• Overall health and well-being
• Age
• Sex
• Environmental conditions.
• Activity level.

Younger and rapidly growing geckos tend to have a higher protein requirement than already established adult leopard geckos.  These younger geckos will require more frequent feedings to ensure the proper development of their muscular and skeletal systems.

Overall energy requirements tend to increase due to a variety of factors including:

• Eating
• Reproduction
• Protein synthesis (such as in wound healing).
• Growth
• Daily activity.

Recommended Feeding Schedule:

• Hatchlings and juveniles should be fed appropriately sized, gut-loaded and supplemented insects daily.
  
  
• Adults should be fed appropriately sized, gut-loaded and supplemented insects every other to every 2 days or 3-4 times per week.
  
  
• Female geckos during breeding season should be fed every 1 to 2 days.
  
  
• Offer your gecko its meals at the same time every day to keep the gecko on a regular schedule.   You may even find your gecko waiting for its food at the same time every day.
  
  
• Best time to feed your gecko is between the dusk and dawn hours (ie during the evening/night/early morning hours).

Leopard Geckos and Obesity

Adult leopard geckos that are fed an excessive amount of calories are prone to obesity.  Obesity is often found as a result of the combination of overfeeding and a lack of exercise.  Obesity can lead to potentially serious health problems down the road if not dealt with promptly, such as Hepatic Lipidiosis (Fatty Liver Disease).  

Keep in mind that if you suspect your leopard gecko may be obese, there are other conditions that can mimic these signs that should be ruled out first.  These could include pregnancy (gravid), tumors or even ascites.  These conditions, including obesity should be discussed with your veterinarian.

The keys to preventing your gecko from becoming obese include:

• Providing a large enclosure to ensure your gecko has lots of room for exercise.
  
  
• Providing cage furniture that will allow the gecko to move around and climb.
  
  
• Providing a proper feeding schedule.
  
  
• Selecting the most appropriate types of prey items (waxworms for example can be very fattening and should only be offered periodically).

Regarding The Provision Of Mealworms

Some people offer to feed their geckos a diet that consists only of mealworms that are left in the enclosure at all times.  Although Dr. Gecko may advise against this, it is important to list a few things to keep in mind:

• Offer the mealworms in a shallow, inescapable enclosure that the gecko can have easy access to.
  
  
• Be sure to dust the mealworms appropriately and provide an additional dish of pure calcium in the enclosure at all times.
  
  
• Replace the mealworms daily with freshly gut-loaded ones.

Using A Feeding Dish

Some people may want to offer their gecko's feeder insects from a feeding dish for any number of reasons.  The best dishes to use typically include:

• Dishes that have smooth sides on the inside
• Glass dishes.
• Small, glazed terra cotta plant saucers.
• Small porcelain or ceramic dishes.

Here are some important guidelines to keep in mind:

• Ensure the dish is high enough so that the insects cannot climb out.
  
  
• Ensure that the dish is low enough that the gecko can easily see what is in it.
  
  
• To offer crickets from a dish, simply pinch the rear hopping legs at the knees and they will automatically be dropped.