Supplements
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Supplements can be a bit of a minefield especially to people new to chameleons, these are the generally accepted supplements suitable for chameleons. That being said the type of uvb/natural sunlight the chameleon receives will affect one major factor of your supplementation routine.
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The factor that will be effected the most is the amount of D3 you will need to provide in your routine.
If kept outside NO D3 supplementation is required, obviously in the UK its unlikely you will be able to keep your chameleon outside all year round so during the winter months you would need to incorporate some D3 to your supplement schedule.
If keeping your chameleon under T8 lighting you would need provide slightly more D3 in your routine than if your using T5 lighting. We do not recommend compact fluorescents for chameleons, these do not provide sufficient uvb for proper growth and self D3 production. In my view you want to provide the best lighting possible so your chameleon can make its own D3 and need less via supplementation, which is much healthier and more natural for them.
I don’t like to say to people just use this supplement without giving reason for doing so, I personally with my panthers and yemens use 4 supplements I will list these first and give a reason for why I use each one, I have fine tuned my routine over the last few years allowing for the improvements in lighting.
Sticky Tongue Farms Miner All Indoor
Is a high quality human grade calcium based supplement with 50 vital minerals for bone health and strength including safe low levels of D3 (this is the only D3 supplement I use ) use every 2nd feed for youngsters and for adults is every third feed which works out about once a week. I reduce this to once a fortnight for my montane species.
Reptivite No D3
Is a multi vitamin which includes preformed vitamin A. I give this supplement once a fortnight (usually mixed with a STF miner all feed as they don’t like the taste!). I like to give this as even though I use the Arcadia all in one calcium and vitamin supplement (see below) because there are only beta caratinoids (pre curser to vitamin a, or what we use to make vitamin a) and its not proven that chameleons can get all of the vitamin a they need from just beta caratinoids.
Arcadia Earth pro A
Is a non toxic zero D3 all in one vitamin and calcium supplement. This is a really good supplement and includes bee pollen which has some really good health benefits such as supporting the immune system. I give this supplement every other week rotated with the reptivite no d3.
Arcadia Earth Pro Ca or miner all outdoor
Is a fine grade natural calcium powder. I use this for the other feeds not covered by the above supplements. Its really important to have a plain calcium as too much of other vitamins such as D3 and vitamin a can cause just as many issues as not including them whereas a little too much plain calcium can be got rid of by the chameleons system with less issues. Also if you keep female egg laying species giving extra plain calcium whilst their gravid aids with laying and keeping their calcium reserves up.
For montane species I supplement with plain calcium one a week then I also, one week I will give arcadia earth pro a and the next week I will give miner all/reptivite mixed.
Verm X for reptiles
Verm x should be included in all species supplementation. It’s a powerful herbal blend that helps keeps parasites at bay. Given on 3 consecutive days once a month.
Repashy LoD
Repashy is an all in one supplement that contains low levels of D3. I do not use this supplement with my chameleons so I cant really comment but I do know that people do use it with success, I don’t like to just use one supplement as I don’t think it covers all things that need to be covered.