7 Best Reptile Calcium Supplements

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. So, it’s no surprise that it’s required by all living organisms, including reptiles. As humans, we’re well aware of the importance of calcium in the body. In addition to bone and tooth health, calcium is essential for blood clotting, muscle contraction, nerve function, and hormone production. It also aids in the transmission of signals from the brain to various body parts.

Perhaps you go out of your way to meet your daily calcium requirements by taking supplements or eating calcium-rich foods. But what about your pet reptiles? How much calcium do they consume? Do they get enough? You’ll need to know the answers to these questions to keep your reptile healthy. Calcium in reptiles is determined by several factors like species, age, and weight. Similar to how humans have many calcium supplements to choose from, pet reptiles also have a plethora of calcium supplement options. Choosing the right one for your pet can be a herculean task but don’t worry, this comprehensive guide is here to save the day.

Top Picks: The Best Reptile Calcium Supplements Today

#1 Best Overall: Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3

The Zoo Med Repti Calcium D3 Reptile Supplement is our top choice for calcium supplements for your reptile. This powdered supplement is ideal for reptiles and amphibians, especially those not using UVB. For reptiles that aren’t getting enough sunlight exposure, this powder is also fortified with Vitamin D3.

Packed with ultrafine precipitated calcium carbonate, this product can also be used as additional supplementation for reptiles receiving UVB if you’re worried about their Vitamin D3 levels. However, you should take care when using it because too much can be dangerous to your reptiles.

The Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3 is free of phosphorus, impurities, and lead. The ultrafine particles have a distinct shape to increase their surface area, which maximizes calcium absorption. It is also super easy to use — just dust your pet’s salads, crickets, or other foods with the powder during their daily meals, and they’ll eat it right up! The powder comes in both 3-ounce and 8-ounce containers.

However, some customers did report that this powder can be messy, and you might need a spoon or a small scoop since the powder is so fine.

Pros and Cons of the Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3

Best Overall

Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3 Reptile Supplement

• Powdered calcium supplement
• Formulated for reptiles and amphibians, especially those without UVB
• Contains 22,907IU per kg of Cholecalciferol
• Provides the required amount of vitamin D3
• Available in 3- and 8-ounce containers.

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2. Best Liquid: Exo Terra Calcium Liquid

What’s better than one essential mineral? Two essential minerals — Exo Terra Calcium has both calcium and magnesium. While calcium supports bone health, the calcitonin hormone is stimulated by magnesium and promotes healthy bone density.

Exo Terra formulated its liquid supplement with 8% highly absorbable elemental calcium and 1% magnesium to maintain the bone structure of reptiles and amphibians. Because it’s a liquid, it goes directly into the small intestine and pet reptiles can absorb it better. It’s a great choice for pets who have trouble getting enough calcium and for pets who struggle with powdered supplements.  

This supplement should not be applied to your pet’s food. Instead, you just add two drops per 30 milliliters to their drinking water. Customers report that the bottle lasts a long time. A small handful of users did say that their reptiles didn’t like the taste, but overall most customers said that this supplement worked great for their pets.

Pros and Cons of the Exo Terra Calcium Liquid

Best Liquid

Exo Terra Exo Terra Calcium Liquid with Magnesium

• This formula features two essential minerals: calcium and magnesium.
• Calcium supports bone health and magnesium stimulates the calcitonin hormone, which promotes healthy bone density.
• Its liquid formula is absorbed quickly
• Simply add 2 drops per 30ml to your pet reptile's drinking water
• It's an excellent option for reptiles that don't like powder supplements

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3. Best for Indoor Reptiles: Fluker’s Calcium Reptile Supplement with Vitamin D3

The Flucker’s Calcium Reptile supplement is suited for indoor lizards, turtles, snakes, and frogs. Compared to their outdoor relatives, indoor reptiles don’t have as much access to the sun or live prey in their diet. As a result, they must find other ways to get their vitamin D3. They can either get it from UVB-emitting bulbs or supplements that contain Vitamin D3. While using both methods can guarantee a better result, it’s important to consult a veterinarian for proper dosage.

Along with other important bodily functions, this product ensures your pet’s bones are healthy, strong, and free from the notorious metabolic bone disease (MBD). The product comes in a 2-ounce or 4-ounce container and lasts for quite a while. It’s easy to use — the powder is super fine and easy to sprinkle on your pet’s food or use to dust food items like crickets.

However, some customers reported that since the powder is so fine it can make a mess, especially if you have aquatic turtles.

Pros and Cons of Fluker’s Calcium Reptile Supplement with Vitamin D3

Best for Indoor Reptiles

Fluker's Calcium with Vitamin D3 Indoor Reptile Supplement

• Indoor reptiles can get vitamin D3 from UVB-emitting bulbs or supplements that contain vitamin D3
• This supplement is specially formulated for indoor lizards, turtles, snakes, and frogs
• It can help protect against metabolic bone disease (MBD), among other health issues
• Consult with your veterinarian to help determine the correct dosage for your pet

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4. Best Powder: Repashy Calcium Plus Vitamin and Calcium Supplement

Looking for the perfect powder calcium supplement for your pet reptile? Repashy Calcium Plus is the best all-in-one product for the job. Made entirely from natural calcium carbonate and containing no additives, this product provides dietary calcium and prevents deficiencies. It also has added vitamins, trace minerals, and carotenoids. The powder has excellent adhesion to both live insects and plant material, thanks to its micro-fine particle size of 3.5 microns. You can buy it in a 6-ounce or 17.6-ounce size.

Sprinkle over vegetable matter just before feeding tortoises and other herbivorous reptiles. When you’re using insects, put a small quantity in a plastic bag with the insects and give the bag a gentle shake. It’s recommended that the pet is fed while Repashy Calcium Plus is still stuck to the insects. The only downside for some is the banana scent from the added “fruit flavors”, which some picky eaters may not like.

Pros and Cons of the Repashy Calcium Plus Vitamin and Calcium Supplement

Best Powder

Repashy Calcium Plus Vitamin and Calcium Supplement

• Made from natural calcium carbonate
• Micro ground for maximum "stick" on feeder insects and plant material
• Provides your pet's calcium requirements
• Fortified with vitamins, trace minerals, and carotenoids
• Available in 6-ounce and 17.6-ounce containers

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5. Best for Tortoises: Zoo Med Tortoise Block

Yes, some calcium supplements come in the form of blocks! Formulated with calcium, spineless cactus, dried carrot, and other vegetables, the Zoo Med Tortoise Block supplements your tortoise’s diet and prevents beak overgrowth. The block helps to prevent your tortoise’s beak from overgrowing. It also contains nutrient-dense vegetables that nourish tortoises while they chew the block. The block also acts as a form of enrichment, as your tortoise has to chew through it to get to the food inside.

However, not every tortoise will enjoy this block. Some customers suggest breaking it open so that your pet can see what’s inside. In addition, be sure that you replace the block once it has been eaten up or if it gets dirty or wet to prevent bacteria growth.

Pros and Cons of the Zoo Med Tortoise Block

Best for Tortoises

Zoo Med Banquet Block Tortoise Supplement

• This formula is in block form
• Contains calcium, spineless cactus, dried carrots, and other veggies
• Helps to prevent beak overgrowth
• Nutrient-dense
• Replace if it gets dirty or wet

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6. Best for Reptiles With UVB Lighting: Rep-Cal Calcium Powder Without Vitamin D3

The Rep-Cal Calcium Powder Without Vitamine D3 is made for reptiles that have plenty of UVB lighting. This product only contains naturally occurring calcium carbonate that is phosphorus-free. It’s the best-suited supplement for reptiles that have appropriate exposure to UVB lighting or those raised under natural sunlight.

Reptiles and amphibians that are kept in captivity often have a big problem with not getting enough calcium. However, it’s not just important to have enough calcium, it’s also important to have the right balance of calcium and phosphorus. This balance should be around 1.5 parts calcium to one part phosphorus. Rep-Cal Calcium Powder Without Vitamin D3 contains only 100% natural phosphorus-free oyster shell calcium carbonate to help with this balance and prevent an overdose.

The powder is easy to use and can be mixed into a paste, sprinkled on food, or used to dust insects. However, it can also be a bit messy. In addition, if your reptiles are not exposed to regular, unfiltered sunlight, you should use Rep-Cal Calcium with Vitamin D3 instead.

Pros and Cons of the Rep-Cal Calcium Powder Without Vitamin D3

Best for Reptiles With UVB Lighting

Rep-Cal Calcium Ultrafine Powder Reptile Supplement

• This product helps to prevent calcium deficiency
• It's made with phosphorus-free, naturally occurring calcium carbonate
• It's formulated for reptiles that are raised under natural sunlight or have appropriate UVB lighting exposure

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7. Best Food Spray: Zilla Reptile Health Supplies Calcium Supplement Food Spray

To cover any dietary gaps that may be caused by UVA and UVB lighting, the Zilla Reptile Health Supplies Calcium Supplement Food Spray is a viable option to supplement your pet’s nutrition. This spray-on formula can be sprayed directly onto your pet’s food as a daily supplement.

If needed, you can also administer it orally with just a few drops to treat common calcium deficiencies. The supplement gets quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. However, some animals will also need UVA and UVB light exposure in order to process the calcium. 

Some picky eaters may not like the taste of this spray. In addition, customers reported that the spray bottle often gets clogged.

Pros and Cons of the Zilla Reptile Health Supplies Calcium Supplement Food Spray

Best Food Spray

Zilla Food Spray Calcium Reptile Supplement

• This spray is formulated to fill calcium gaps not met by UVA and UVB lighting
• Can be administered orally as droplets or sprayed on your pet's food
• It's easily absorbed into some pets' bloodstreams, though some species require UVA and UVB light exposure to process calcium

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

There are some important things to consider when you are choosing a calcium supplement for your reptile, including:

• Vitamin D3
• Quality
• Additional ingredients
• Form

Vitamin D3

By now, you have no doubt that calcium is as important to your pet reptile as it is to you. However, cholecalciferol, a form of vitamin D3, aids in its absorption. Before buying a calcium supplement for your pet, be sure to check the concentration of Vitamin D3. With this, you can make an informed purchase decision depending on whether or not your pet reptile is exposed to UVB lighting. 

Quality

This is another factor to consider when choosing a calcium supplement for your pet. Some products barely contain ingredients with nutritional value. You have to check for a clear indication of what the supplement provides and if there are fillers on the ingredient list.

Additional ingredients

In addition to calcium, some supplements also contain other vitamins or minerals that you may or may not want to feed your reptile. Some of these include Vitamin A, carotenoids, phosphorus, natural fruit flavors, and Vitamin D3.

Form

Reptile calcium supplements come in many forms. You will need to think about what is not only easiest for you, but what your reptile pet prefers. This may take some trial and error to see what your pet likes. There are powders that can be sprinkled on plants and dusted on insects. You can also provide reptiles with a small dish filled with calcium powder that they can lick up whenever they want. Liquid supplements can be added to your pet’s drinking water and given orally. Some can also be sprayed directly on your pet’s food. There are also solid blocks that are commonly used for reptiles like tortoises, who have to chew through the solid calcium to get to the treats inside.