Calcium (Ca)
Reptiles, amphibians, and other pets require calcium for strong and healthy bones, including teeth as well as for other physiological functions like muscle functioning, nerve impulse transmission, heartbeat regulation, metabolism, among others.
A deficiency in this mineral will result in hypocalcemia (low blood calcium level) and other disease and conditions, including metabolic bone diseases. Hypocalcemia will cause muscle twitches, lethargy, and neurological symptoms in severe cases.
Phosphorus and oxalic acid in diets, vitamin D, the bioavailable amount in food, and so on will influence how much calcium these pets absorb. Phosphorus and oxalic acid bind with this mineral while in the stomach hence reduce bioavailability.
Vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol
As you have seen, calcium is quite vital for your pets. On the other hand, vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) helps in its absorption. Besides dietary sources, any pet that requires UV light to make cholecalciferol should get cholecalciferol supplements too.
Best calcium with or without vitamin D3 supplements for reptiles
We have seen the essence of supplementation with this mineral and cholecalciferol. If you need them, most of these supplements are available liquid, spray, or powdered forms.
Besides, some veterinarians may recommend liquid calcium gluconate absorbed quickly or bone meal as it is easy to know how much you have added.
Finally, you need to decide if you want those with or those without vitamin D3. You don’t have to buy those with it if your reptile or amphibian doesn’t require UV light or has enough UV light mainly from the sun.
The best calcium supplements (powders, liquids, and sprays) without or without vitamin D3 include the following:
1. Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3 review
Made by Zoo Med, this brand is ideal reptiles and amphibians, and should you be your first choice if you have any of these pets that UVB light or cholecalciferol to assimilate calcium effectively.
Key benefits
- Has safe levels of cholecalciferol (D3)
- It contains highly bioavailable calcium carbonate, i.e., with a high surface per gram for maximum absorption.
- Has no phosphorus free
- It has no harmful impurities or oyster shell
- It is worth every penny you spend on it.
Composition: 38-43% ultra-fine precipitated calcium carbonate and 1% moisture, and 10,390 IU of vitamin D3.
2. Rep-Cal Phosphorous-Free Calcium with Vitamin D Ultrafine Powder
Maintaining the correct calcium to phosphorus ratio that should be above 1.5:1 or ideally 2:1 in captive pets is not easy since most of their diets, especially live feeder insects, have a higher amount of phosphorus.
Therefore, this calls for the supplementation to correct the Ca:P ratio. This Rep-Cal Phosphorous-Free supplement will do just that!
Key benefits
- Unlike the original formula, this product its grinding is so finely to ensure this mineral is optimally bioavailable, and it is easy to use.
- Scientists use 100% all-natural human-grade calcium carbonate from oyster shells that do not have any phosphorus in making it.
- It has a perfect vitamin D3 balance that will ensure better absorption of calcium if your pet requires it or UVB light.
- If you mixed with Rep-Cal Herptivite, you do not need any other supplement.
- It is worth the money you spend on it.
3. Fluker’s Repta Calcium with vitamin D3
Fluker’s Repta Calcium powder is a premium source of this mineral and cholecalciferol for indoor lizards, turtle, snakes, and frogs. It will ensure your pet’s bones are not only strong but also healthy and prevent metabolic bone disease, among other essential body functions.
It is affordable, well-rated by users, and quite efficient. These attributes and many others make it one of the must-have supplements.
4. Zoo Med Repti Calcium without D3
This Zoo Med calcium without D3 for reptiles is ideal for pets that do not require cholecalciferol or UVB to effectively assimilate this vital mineral, i.e., those that can meet their vitamin D3 naturally.
Additionally, this supplement:
- It has a large surface area per gram (ultra-fine precipitation), making it efficient, highly bioavailable, and easy to use.
- It is made from oyster shell calcium and does not have any harmful contaminants.
- Has no phosphorus
- Will give you value for your money.
5. Exo Terra Reptile Calcium with vitamin D3
This brand comes in an ultra-fine powder made of calcium carbonate, vitamin D3 supplement, and oyster shell flour. It is ideal for reptiles and amphibians don’t get enough sunlight, UVB light or D3.
Key benefits
- Its ultra-fine formulation is efficient and easy to use.
- It is phosphorus-free
- It has a balanced amount of cholecalciferol that will ensure optimum calcium absorption
- Good value for money, considering its cost.
6. Zilla Calcium Supplement Reptile Food Spray
Made by Zilla, using this food spray is an excellent way of ensuring your pets get essential this mineral. You can give them by either spraying it on your pet’s food or giving them droplets directly into their mouth if they have a calcium deficiency.
It is ideal for your pet amphibians and reptiles, including your water dragons, bearded dragons, tegus, geckos, skinks, boas, monitors, corn snakes, pythons, green iguanas, king snakes, toads, hermit crabs, tortoise, and turtle.
Key features
- Its liquid spray-on formulation makes it easy to use. Just mist your pet’s food 15 seconds before giving them.
- It is readily absorbed and assimilated into the body and bones.
- Value for money
Note that some pets may require UVB light and vitamin D3 to absorb it effectively.
7. Fluker’s Calcium Without Vitamin D3 Supplement
If you have reptiles or amphibians that have adequate sunlight, a sufficient UVB light, or do not require cholecalciferol to absorb and assimilate calcium, this is the ideal supplement for you.
Besides supporting other body functions, this supplement that has powdered calcium carbonate will ensure your pets have strong, healthy bones as well as live longer.
It is easy to use, highly absorbable, and it will give you real value for each penny you spend on it.
8. Fluker Liquid Calcium Reptile Supplement
This concentrated liquid calcium supplement will support robust, healthy bones preventing instances of metabolic bone disease that cause pain, deformity, and even death.
It is easy you use. You need to add about 2.5 ml (half a teaspoon) to your pet’s drinking water bowls daily and add the same amount to their food thrice weekly.
Finally, besides strong, healthy bones, this mineral has other vital body functions, including supporting muscle function and nerve signaling.
9. Exo Terra Calcium Liquid Supplement
This Exo Terra calcium-magnesium liquid reptile and amphibians supplement contains 8% elemental calcium in the form of calcium chloride and lactate as well as 1% magnesium occurring as magnesium chloride. Unlike other supplements that you apply to their food, you should add it to their drinking water at a rate of 2 drops per 30ml.
Key benefits
- It has both calcium and magnesium, which regulate muscle contraction, production of hormones, and signaling of nerves.
- It has highly absorbable calcium, a mineral forms part of your pet’s bone matrix besides its many other vital roles.
- Magnesium stimulates calcitonin production. The calcitonin hormone will promote a healthy bone density.
- Its liquid formation promotes not only quick absorption but also assimilation.
10. Komodo Bearded Dragon Dusting Powder
While its name may suggest it is only suitable for bearded dragons, the reality is that this dusting powder is for any insectivorous reptiles and amphibians, including your water dragons, turtle, leopard geckos, chameleons, and so on.
This Komodo cricket dust supplement contains 99% pure calcium, and it easy to use. You need to dust it to your pet’s feeder insects.
Finally, only use for outdoor pets sufficiently exposed to the sun. If indoor, ensure recommended UVB lighting or use vitamin D3 to promote its absorption.
11. Rep-Cal Calcium – Phosphorus and Vitamin D3 Free
Most reptiles and amphibians living in captivity often suffer from calcium deficiency. Furthermore, most of their diets, especially feeder insects such as crickets, mealworms, pinky mouse or waxworms, are high in phosphorus and low in this mineral.
Giving your pets bone meal will not help much since it also has phosphorus. Therefore, one of the most effective ways to ensure correct calcium to phosphorus ratio is to use this phosphorus-free Rep-Cal supplement.
However, only buy it if your pets do not require vitamin D3 or UVB light to absorb this mineral or have enough UVB light or cholecalciferol supplement.
