If you’ve noticed some strange orange spots around your crested gecko’s enclosure, you may be wondering – is that pee? Crested geckos do indeed pee, and their urine often has an orange or reddish color.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Crested geckos pee a liquid urate that is orange or reddish in color. This is normal and not a cause for concern. The color comes from uric acid in their urine.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about crested gecko pee – from what causes the orange color to how to clean it up.
What Causes the Orange Color in Crested Gecko Pee?
Uric Acid
The main cause of the bright orange color in crested gecko urine is a waste product called uric acid. Uric acid is formed when protein is broken down during digestion. Unlike humans who excrete urea in their urine, reptiles like crested geckos excrete uric acid as their primary nitrogenous waste.
Uric acid is relatively insoluble in water and forms a paste or sludge when concentrated in the urinary tract. This pasty, orange substance is what gives crested gecko pee its distinct colorful appearance.
Uric acid levels in the urine can vary based on factors like diet, hydration, and health. Eating foods rich in protein, such as feeder insects or certain powdered diets, provides more amino acids that will be broken down into uric acid during digestion.
Dehydration leads to less dilute, more concentrated urine. Certain medical conditions like gout or kidney disease can also increase uric acid levels in crested gecko urine.
Normal crested gecko urine can range from pale yellow to bright reddish-orange. Dark brown, black, green, or red urine can be a sign of a medical problem and should be evaluated by an exotic veterinarian.
But those bright orange splotches you find around your gecko’s habitat are perfectly normal and no cause for concern!
Food Dyes
In addition to uric acid, concentrated food dyes can also contribute to the bright coloration of crested gecko urine. Many commercial crested gecko diets contain artificial dyes to color the powdered food mixture. Common dyes include carotenoids like beta carotene and canthaxanthin.
As geckos digest these pigmented compounds, some of the dyes get excreted out in the urine and stain it a vibrant orange hue.
This effect is most noticeable when feeding diets high in artificial coloring, like products with a strong orange tint. Pangea and Repashy brand crested gecko foods often use natural colorings like marigold flower extract rather than synthetic dyes.
Switching to these more naturally colored diets can result in paler yellow urates rather than bright orange.
The concentration of uric acid is still the primary factor affecting urine color. But for very bright, neon orange urine, the artificial food dyes likely contribute and enhance this effect. So consider choosing a more naturally colored crested gecko diet if you want to reduce colorant staining in your gecko’s pee.
Is the Orange Pee Normal or a Sign of a Health Issue?
Orange Pee is Usually Normal
Seeing orange urine in your crested gecko’s enclosure is usually not cause for concern. Crested geckos are unique in that their urine often contains a orange pigment called uric acid. This pigment is what gives their pee an orange or reddish-orange color.
Uric acid is a normal waste product that helps reptiles conserve water. So orange crested gecko pee is generally a normal sign of a healthy gecko.
In fact, clear or white urates (the solid part of their pee) can actually be a bad sign, as this may indicate a problem with hydration or certain diseases. As long as your gecko’s orange pee is relatively thick and pasty, with no unusual odor, this is considered normal.
Some factors that can cause variations in the color include:
- Diet – Eating certain foods like carrots can impart an orange hue.
- Dehydration – Can make the urates thicker and darker orange.
- Hydration Levels – Well-hydrated geckos will have more liquidy, dilute pee.
So in most cases, there is no need to panic if you see bright tangerine-colored gecko pee in your vivarium. It’s simply a healthy gecko doing its business!
When to See a Vet
While orange urine is normal, there are some exceptions where a visit to the reptile vet may be required:
- Drastic color change – If the pee is suddenly neon orange or red, this could indicate blood or issues with the liver/kidneys.
- Runny consistency – Very watery or thin urine can signal kidney disease or diabetes.
- Strong odor – Foul-smelling urine is never normal and may suggest an infection.
- Difficulty urinating – Straining, dribbling pee, or not peeing at all are signs of blockage.
- behavio1ral changes – Lethargy, loss of appetite, etc. along with odd urine may indicate illness.
So keep an eye on the pee during routine cage cleanings. As long as it remains thick, orange, and odor-free, your gecko is likely perfectly healthy. But call your exotic vet if you notice any concerning changes to make sure nothing serious is going on.
How Often Do Crested Geckos Pee?
Peeing frequency varies quite a bit among crested geckos. On average, a healthy adult gecko will urinate once every 1-3 days. However, babies and juveniles tend to pee more frequently since they are still growing and eating more. Here are some general guidelines on crested gecko peeing:
- Babies: May pee multiple times per day
- Juveniles: Usually pee every 1-2 days
- Adults: Typically pee every 2-3 days
- Seniors: May go longer between pees, like 3-4 days
There are a few factors that affect how often crested geckos pee:
- Age – Younger geckos pee more as they are developing and eating more.
- Size – Larger geckos tend to pee less frequently than smaller ones.
- Temperature – Warmer temperatures increase gecko metabolism and water intake, resulting in more frequent urination.
- Diet – Geckos fed juicy fruits pee more than those eating dry diets.
- Health – Sick geckos may pee excessively or not at all.
So pee frequency varies, but healthy adult crested geckos will usually pee every couple of days. Knowing what’s normal for your gecko allows you to spot potential health issues.
Signs Your Gecko May Not Be Peeing Enough
While crested geckos don’t pee constantly like humans, long stretches without urinating could signal dehydration or health problems. Here are signs your gecko might not be peeing enough:
- Not having peed for 5+ days
- Appearing lethargic or sleepy
- Wrinkled skin
- Sunken eyes
- Weight loss
- Little to no feces
Geckos are quite resilient, but chronic dehydration stresses their bodies. Ensure your crested gecko is getting 10-12 hours of daylight to stimulate activity and appetite. Provide a sturdy shallow water dish that’s cleaned and topped off daily.
Feed juicy fruits like mango, figs, and baby food a few times per week. Using a hygrometer to monitor tank humidity between 50-60% also encourages drinking.
If your gecko is showing any symptoms of dehydration, a reptile vet visit is recommended. With veterinary guidance, mild dehydration can often be reversed by providing supplemental fluids. But diagnosing and treating any underlying health issues is key.
So observe your crested gecko’s pee habits closely and act quickly on any concerns!
Where Do Crested Geckos Pee?
Places Geckos Frequently Pee
Crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus) often urinate in areas they frequent. Popular spots include hides, foliage, feeding ledges, and vines. A 2020 survey by The Bio Dude found 78% of crestie owners reported finding pee inside hides within the vivarium.
Geckos use sheltered spots not just for security, but for dual purpose as toilets. When exploring outside hides, foliage pads soaked in urine are other typical targets. Cresties are quite mobile and make use of vertical space, leading to pee in unexpected spots like vines.
Litter Training Your Gecko
Is it possible to litter train cresties? Success here varies by individual gecko. Some recommend placing urination pads strategically in frequented toilet areas. Other owners opt for easy-clean slate tile substrates paired with absorbent moss pits for moisture and waste.
Anecdotal evidence from the r/CrestedGecko subreddit community suggests consistent gentle relocation to designated toilet areas after observance of urination over time may curb wayward peeing. Just don’t be surprised if your gecko still pops the occasional squat elsewhere.
As gecko expert Arcadia Reptile’s founder John Courteney-Smith says, “You can lead a gecko to litter, but you can’t make it pee.”
How to Clean Up Crested Gecko Pee
Removing Pee From Inside the Enclosure
Crested geckos are adorable little lizards, but they do pee a lot! While their waste is not smelly, it can quickly build up inside their enclosure and become an unsanitary mess. Thankfully, cleaning crested gecko pee is easy with the right tools and techniques.
Here’s how to remove pee from inside your crested gecko’s habitat.
Start by removing all decor items, substrates, and your gecko from the enclosure. Place your gecko in a temporary holding container while you clean. Then, use paper towels or a soft cloth to soak up excess urine.
For stuck-on stains, use a pet-safe cleaner like diluted vinegar or unscented baby wipes to scrub the enclosure clean. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that helps eliminate odor-causing bacteria. Allow all surfaces to dry completely before returning items and your gecko.
To help reduce future mess, use paper towel or newspaper as a substrate rather than loose particles like sand or eco earth. The smooth surface won’t absorb urine like particles will. Replace the paper daily or every other day. You can also place absorbent puppy pee pads under common “potty” spots.
Pads pull moisture away from surfaces and contain odors. Change them out as needed when soiled.
For extra assurance, clean the entire enclosure at least once a month with pet-safe cleaners. This prevents long-term urine buildup that can be hard to remove. With routine spot cleaning and monthly deep cleans, you can keep your gecko’s home fresh!
Getting Pee Out of Fabric Items
Crested geckos may also occasionally pee on fabric items like hammocks, hides, or your clothes. To clean peed-on fabrics:
- Rinse or soak the item in cold water to dilute the urine.
- Treat with an enzymatic pet cleaner. These break down organic waste compounds.
- Wash on a cold, gentle cycle with an animal-safe detergent.
- For tough stains, let the item soak for 30+ minutes in a vinegar solution before washing.
- Air dry the fabric if possible rather than machine drying.
With the right cleaning methods, you can get pesky gecko pee out of any fabric. Pet stains don’t stand a chance against vinegar, enzymatic cleaners, and a little elbow grease. Just be patient and allow plenty of time for soaking and rinsing.
With a few washes, your hammocks and clothing will be fresh, clean, and pee-free once again!
Conclusion
In summary, the orange color in crested gecko urine is normal and caused by uric acid. Peeing frequency varies but abnormal urination may indicate a health issue. Crested geckos often pee in their food and water dishes. Cleaning up after your gecko is important to keep their habitat sanitary.
With this guide, you now have a detailed overview of everything relating to crested gecko pee. Understanding your pet’s bathroom habits will help you keep them healthy and happy.