What Do Frogs Eat? A Feeding Guide for Pet Frogs and Toads
Carolina Cricket Farm
By Carolina Cricket Farm · Last updated November 3, 2026
What do frogs eat? Frogs and toads are carnivores that eat live prey that moves. In the wild that means insects, spiders, worms and, for big frogs, even small animals. Pet frogs do well on gut-loaded crickets, roaches and worms dusted with calcium, sized smaller than the frog's head. Tiny frogs and froglets need pinhead crickets or fruit flies.
Top photo: David Clode / Unsplash
Frog feeding guide by type
| Frog type | Staple feeders | Banded cricket size | How often (published ranges) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacman / horned frog | Crickets, Dubia, earthworms | Small 1/4-3/8" (juveniles) up to Large 3/4" (adults); size to the width of the frog's head | Juveniles daily; adults 1-2 times a week (PetMD) | Prone to overeating; feed with tongs |
| White's tree frog | Crickets, roaches | Small, then Medium 1/2" or Large 3/4" for adults; size to the width of the frog's head | Adults 2-3 times a week | Prone to obesity |
| Red-eyed, green and gray tree frogs | Crickets, small roaches | Small 1/4-3/8" to Medium 1/2"; size to the width of the frog's head | Adults 2-3 times a week | Feed in the evening |
| Toads (American, fire-bellied) | Crickets, worms, roaches | Pinheads 1/8" (toadlets) to Medium 1/2"; size to the width of the frog's head | Adults 2-3 times a week | Fire-bellied toads take smaller prey |
| Dart frogs | Fruit flies, springtails | Pinheads 1/16" (larger species only) | Daily or every other day | See our dart frog feeding guide |
| Froglets (any species) | Fruit flies, springtails, pinheads | Pinheads 1/16"-1/8" | Daily | Size down |
Ranges from published amphibian care guidance (PetMD, Pet Advocacy Network, Merck Veterinary Manual, Little Critters Veterinary Hospital). Ask a veterinarian who treats amphibians about your frog. Our feeding calculator also has a frog and amphibian option.
Feeding a frog? Shop banded crickets from 1/16" pinheads to adults.
Jump to: In the wild · Pet frogs · Pacman frogs · Tree frogs · Toads · Dart frogs · Froglets · How often · FAQ
What Do Frogs Eat in the Wild?
Wild frogs eat mostly insects, spiders, worms and slugs, and large frogs also take small animals such as mice, fish or other frogs (Britannica). Tadpoles of most species graze mainly on algae. If you see a wild frog or toad, leave it where it is. Don't feed it or take it home.
What Do Pet Frogs Eat?
Insects make up most of a pet frog's diet: crickets, flightless fruit flies, larvae and roaches. Larger species such as horned frogs can have an occasional small rodent (Pet Advocacy Network; Merck Veterinary Manual). For most frog keepers, live banded crickets and Dubia roaches are easy staples.
The size rule: prey should be no bigger than the width of the frog's head. Prey that is too large can cause choking or a blockage. When in doubt, size down.
Gut-load and dust: gut-load crickets before feeding, then dust them with a calcium and vitamin supplement. How often to dust ranges from daily for very young frogs to once or twice a week for adults (Pet Advocacy Network), so follow your vet's plan. Amphibians also need a source of vitamin A (Merck Veterinary Manual). Here is how to keep crickets alive between feedings.
What Do Pacman Frogs Eat?
Pacman (horned) frogs are carnivores. Adult males reach about 3-4" and females about 4-8" (PetMD). Gut-loaded crickets, Dubia roaches and earthworms are common staples, and adults can have a frozen-thawed rodent every other week (PetMD). They are ambush feeders, so feeding tongs work well and save your fingers from a bite.
Pacman frogs overeat easily, and obesity is common. PetMD advises feeding juveniles daily and adults one to two times a week (PetMD). Offer a few appropriately sized insects per meal rather than a big pile.
Sizes: Small 1/4-3/8" banded crickets for juveniles; Large 3/4" for adults; Dubia in Medium or Large. Dubia roaches are not available in Florida.
What Do Tree Frogs Eat?
Crickets are the usual staple for tree frogs, with roaches and other insects for variety. Many tree frogs hunt at night, so feed in the evening. Release a few insects at a time or offer them in a dish, then remove leftovers.
- White's tree frogs are prone to obesity, so feed measured amounts and watch body condition.
- Red-eyed tree frogs take smaller crickets than White's tree frogs.
- For every species, size to the width of the frog's head.
What Do Toads Eat?
Wild toads eat insects, slugs and worms. Pet toads, such as American and fire-bellied toads, eat crickets, roaches and worms. Fire-bellied toads are semi-aquatic and take smaller crickets. Baby toadlets need pinhead crickets.
Found a toad in the yard? Let it go. Wild toads help control garden pests and shouldn't be kept as pets.
What Do Dart Frogs Eat?
Dart frogs eat tiny prey: flightless fruit flies and springtails are the staples. Pinhead crickets work only for larger species and adults that can swallow them comfortably.
For feeder choices, sizes and dusting tips, see our dart frog feeding guide.
What Do Baby Frogs and Froglets Eat?
Newly morphed froglets need very small live prey: fruit flies, springtails and pinhead crickets (1/16" for the tiniest, 1/8" as they grow). Feed a little, often, every day.
Tiny frog? Our pinheads start at 1/16".
How Often Should You Feed a Pet Frog?
Feed juveniles daily or every other day. Adults usually eat 2-3 times a week, adjusted for species and body condition (Little Critters Veterinary Hospital; Pet Advocacy Network). Pacman frogs need even fewer meals as adults. Remove uneaten insects after each feeding. If your frog loses weight or stops eating, see a veterinarian who treats amphibians.
Why Banded Crickets for Frogs
Our banded crickets (Gryllodes sigillatus) are virus-free, and banded crickets are naturally resistant to the house-cricket virus (AdDNV). We use a special high-quality cricket feed and have a state-of-the-art watering system. This farm has raised crickets since 1957, now carried on by our family. We raise every size from 1/16" pinheads to 3/4"-1"+ adults, so one farm can feed a frog from froglet to full grown. Orders ship UPS Ground or 1-2 Day, Monday through Thursday, to the lower 48 states.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do frogs eat?
Frogs eat live prey that moves. Wild frogs eat insects, spiders, worms and slugs, and big frogs eat small animals. Pet frogs do well on gut-loaded, calcium-dusted crickets, roaches and worms sized smaller than the frog's head.
What do pet frogs eat?
Most pet frogs eat gut-loaded live insects dusted with a calcium and vitamin supplement. Crickets and roaches are common staples, and tiny frogs eat fruit flies, springtails and pinhead crickets. Size prey to the width of the frog's head.
What do pacman frogs eat?
Pacman frogs eat gut-loaded crickets, Dubia roaches and earthworms. Adults can have a frozen-thawed rodent every other week. They overeat easily, so feed juveniles daily and adults one to two times a week.
What do tree frogs eat?
Tree frogs eat crickets as a staple, plus roaches and other insects for variety. Many species hunt at night, so feed in the evening and remove leftovers. Size crickets to the width of the frog's head.
What do toads eat?
Wild toads eat insects, slugs and worms. Pet toads, such as American and fire-bellied toads, eat crickets, roaches and worms. Fire-bellied toads take smaller crickets, and toadlets need pinhead crickets.
What do baby frogs eat?
Baby frogs and froglets eat very small live prey every day: fruit flies, springtails and pinhead crickets, 1/16" for the tiniest and 1/8" as they grow.
Can frogs eat dead crickets?
Most frogs won't, because they strike at movement. Pacman frogs are often fed with tongs, and adults will take frozen-thawed rodents that way. For insects, offer live, gut-loaded crickets.
Do African dwarf frogs eat crickets?
No. African dwarf frogs are fully aquatic and eat foods made for aquatic frogs. Follow an African dwarf frog care sheet or ask a vet who treats amphibians.
Should I feed a wild frog or toad?
No. Leave wild frogs and toads alone. They find their own food, and many help control garden pests. Don't take them home as pets.
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