Green Iguana
Diet
This is the single most difficult area to manage in the pet iguana. The most common disease problem that we see in pet iguanas is calcium and/or Vitamin D deficiency, which lead to stunted growth, softened and broken bones, muscle tremors, seizures and death. Juvenile iguanas have different dietary requirements than adult iguanas, and this whole subject is still a basis for much discussion. There are now available on the market various pelleted, ground and frozen iguana diets, many claiming to be “complete”.
It is dangerous to use any of these foods as the total diet because dietary deficiencies are still seen even with their glowing claims. If prepackaged diets are used, they should comprise no more than 75% of the total diet with the remaining 25% fed in the form of plant material (see examples of plant material below). Vitamin and mineral supplementation may be eliminated altogether because the prepackaged diets already contain these materials.

If you are making up a diet of your own, you may want to follow these guidelines. (Again, we urge you to consult The General Care and Maintenance of the Green Iguana by Philippe de Vosjoli for additional suggestions.)

Juvenile “baby” iguanas (less than a foot in length from nose to vent – exclude the tail) can be fed a diet of 20% plant protein along with a variety of leafy vegetables, non-leafy vegetables and fruits. They should be fed daily.

Medium “adolescent” iguanas (1-1.5 foot in length from nose to vent – exclude the tail) can be fed about 15% protein and the rest as in the juvenile. These should still be fed daily.

Large adult iguanas (1.5 foot in length from nose to vent – exclude the tail or any time growth has stopped) can be fed 10% protein in the diet. Some adult pets may only eat 2 to 3 times a week. Concentrate on the leafy veggies and limit high phosphorus foods like zucchini and carrots.

All food should be chopped up in small pieces and mixed well and fed only in amounts that will be eaten within a few hours to ensure that ALL foods are eaten and ALL the supplements are taken in.

Examples of protein foods: tofu, rabbit, guinea pig or alfalfa pellets (put into a blender dry, ground into a powder and sprinkled over the food), wheat grass and alfalfa sprouts. WE NO LONGER RECOMMEND USING ANIMAL PROTEIN SUCH AS DOG FOOD OR TROUT CHOW IN THE GREEN IGUANA DIET. Although the use of animal protein has caused rapid growth as a youngster, it is now one of the factors suspected of causing kidney disease as the animal ages.

Examples of plant material: Use at least 50% of the plant material as dark green leafy vegetables such as mustard greens, dandelion greens, kale, Swiss chard, endive, romaine lettuce, carrot tops, turnip and beet greens. This is to satisfy not only the dietary fiber requirements but also the calcium requirements. One should use a MINIMUM of three different greens daily. The excessive use of only one or two items may lead to nutritional disease. The rest of the plant material can be vegetables such as squash (of any type), green beans, pea pods, tomatoes, broccoli, okra, carrots, cooked sweet potatoes and fruits such as papayas, mangos, berries, melons and bananas. The more items mixed together, the greater the chances that nutrition is covered adequately.

Vitamin-mineral supplements may be advised when not using any prepackaged iguana foods and when otherwise on an excellent diet. (In cases of nutritional disease you may be instructed to use different guidelines):

Calcium/Vitamin D tablets: For baby and adolescent iguanas use a chunk the size of their eye every other day. For adult iguanas use the same amount, but only give 1-2 times a week. Buy chewable tablets as they are accepted more readily.

Calcium/Vitamin D powder: For babies and adolescents use approximately 1/16 tsp per every 6 inches of body length (exclude the tail) every other day. For adults, use the same amount but only 1-2 times a week.

Calcium only supplement: This is probably preferable for daily or frequent use as it prevents the potential overdose of vitamin D. Neocalglucon is a readily available, safe source of calcium that is a very palatable liquid. Use approximately .10 cc per each 100-200 grams of body weight daily or every other day in babies and juveniles. Use tone 1-2 times a week in adults.

Multivitamin supplement: For babies and adolescents use approximately 1/16 tsp per every 6 inches of body length (exclude the tail) every other day. For adults, use the same amount but only 2-3 times a week.

REMEMBER, THE BETTER AND MORE VARIED YOUR PET’S NATURAL DIET IS, THE LESS DEPENDENT YOUR PET WILL NEED TO BE ON SUPPLEMENTS. OVERSUPPLEMENTATION OF MINERALS AND VITAMINS IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A GOOD DIET, AND IN FACT MAY ITSELF LEAD TO DISEASE PROBLEMS. PROVIDE A WARM, HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT WITH EXPOSURE TO NATURAL SUNLIGHT, WHEN POSSIBLE, TO FURTHER ENHANCE YOUR CHANCES OF SUCCESS.
© 2008 Midwest Bird and Exotic Animal Hospital