Hello, this is my first post. I hate to make a lousy first impression but here it goes... I got a Iguana 3 years ago and was not informed of the responsibility of owning a iguana. Ive had a 120 gallon tank that hes been living in. I recently relized my stupidity and Im thankful that he is still alive. I learned that I havnt been feeding him correctly, housing him correctly and my UV bulb was almost 3 years old... So I want to correct my abuse. I feel terrible. I just got finished building a cage that is 5 ft x 3 x 3ft. He seems to like it. Now instead of feeding him industrial produced food I make him salads made of yellow squash, asparagus, and carrots. I just gave him his first one today and he hasnt had a bite yet, but Im hoping that he will eat later. Im going to purchase a new UV bulb monday when I go to petco. He is 3 years old and is only 2 feet long. I really feel bad, I was wanting to know if there is anything else that I can do to help him? Also, what is the damage that Ive done to him?
Do you have any really iguana knowledgable vets in your area? Thats probably the best way to go. They can get an up close and personal veiw and really see if any irreverable damage has been done. But take it from me, make sure that the vet has more knowledge about them than you. Quiz them to make sure. I've caught vets trying to pose as reptile specialists before, and they will still charge an arm and a leg. And with what he's going to charge you for the visit, he or she should be able to take a little time out of their schedules to explain their credintials to you. And if they aren't willing to tell you that much, (which by law you are intitled to ask,) then I'd find someone else. Thats the best advice I can give you. And I feel very bad that this happened to you and your iguana. They are incredible animals, and they deserve the best. There are so many missconceptions about how to care for an iguana out there, its unbelievable. I hope that he is ok, and I'm so glad that you have learned so many new things on how to take care of him now. Lots of luck, -Cristine
Try offering some fresh greens. Mustard, collard, Dandelion, turnip are all good greens. And a variety of low acid fruits. Maybe even some baby food (the fruit kind) to help perk up his appetite. Don't give in though. He may not eat the first few times you try, but when he's hungry, he'll eat it.
Yeah, hes started to eat a little. How much do they usually eat? Hes only been taking a few bites every day. I guess he'll relize that thats the only thing that hes going to get to eat, so he better start eating.
a long time ago, i had an iguana, but i was young, and my mother was the primary caretaker. we really didn't know what we were doing and as a result she developed a couple of health problems, a calcium deficiency and a protein deficiency. now i'm not sure who told my mother thins but someone told her that you could feed an iguana chicken to help with the protein issue. was that safe, or should we have killed some crickets or mealworms and somehow incorperated them in her diet? she was only a baby when we lost her to our ferret, and i'm thinking of maybe getting another one someday now that i know where i can get help, and i have a few more years under my belt.
animal protein will kill iguanas fast. There are supplements at pet stores that you can put in your iguana's food and or water to help with protein and calcium. Iguanas are strickly herbivores and should only be fed that of a herbivore. PLANTS! now spinach has lots of calcium that could kill them if they are fed too much. so if ur iguana ever needs calcium a lil bit of spinach everyday will help, but nothing will come close to the vets helping. My iguana loves spinach and strawberries every now and then. But her all time high is clovers she would attack you just to eat some. i sit in my yard for hours picking some in a jar (studying them for anything bad) and giving her a small hand full everyday
I use Zoo Med Adult Iguana feed with my iguanas, I keep a double dog dish in their cage. one side has their veggies and i use the iguana feed as croutons on it and the other side i keep the feed in there just in case they run out of veggies they have something to eat. While most would not recomend feeding iguanas manufactured feed. I read and research this product and made with mostly greens and other veggies, it has a nice balanced blend of nutrients. I would recomend using they feed and mixing with the veggies. That why they will smell and taste like the feed. Slowly you can completely ween the iguana off of them. Collard greens, green onions and veggie like these have a strong smell and may help encourage him to eat. They also make vitamin supplement sprays thay are flavored to help encourage iguanas to eat. i believe i saw it at reptilesupply.com
cyber - don't feel bad. feel GOOD about wanting to correct your mistakes! we're all here to learn! the adult iguana pellets and stuff really aren't that great, they should eat mostly fresh produce. also, animal protein is terrible for them (as was mentioned by others). best of luck and keep us updated!
