Iguana Feeding Tips

The easiest way to ensure adequate nutrition for your iguana is to feed it one of the high-quality commercial iguana diets now widely available. These are somewhat expensive and do not provide much variety, but they are easy to use and nutritious.

If you decide to make an iguana "salad," the following foods may be included in appropriate proportions. Large quantities (with leafy vegetables omitted) may be frozen for later use. Supplement all foods with vitamin/mineral/calcium additives in accordance with the manufacturer's or veterinarian's instructions.

1. Green vegetables (35 to 40 percent or more). Feed at least 2 to 4 of the following: greens such as dandelions, collards, turnip, mustard, chard, bok choi, kale, escarole, green beans, parsley, alfalfa pellets, and dark leaves of romaine lettuce. NOTE: some greens such as beets and spinach contain oxalates that bind with and decrease the available calcium. These should be fedless frequently, and then only one per meal. Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, brussels sprouts, and other members of the crucifers family should be fed sparingly as they may cause thyroid problems if fed frequently.

2. Other vegetables (35 to 40 percent or more) to provide weekly variety. Vegetables such as squash, sprouts, carrots, fresh corn, okra, cooked sweet potatoes, bell peppers, mixed frozen vegetables, and pea pods. NOTE: chop vegetables into very small pieces for hatchlings.

3. Fresh fruits (not more than 20 percent). Calcium rich fruits include papaya, figs, mangos, and raspberries. Other fruits with less calcium include apples, cantaloupes, plums, peaches, pears, cranberries,grapes, strawberries, bananas, and kiwis.

4. Grain/fiber sources (optional, not more than 20 percent) include mixed grain bread and natural bran cereal.