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Iguanas are herbivores. They eat vegetables, plants, and fruits. Their diets need to consist of a variety of different fruits and vegetables to provide the vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and other nutrients that they need. Collard greens, dandelion greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, endive, parsnip, chickory greens, escarole, shredded green beans, shredded butternut squash, papaya, pear, apple w/skin, figs, and alfalfa (not sprouts) are all good foods to feed. Foods containing Goitrogens if fed on a regular basis will cause hypothyroidism, which is the enlargement of the thyroid gland caused by insufficient iodine in the body. These foods include broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale, cabbages, cauliflower, bok choy, grapes, mango, peas, and soybeans. These foods may be added to the diet but in small amounts and not on a regular basis. Foods containing oxalates and oxalic acid can bind calcium. In time this can lead to metabolic bone disease and the formation of crystals in soft tissues, joints, and organs. If they settle in any the organs, it will impair the organ causing it to fail. If the crystals settle in muscle tissue or joints, it will cause pain and stiffness. Some of these foods are parsley, spinach, carrots, beets and chards. These foods may be added to the diet but in small amounts and not on a regular basis. Foods like romaine, green leaf and red leaf lettuce, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, summer squash, and zucchini are not very nutritious. You can feed these but only occasionally. DO NOT FEED ANIMAL PROTIEN (CRICKETS, MEAL WORMS , SMALL MICE, OR DOG AND CAT FOOD, RAW OR COOKED MEAT). There is misleading information out there stating that iguanas need to have or can have animal protein; monkey biscuits, chicken, beef, dairy products, mealworms, mice, crickets, cat food, and dog food. Animal protein contains components, which iguanas cannot digest properly. Nucleic acids in animal protein are changed into purine, which is then changed into uric acid. Uric acid crystals form in tissues throughout the body. Once those crystals have formed it will lead to gout, dehydration, metabolic bone disease, kidney damage, renal failure, and damage to other organs. This is all backed up by veterinarian evidence. This is one of the biggest causes of death in iguanas. No scientific field research on green iguana diets in the wild suggests that they eat animal protein, but it does show that they get all their protein and other food requirements from vegetables, plants, and fruits. There has also been studies and research done by examining wild iguanas gut contents and it showed no evidence of animal protein. Believe it or not there are books still being published and websites being made today with bad information in them. When you look for iguana books or websites check to see if the diet information is correct. Don't let your iguana be a victim of the incorrect diet information that is out there. Breads, noodles, and rice can be feed occasionally. Make sure you cook noodles and rice before feeding it. Some iguanas have been known to have allergic reactions to these foods. An iguanas diet needs to be made up of: Leafy vegetables: 45 - 50% of the diet. Other vegetables: 35 - 40% of the diet. (Vegetables should be fresh not frozen. Vegetables lose vitamin B1 (thiamine) when frozen. Fruits: 10 - 15% of the diet. Calcium and Vitamin supplement Iguanas need to have a calcium to phosphorous ratio of 2:1 (2 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus). Calcium is a big concern; a lack of it will cause Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD). MBD will cause the bones to become brittle and ultimately lead to a very painful death. Some signs of metabolic bone disease are swelling of the lower jaw, hard knobs on the joints of the legs, and bumps along the back and tail. If fed the right diet, there is no need to supplement their food but always check with your vet first to see if it is needed or not. A regular blood test will give you the answer. If you need to supplement then there are many different supplements on the market. I would recommend a human calcium tablet (calcium carbonate) crushed into powder. The ones used for humans tend to be cleaner. Do not use a calcium supplement with D3 in it. Iguanas get D3 from the UVB rays (discussed on my caging page). Don't just pick only the vegetables and fruit that have a 2:1 or better ratio. Iguanas need a full range nutrients. If this is not provided then the iguana will end up being malnourished. Iguanas may also need a vitamin supplement (check with a vet on this also). There are many different ones out there. I use Centrum (a vitamin supplement for humans) crushed to into powder form. If you choose a vitamin supplement for reptiles that is sold in the pet stores make sure that the ratio of vitamin A to vitamin D to vitamin E is 100:10:1. Now the question is "how often
and how much do you use the vitamin and calcium
supplements?" Well no one really knows because
no studies have been done on iguanas to know. I
have researched websites to find Melissa
Kaplan's site with a table suggesting this schedule.
This should be about a pinch (your thumb and pointer finger). Small pinch for smaller iguanas and bigger pinch for bigger iguanas Protein Iguanas do need protein. For protein they need vegetable protein, not animal protein. Iguanas get this from the vegetables they eat. A good source of protein is alfalfa. You can find this as hey and as pellets (known as rabbit pellets or guinea pig pellets). It is also available in health food stores as powdered alfalfa, alfalfa tablets or capsules, and alfalfa leaf tea. The best choice is the alfalfa found in health food stores because it is cleaner and purer. If using the health food store alfalfa then you only need to add 15-16 gm of protein to the food. If using the hey or pellets then you will need to soak pellets or hay in water or a little juice to soften it up. Note: Alfalfa sprouts are not a source of protein. They are also known to carry Salmonella. Tofu is a well-known source of plant protein but it is high in fat. This can be fed on occasions, same with kidney, lima, and navy beans. Phew, it’s a lot to think about isn’t it? Well here’s a link that will give you the break down of the calcium and phosphorus ratios in foods plus how much protein they contain. Commercial iguana diets Commercial iguana diets are not what they are cracked up to be. They say that it contains all the nutrients that your iguana needs but in fact, it really doesn't. They often have large amounts of corn, wheat, soy, added fats, animal protein, and artificial colors and flavors. Not to mention that they tend to be dry which can cause dehydration.
If a commercial food is going to be used (if you are going away and having someone care for your iguana) then I would only use WALKABOUT FARM'S. A lady by the name of Dr. Donoghue developed her own diet based on research she had done on green iguanas and other reptiles. Again though, fresh vegetables and fruit are the best food for iguanas, and we all want our iguanas to be in the best of health.. How to feed The food needs to be cut up small. A leaf should be a bit smaller then your iguana’s head. Iguanas need to be fed 1 - 2 times a day. They should be fed late in the morning or early afternoon. Let them eat as much as they want. You don't need to worry about them over eating. They will stop when they are full. Feed at the same times every day or close to the same times. Iguanas like routine. When you break the routine, it upsets and stresses the animal. The food should be cleaned before giving it to your iguana. Note: Iguana's do drink water. There is a myth going around stating that iguanas can get all their water needs from the foods that they eat. This is false. Iguanas need to have fresh water available to them everyday and at all times.
I know this all may seem a bit complex but guess what? There is much more, so what do you say we move on the the next section, Caging. © 2001-2007 IgPage All rights reserved. |
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