How to Feed a Pet Iguana

The popularity of iguanas as pets grows every year. Due to their increased popularity, controversy over the proper care and feeding of captive iguanas is popular amongst iguana experts. The most highly debated topic is whether iguanas should have meat in their diets. If you own a pet iguana, stay on the safe side and keep their diet a mix of fruits and vegetables.

Instructions

1. Buy shallow bowls for food and water. Place the bowls in an area where the iguana won't eat substrate material or its own waste. Provide sturdy bowls that won't spill or turn over if the iguana steps in them.

2. Give your iguana plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, chopped or diced. Iguanas love leafy lettuces like romaine, along with spinach and parsley. You can also feed them green beans, zucchini, broccoli, carrots, banana, grapes, cherries and strawberries.

3. Feed your iguana every day. Young iguanas under two years old should eat twice a day, while older iguanas only need food in the morning.

4. Mist your iguana's food with water by using a spray bottle. This helps ensure that your iguana is getting enough water and provides proper hydration.

5. Give your iguana a treat of whole grain foods, such as bread and rice. This provides vitamins and minerals your iguana needs in their diet, and pet iguanas love it.

6. Sprinkle your pet iguanas food with a vitamin supplement that contains calcium. One problem pet iguanas have is a lack of calcium and vitamins in their captive diet. Pet stores sell reptile vitamin supplements with the recommended dosage and frequency printed on the bottle.

Tips & Warnings

• If you feel like your iguana isn't getting enough protein, some iguana experts recommend soaking dog food or providing crickets as a source of protein. This is debatable amongst experts, so speak to your veterinarian before deciding.

• Never feed your iguana dairy, meat or egg products. This isn't good for their systems and isn't something they'd naturally eat.

• Rhubarb is extremely poisonous to iguanas. Never feed iguanas or any other reptile rhubarb.