How to Clean a Wooden Iguana Cage

Iguanas are a species of lizard found in warmer climates such as South America or the Caribbean. When iguanas are kept as house pets they need to have cages equipped with food, water and a heat rock or lamp. As part of the routine in caring for an iguana you are going to need to clean out its cage. This must be done properly to ensure that your iguana stays healthy and does not contract any type of disease.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bathtub
• Newspaper
• Dustpan and brush
• Nolvasan
• Scrub brush
• Dish soap
• Water
• Fan

1. Take your iguana out of the wooden cage and place him in your bathtub. You can't clean the iguana's cage properly if the iguana is in it. If you don't want to put your iguana in the bathtub, you can ask a family member to hold the iguana and give it some attention while you clean out the cage.

2. Remove all of the items in the cage. This includes the heat lamp, heat rock, food dish, water dish and toys. You may want to have a sheet of newspaper set aside to put these items on.

3. Use a dustpan and brush to sweep out the wooden cage. If there is a layer of turf on the bottom, you will need to remove it and shake it outside.

4. Buy Nolvasan (see Resources). You will need to dilute the Nolvasan by putting 3 oz. of it into a gallon of water.

5. Pour some of the Nolvasan solution over a scrub brush and begin scrubbing the sides and floors of your wooden iguana cage. Cover every area.

6. Allow the cage to dry completely. You may need to take a fan and aim it at your cage so that the cage will dry more quickly.

7. Replace the turf or flooring. If you use sand or mulch you will want to put fresh material in the cage.

8. Wash the toys and food dishes with warm soapy water and then rinse all of the soap off. Dry and then return to the cage. Add new food and water to the dishes.

9. Replace the heat lamp and the heat rock and get them back up to the appropriate temperatures.

10. Replace the iguana.

Tips & Warnings

• You should clean your iguana cage twice per week and its food and water dishes daily. You can use ammonia to clean the wooden cage as well. You should use 4 oz. per gallon of water.
• Never put cedar chips on the bottom of your iguana's cage. Cedar is hazardous to iguanas. If you don't keep the cage clean, you could catch salmonella.

Resources

• Nolvasan