What Natural Foods Should I Be Feeding My Iguana?

An iguana is a type of lizard that is an herbivore -- an animal that eats only plants. Feeding your iguana natural plant foods keeps him healthy and allows him to grow to his full potential. Fortunately, natural foods that are good choices for your iguana are also good for you, reducing the expense of having to purchase special food. Avoid protein foods, which iguanas don't need and can cause health issues that include kidney failure and death. Just as with any pet, your iguana should get regular veterinary care.

  1. Leafy Green Vegetables

    • Many types of leafy green vegetables are ideal natural plant foods your iguana. Choose dandelion greens, collard greens, alfalfa, escarole, endive, turnip greens and watercress. Avoid offering iceberg lettuce because iguanas may begin to prefer it to other healthier greens, recommends the Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital in San Diego, California. Spinach, parsley, kale and cilantro can be given occasionally when mixed with other staple greens.

    Other Vegetables

    • A wide variety of natural plant foods, including several vegetables, offer the right amount of nutrients that iguanas need to grow and stay healthy. Many types of squash can be rotated in your lizard's diet. Choose acorn squash, butternut squash or kabocha squash as staples and offer pumpkin and spaghetti squash less frequently. Parsnips, okra, snap peas, cassava and green beans are other staple vegetables. Offer mushrooms, cucumber, celery, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes occasionally to round out your iguana's nutrient intake.

    Fruit

    • Fruit is a natural food that offers your iguana plenty of nutrition. Staple fruits include cactus leaves, mango and papaya. Offer melon, strawberries, bananas, blackberries, grapes, kiwis, peaches and pears as occasional supplement fruits.

    Treats

    • Your iguana is likely to enjoy the occasional treat. While they shouldn't be given often, serving them now and then increases nutrient intake. Natural iguana treats include raspberries, corn, dahlias, nasturtiums, hibiscus and corn. When purchasing treats at a pet food store, read the ingredients list to be sure your choice contains only natural plant foods and doesn't have any added meat or insect ingredients.

    Feeding

    • Washing all fruits and vegetables before feeding them to your iguana reduces his exposure to chemicals that could harm his health. Cut the food into small enough pieces that your iguana can easily eat them without risk of choking. Feed your iguana every day, but allow him to warm up first, recommends San Diego's Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital. A convenient way to serve your iguana's meals is to dice up a small portion of appropriate plant foods you are cooking with when you prepare your own meals.