Complete Green Iguana Diet Guide: What to Feed Your Pet Iguana

Green iguanas are herbivorous reptiles that require a carefully balanced diet to thrive in captivity. Understanding their nutritional needs is essential for preventing common health issues like metabolic bone disease and ensuring your iguana lives a long, healthy life.

Nutritional Requirements for Green Iguanas

Adult green iguanas need a diet that’s approximately 95% vegetables and 5% fruit. The key is maintaining a proper calcium to phosphorus ratio of 2:1, along with adequate fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Protein should come exclusively from plant sources, as animal protein can cause kidney damage in iguanas.

Best Vegetables for Green Iguanas

The foundation of your iguana’s diet should consist of dark leafy greens and calcium-rich vegetables:

• Collard greens – Excellent calcium source and should make up a large portion of the diet
• Mustard greens – High in calcium and vitamins
• Turnip greens – Another calcium-rich option
• Dandelion greens – Nutritious and often enjoyed by iguanas
• Butternut squash – Good source of vitamin A
• Green beans – Provides fiber and variety
• Bell peppers – Rich in vitamin C

Rotate these vegetables daily to provide nutritional variety and prevent boredom.