About feeding a green iguana
Green iguanas are large, long-lived, strictly herbivorous lizards — and one of the most commonly mis-fed reptiles, because well-meaning owners offer animal protein that their plant-adapted kidneys can't handle. An iguana's health lives and dies by its salad.
How much should a green iguana eat?
Reptile feeding depends far more on life stage and diet ratio than on a single calorie number. The schedule below shows how the insect-to-plant ratio and feeding frequency change as the animal grows.
| Life stage | Diet ratio & feeding frequency |
|---|---|
| Juvenile iguana (under 18 months) | Feed daily — mostly leafy greens, some veg and fruit |
| Adult iguana | Feed daily or every other day — strict herbivore |
What to feed
Iguanas are strict herbivores. Their diet should be leafy greens and vegetables (collard, mustard and turnip greens, dandelion, squash) with limited fruit. Animal protein, including insects and dog food, should not be fed — it causes kidney damage and gout over time.
How often to feed
Young iguanas are fed daily; adults daily or every other day. Fresh chopped salad is the staple, with calcium supplementation and proper UVB essential for such a large-bodied grower.
Common feeding mistakes
- Feeding animal protein (insects, meat, dog food), which damages iguana kidneys.
- Too much fruit or lettuce with little nutritional value.
- Inadequate calcium and UVB for a fast-growing reptile.
- A monotonous diet lacking variety of greens.
Weight & health
Chronic kidney disease from dietary protein, and metabolic bone disease from poor calcium/UVB, are the big long-term killers of pet iguanas. A varied, calcium-rich, all-plant diet with strong UVB is protective.
Frequently asked questions
What do iguanas eat?
A strictly herbivorous diet of leafy greens and vegetables — collard, mustard and turnip greens, dandelion, squash — with limited fruit and calcium supplementation. No animal protein.
Can iguanas eat meat or insects?
No. Iguanas are strict herbivores; animal protein damages their kidneys and causes gout over time. Even 'just a little' meat or dog food should be avoided.
How often should I feed an iguana?
Juveniles daily; adults daily or every other day. Offer a fresh, varied chopped salad and keep calcium and UVB provision consistent.
Why is my iguana's diet so important?
Iguanas are prone to fatal kidney disease from wrong diets and to metabolic bone disease from calcium/UVB shortfalls. A varied plant diet with proper supplementation is the foundation of a long life.