Have you just bought a nice fresh bunch of celery at the grocery store and want to feed some of it to your pet iguana? Is celery okay for iguanas to eat? The short answer is yes. Celery, and many other green vegetables that you would put in your salad, are safe foods for your iguana to eat.
Should celery make up the bulk of your iguana’s diet? The answer to that question is no. Other types of vegetables are healthier and more nutritious for your pet iguana than celery.
Compared to many other vegetables, celery has a low nutritional content. It won’t harm your iguana, but it won’t be very beneficial either.
There are many types of iguanas, but the most popular pet is the Green Iguana (Iguana iguana). In this article, we’ll talk about which vegetables are good food choices for these iguanas.
What Do Iguanas Eat?
Iguana species are predominantly herbivores and most only eat plant material. They are specialized forms of herbivores known as folivores (leaf eaters).
This is important to keep in mind because some common pet reptiles eat worms, insects, and other animal proteins. Green iguanas do not require any sort of meat in their diet. They get all the nutrition they need from plants.
In the wild, an iguana will eat different parts of a plant, like leaves, flowers, and fruits. What is the best diet for a pet green iguana? Aside from celery, there are many healthy vegetables you can feed your iguana.
What Vegetables Can Iguanas Eat?
Vegetables should make up the bulk of your iguana’s diet. Fruits can be fed as treats. Not all vegetables are the same when it comes to iguanas. Some are healthier than others.
The best vegetables to feed your iguana are dark leafy greens that are rich in vitamins and minerals, such as:
- Collard greens
- Turnip greens
- Fresh alfalfa
- Escarole
- Parsley
- Dandelion greens
Other types of vegetables are also good for your iguana, just make sure that most of their nutrition comes from leafy greens.
- Acorn squash
- Bell peppers
- Green beans
- Despined cactus pads
- Sweet potato
- Peas
Celery isn’t included in the list of most recommended vegetables for iguanas. Some vegetables, like celery and iceberg lettuce, have high water and low nutrient content. As we mentioned, while not bad for your iguana, celery is not very nutritious.
What Fruits Can Iguanas Eat?
Your green iguana should eat a diet that is 80–90% vegetables, especially leafy green vegetables. But can your iguana eat fruit as an occasional treat?
Yes, you can feed your iguana some fruit in moderation.
- Figs
- Cantaloupe
- Mangoes
- Pears
- Guava
- Blueberries
Fruit can be a good source of additional water in your pet iguana’s diet, and most iguanas enjoy the taste but feed a small amount of fruit along with the main meal of vegetables for optimum nutrition.
Do Iguanas Like Flowers?
We said iguanas eat flowers in the wild. Can you feed your pet iguana flowers too?
Yes, there are some edible flowers that you can give to your iguana as a treat, like fruit.
- Dandelions
- Hibiscus
- Nasturtium
- Rose petals
You can grow edible flowers at home to feed your little guy. If you buy cut flowers, make sure that they have not been treated with any chemicals.
What Foods are Bad for Iguanas?
We’ve seen what iguanas should eat, but are there any foods that iguanas should not eat?
Avocado, rosemary, rhubarb, sage, and eggplant are toxic for iguanas. Even though vegetables, especially leafy greens, are good for iguanas, some can cause a health problem known as hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland) if fed in large amounts.
They are known as goitrogenic vegetables, and while they may seem like they’d be healthy, they can impair your iguana’s thyroid function.
What are the most common goitrogenic vegetables?
Iguanas should be fed goitrogenic vegetables only in small amounts. As there are plenty of other healthy options available, it’s easy to avoid this type of vegetable.
Some foods are toxic for iguanas and we recommend not feeding any fruit seeds or pits with cyanide compounds in them. This includes cherry, apple, pear, peach, and apricot seeds. Be careful with unknown plants, as many are toxic. Make sure you know what you are feeding is safe.
What is a Commercial Diet for Iguanas?
Your iguana should mainly eat fresh vegetables, especially leafy greens, with some fruit in moderation. Pet stores do carry iguana pellets and supplements, but should you feed your iguana a commercial diet?
You can add some pellets to your iguana’s diet, they won’t be harmful. Stick with ones specifically made for iguanas.
There are also supplements for iguanas. Some veterinarians recommend calcium, D3, or multivitamin supplements for iguanas. Ask your vet about the best supplement for your pet.
Final Thoughts
Remember that the best source of nutritional information for your pet iguana is your veterinarian. Your vet can make specific dietary recommendations when you bring your iguana in for a wellness visit.
Choosing a vet with experience in reptiles can also be a good way to keep your iguana as healthy as possible.
Related Reads:
- Can Iguanas Eat Strawberries? What You Need To Know!
- Can Iguanas Eat Pineapple? What You Need to Know
