Re: Kayo...there is nothing wrong with giving igs insects.

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana & Water Dragon Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Traci on June 24, 1999 at 16:57:43:

In Reply to: Kayo...there is nothing wrong with giving igs insects. posted by kev on June 24, 1999 at 16:20:03:

Maybe I'm wrong here, I'm certainly no expert on iguanas. However, I have had several of iguana owners conact me regarding their iggys, including one co worker. Everyone of them who stated that their iguanas were fed any type of animal protein (including one rescue ig who had been fed cheese) has shown in increase in blood protein levels and kindey problems.

Now, I'm not referring to that occasional bug an iguana will get here and there, but I am referring to people who intentionally included crickets and other insects/wax worms as a small part of their iguanas diet on a regular basis.

My co worker recently lost his 7 year old female due to kidney failure. The cause? The best the vet could determine was the animal protein levels during the first two years of her life. For the remaining five she was fed nothing other than dark leafy greens and veggies. Five years of textbook perfect temperature, lighting, humidity, and food and it still killed her.

There is a debate on the animal protein matter everywhere you find information. I even picked up a flier from my vet, who is very experienced and qualified to treat reptiles, suggesting that even through adulthood an iguana's diet should consist of 5 - 10% animal protein including monkey chow, dog food, and/or crickets.

I just don't think it's wise, especially in an informative forum such as this, to encourage the feeding of animal protein to any iguana. Yes, they may like them. I forget who it was that made the statement in this forum some time ago, but he/she couldn't have said it any better: "children enjoy eating lead paint flakes since they're sweet, doesn't mean it's good for them". (I know it's not an exact quote, but you get the point.)

My ever inflated $.02

: I have rasied baby iguanas here in florida in outdoor enclosures and have seen the babies chase down small insects. Some seem to like them more than others and all that i have raised have grown out of this as they became more mature.
: Believe me there is no one telling baby iguanas in their native countries that insects are bad for them.

: Kev

Follow Ups:

Think your quote was from the divine "iZ's mom!" Iguanamomma 6/24/99 (0)
Re: Kayo...there is nothing wrong with giving igs insects. kev 6/24/99 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: Maybe I'm wrong here, I'm certainly no expert on iguanas. However, I have had several of iguana owners conact me regarding their iggys, including one co worker. Everyone of them who stated that their iguanas were fed any type of animal protein (including one rescue ig who had been fed cheese) has shown in increase in blood protein levels and kindey problems. : Now, I'm not referring to that occasional bug an iguana will get here and there, but I am referring to people who intentionally included crickets and other insects/wax worms as a small part of their iguanas diet on a regular basis. : My co worker recently lost his 7 year old female due to kidney failure. The cause? The best the vet could determine was the animal protein levels during the first two years of her life. For the remaining five she was fed nothing other than dark leafy greens and veggies. Five years of textbook perfect temperature, lighting, humidity, and food and it still killed her. : There is a debate on the animal protein matter everywhere you find information. I even picked up a flier from my vet, who is very experienced and qualified to treat reptiles, suggesting that even through adulthood an iguana's diet should consist of 5 - 10% animal protein including monkey chow, dog food, and/or crickets. : I just don't think it's wise, especially in an informative forum such as this, to encourage the feeding of animal protein to any iguana. Yes, they may like them. I forget who it was that made the statement in this forum some time ago, but he/she couldn't have said it any better: "children enjoy eating lead paint flakes since they're sweet, doesn't mean it's good for them". (I know it's not an exact quote, but you get the point.) : My ever inflated $.02 : : : I have rasied baby iguanas here in florida in outdoor enclosures and have seen the babies chase down small insects. Some seem to like them more than others and all that i have raised have grown out of this as they became more mature. : : Believe me there is no one telling baby iguanas in their native countries that insects are bad for them. : : Kev

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana & Water Dragon Forum ] [ FAQ ]