Why isn't my baby green iguana eating after 2 weeks? Is he sick?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My baby green iguana isn’t eating I’ve had him for 2 weeks
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on February 11th, 2019
Thanks for reaching out about your young iguana and including photos. By the pictures he appears lethargic and thin, with wrinkled skin likely indicative of dehydration. Check environmental temperature to assure optimal. Intestinal infections and infestations (parasites) are possibilities if husbandry is correct. Syringe feed food and water to provided strength and hydration. A veterinary visit is highly recommended as he appears very lethargic and weak. Good luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on June 25th, 2018
Iguanas are solitary creatures in the wild. Confirm proper environmental parameters, especially heat. Low temps can affect appetite and activity in reptiles.Younger iguanas typically require slightly higher temps than adult iguanas. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 20-30 minutes. This will provide warmth and hydration. Look him over for signs of injury or infection. This may include redness, swelling, bruising, bleeding or discharge. If you find any, have Zilla examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles for confirmation and treatment.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Hello my baby iguana is not eating food and I don’t know what to do
Thanks for reaching out about Green and including a photo. Causes of anorexia in young reptiles can range from improper husbandry/diet, intestinal parasites or infections, metabolic disorders and others. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and assist. Measure and correct temperature, humidity and UV exposure. A warm water soak can possibly stimulate defecation and water intake. A small syringe without a needle can be used to offer a vegetable baby food. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi..I'm Rida from indonesia..I have 2 iguanas,male n female,female is cool,but male already didn't have appetite since last year,so I always shot his foods to his mouth,mostly veggies,sometimes fruits..n now his brain bumps flatting already since las
Thanks for reaching out about Muu-chan and including pictures. It is concerning that he hasn't eaten by himself for along period of time. By the pictures he does appear very thin. Continuing to syringe feed him will help but probably is not solving the problem. A gastro-intestinal foreign body is a possibility, but there are many illness that can causes there clinical sings, including renal disease. It is very important you see a veterinarian even if they aren't great with reptiles. Maybe they can consult with other veterinarians. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
My baby aqua blue iguana will not eat, hides under his water dish, and I've tried EVERYTHING. Is It possible that he was used to having others in his tank and he is just lonely? The heat and humidity are perfect and I've tried lots of different blen
Iguanas are solitary creatures in the wild. Confirm proper environmental parameters, especially heat. Low temps can affect appetite and activity in reptiles.Younger iguanas typically require slightly higher temps than adult iguanas. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 20-30 minutes. This will provide warmth and hydration. Look him over for signs of injury or infection. This may include redness, swelling, bruising, bleeding or discharge. If you find any, have Zilla examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles for confirmation and treatment.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, my boyfriend got a baby green iguana about 2 weeks ago and it has a dark (blackish) spot on the leg that comes out. The outline of the spot is bright green. The iguana stopped eating yesterday and it looks smaller and weaker. The spot Started sma
Without an image or physical exam, it can be difficult to determine exactly what is going on. It could be a bacterial or fungal infection, skin from shedding or trauma (burn, abrasion, etc). Ideally, Iggy should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. You can find one using the link below if necessary. http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661 In the meantime, confirm proper environmental parameters. To much humidity can promote bacterial or fungal overgrowth, too little humidity can lead to difficult sheds. Make sure Iggy cannot come into contact with either the heat lamp or UVB light source. Minor infection can be treated with daily cleanings using diluted Betadine or Chlorhexidine. Clean and sanitize the cage and use plain paper towels as substrate to make cleaning easier until the issue is resolved.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
We just bought a baby iguana 3cweeks ago , it was light green very beautiful. But now is getting a brownish color and it looks weak. Is my iguana sick?
Yes, your Iguana is probably sick but these symptoms are very general and i couldn't tell you what is causing this, you will need to take him to an exotic vet specialist ASAP in order to get him checked.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My iguana has bumps on his belly . Some are black and some are yellow. Also looks like shed build up on his legs and parts of his side . He is not wanting to use one of his back legs and I have to syringe feed him for him to eat.
The bumps could be infection (bacterial or fungal). An iguana that won't eat should be examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp veterinarian. Make sure the temp in the enclosure is warm enough. Low temps can affect appetite. Symptoms may indicate MBD (metabolic bone disease), but this should be diagnosed by the vet. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. This will treat or prevent mild dehydration and may help with shedding. If bloodwork shows low calcium, your vet can dispense or administer calcium supplementation.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I recently purchased a baby green iguana and it's been moving around, being friendly and eating but I've had her for roughly a week and she hasn't pooped yet and I'm fairly concerned thanks
Make sure enclosure temps are appropriate. Juveniles need warmer temps than adults and temperature affects digestion in reptiles. You can also soak her in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. Gently massage her abdomen to stimulate defecation.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Male green iguana won't eat or stay by his lamps. I have tried to keep him in his enclosure by light and food and he gets upset. He won't eat, he seems healthy and strong but just wants to stay on the back of the couch by people. He will still drink
Hmmm, not an easy one :) They do have their own character and can be stubborn. The problem is that they need high ambient temperatures and humidity, and you are not going to get those in the living room. Perhaps you need a larger enclosure or a re-arrangement of the existing one. Keeping him on the couch will in a cool and dry environment (I'm guessing) will have a negative effect on his health.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, I bought a female green anole 1-2 weeks ago, and she isn't doing very well. We house her in a 18"x18"x24" Tall ExoTerra terrarium. There are lots of plants, branches, and hiding spots. Within a coupe of days of getting her, she just stopped mo
Thanks for reaching out about Poseidon. Check and correct husbandry as environmental temperatures. Try offering water and a meat flavored Gerbers baby food via a syringe. If can not get to eat, a veterinary visit is needed. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Our 5 year old Bearded Dragon seems sick. We’ve had him since birth. He’s always loved to eat meal worms crickets and greens. He’s very picky on the greens we’ve never been able to get him to eat any other fruits or veggies. Few months ago he started
Check the temperature in the enclosure. Low temps can affect activity and appetite in reptiles. You can soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for about 20 minutes every few days to prevent or treat mild dehydration. In case he is constipated, you can gently massage the abdomen, front to back, during the soak. You can supplement his diet with Fluker's Repta-Boost ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/flukers-reptaboost-insectavore-and-carnivore-high-amp-boost ). Find it in the local Petco. Continue to offer fresh, chopped greens and prey. Place them in a shallow cup to make it easy for him to eat. Survey the area in and around the cage for any negative stimuli. This may include loud noises, strong vibrations, high traffic or cold drafts. Reduce or eliminate any if found. Consider a tank surround to limit his view in case something he sees is causing him stress or making him angry. If symptoms persist or worsen, he will need to be physically e
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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