Basic Care & Hygiene
Iguanas like to bathe. An easy way to bathe your iguana is to fill your tub about half full of room temperature water and let them loose. This helps with molting as the water will moisten their skin and aid in the peeling process. Also, because they walk in his food and waste, a bath will help keep bacteria out from under their nails and scales. Iguanas carry salmonella, so be sure to use antibacterial soap after handling your iguana.
When cleaning their home, never use soap, bleach or any other chemical. The scent alone can kill him. Simply use hot water and a scrub brush. Soak all plants, sticks, rocks and other climbing things in hot water also. You should clean at least every other day. The floor should be changed daily. It is not necessary to continually remove the shed as young iguanas will eat this. It provides them with extra protein and calcium and necessary antibodies.
If you notice your iguana has mites you can soak him to aid in ridding him of the pests. You can also coat him in olive oil. It is recommended that you use the olive oil method as it is longer lasting than a soak and you will rid him of more pests. You can just use a soft brush and simply “paint” him with the oil.
You should take your iguana to the vet at least twice a year for a check up. Iguanas in their natural environment will eat the feces of an adult iguana and receive their immunizations this way. Captive iguanas do not carry the same micro organisms that prevent disease, so check-ups are important.
