My Iguana wont eat - Paw Talk

AlexHorvath · #1 04-04-2005, 06:02 PM

Hey guys, recently my iguana was in the iguana hostpital because he was sick, so after antibiotics, and home done needeles hes been ok! however when he was sick i was feeding him by hand, and now hes used to be feeding him! can you guys tell me how i can get my iguana to eat from his dish again without me shoveing it down his mouth? Please help i cant feed him by hand 1/2 and hour a day , how will i play with him if all my time is feeding, thanks....

I would apreciate anything, just dont be a meany

Chevy76DML · #2 04-05-2005, 11:29 AM

Try putting just his favorite peace of food in his dish. Very small amounts. It has worked for me. When mine won't eat it is because he got too cold that may help too.

Good Luck!!

aya99 · #3 04-05-2005, 07:03 PM

in my case i would put in some pieces of fruit/s on top of the ig food (my ig "LIZ" is a fruit lover by the way

). or i would place here near the food bowl, hand feed her once then she'd starteating by herself

Chevy76DML · #4 04-05-2005, 07:43 PM

I have a male Iguana "Eddie", and he is very aggressive. I'm told he will out grow this stage. I hope that's true. LOL

aya99 · #5 04-13-2005, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevy76DML


	I have a male Iguana "Eddie", and he is very aggressive. I'm told he will out grow this stage. I hope that's true. LOL

He will, just be sure you dont stress him out... iguanas are stressful lizards...

Serpentala · #6 12-30-2005, 01:20 PM

Iguanas do not "outgrow" agressiveness/wildness(unless its just a breeding season issue) You have to keep him tamed and socialized. It's best if you handle them once a day, every day. True, you should watch out for signs of stress, but never put an uncalm iggy back in it's cage(or he will think he can just throw a fit to keep you away from him)

cam_layton · #7 12-30-2005, 02:25 PM

If your ig is just being stubborn, but will eat from your hand... just leave a little food in his dish(keep it fresh) and walk away. Igs can go very long without food, but like any other animal will look for food when hungry enough. You could also just wean him off by beginning to feed him a little by hand, then put him in front of his dish and walk away. He'll figure it out eventually.

Ravnos · #8 12-30-2005, 03:29 PM

Keep in mind also, that antibiotics can be hard on an iguanas system - namely to the kidneys, it may take him a while to get back to full speed. I think if he gets hungry enough, he'll go to the dish. Just try putting his favorite stuff on top. Iguanas are real suckers for "junk food". You could always make him think you're going to feed him by hand, but at the last second drop it in his dish. If he wants it bad enough, he'll go for it.

I have never heard of an iguana outgrowing aggression. They are extremely stubborn animals, and once they get set in their ways, it takes a lot of work to get them to change habits. Patience and persistance is the only course of action. They are creatures of routine, and if you can work a daily handling attempt into that routine and slowly build up the length of time you work with them, they -may- come around. Many do not, and its not really the owners fault. Thats just the way iguanas are. There is a reason they are by far the most dumped reptile pet.