iguana feeding

Question
Hi Sara,

This weekend, my family and I are going to Niagara Falls for Labour Day. We are leaving Friday night at around 6pm and returning late Monday night. When we go away for regular weekends, my igs do fine with 2 bowls of food and a water bowl, but for a longer period of time, I wouldn't want to take a chance.

Are they able to survive with two bowls (don't forget, the food spoils after a day) and some commercial pellets? I don't know anyone who is willing to come and feed them (they're all scared of them!!!!). So what should I do??? Maybe you can recommend some veggies that don't rot as quickly??

Thanks sooooo much!!!!
My igs and I really appreciate it (:

Answer
John,

Realistically, iguanas can go quite a long time without eating but I know from dealing with my iguanas for so long that they get really restless and irritable when they aren't fed like clockwork. Now, I understand that food dries up, spoils, etc...and so leaving extra food out is probably not as feasible as it would be for a cat or a dog.

I think it would be wise to leave out extra food just because its better than not doing that, but if I had to leave mine for 3 days I would go out and buy each of them a full and well-nourished hibiscus plant and put it in there with them where they are housed. They will eat the leaves and flowers off of the plant and the plant is not going to dry up and spoil in 3 days. I don't know if hibiscus is available to you where you are but usually they have it any respectable garden center where I live. If you do not have hibiscus available, you can look up other edible plants. I will post the website below:

I do not really have any better recommendations.

http://www.anapsid.org/resources/edible.html


I hope this helps and becomes a feasible idea.

Sincerely,

Sara J Gwerder
President
Raptor Rescue Iguana Sanctuary
Shreveport, LA