What You Need to Know Before Getting a Pet Iguana

Next to dogs and cats, iguanas have probably become one of the most sought after pets. Iguanas however, are tremendously different from cats and dogs and its not just because they're cold blooded and don't jump and roll over. Iguanas require very special care and can't be allowed to just "sit" on the bed or feast on leftovers or cat food. So if caring for iguanas is so complicated, why do people still opt to have pet iguanas?

Iguanas are probably appealing to some because they seem so unique. People who may want to own pets but want something different may want to go for an iguana. The thing is, not many people have been properly educated as to the responsibilities of caring for an iguana and your local pet shop may not be thoroughly helpful either. Some people may think it's a nice idea to have a pet iguana at first but then later realize that caring for one is not such an easy task after all.

If you really want to have an iguana for a pet, the first step is to make sure state law doesn't forbid you from owning an iguana, then think about your decision a hundred times over. Tell yourself, "It's not easy to care for a pet iguana and it's going to take years of commitment and dedication." Run these thoughts in your mind over and over again until it sinks in and you start imagining what it's like to have an iguana in your life.

Having a pet iguana is like getting into the commitment of marriage or a full time job. It may even be more intense than having a wife and a job. In marriage and work you can get a divorce or you can resign if things don't work out and your wife or boss won't be any worse. They'll still go on with life even without you. Abandoning an iguana however, means leaving it helpless against the elements. It positively tugs at the heart to see a dying or dead iguana in the sewers or trash bins. Again, pet owners may not have this fate in mind for their pets when they first decided to take in iguanas. It's just that they've probably realized belatedly that caring for a pet iguana is not easy.

If you want to be an iguana pet owner, you should take the time to learn about iguanas. Read as much as you can and ask people who actually have some knowledge about these animals. You should know for example that iguanas can live for two decades and can grow up to about six feet. If you think this is okay with you then your next consideration would have a bearing on the financial aspect. The expenses involved in keeping an iguana goes well beyond paying for it at the pet shop. You need to care for it for probably more than one decade. Imagine how expensive that will be. An iguana's food alone can't just be any ordinary meal. You need some special mixes of greens for them to chow on. You also need to make sure that you can afford to travel to and retain a special pet vet for your iguana. If you're well off and you're confident that you can afford having an iguana around, then check on your personal traits. Can you be patient and empathetic enough to pet and play with your iguana, to constantly talk to it and wait for it to adjust to you, to clean its enclosure every single day?

Iguanas are living creatures too. They deserve prime care and attention. If you think you're really up to caring for one, you better be sure you can live up to your commitment.