Is baby oil safe for iguanas?

Question

My iguana is constantly peeling, to the point where it looks uncomfortable for her. I am trying to find a lotion or baby oil that should be safe for her, but I can not find anything on the internet about it. Is there anything I could do, any suggestions or so forth? Any help would be welcomed.

Answer 1

Well...if it's safe enough for a baby's tender skin, I rather suspect it won't hurt an iguana's scaly hide.

Answer 2

Baby oil is not the best to use. Just like w/ humans if you use in the sun (UVB ray from lights), can cause skin to burn.
If your iguana is shedding constantly that is a good sign. You should let them shed by themselves. Iguanas can seem to be shedding all the time. If you don't use a humidifier or vaporizor around your iguanas enclosure, add one, it will help, along w/ daily baths and misting/spraying few times a day.
You can use Vaseline on sheds, specially on the spikes where it seems to be more difficult to shed.
But stubborn shed is something different. For that you need to soak, and use Mineral Oil (NOT baby oil) on the damp shed surfaces. The mineral oil does not seem to cause the shed to, shed, but it keeps the moisture in and the water is what helps shed, shed. If your ig enjoys licking up water while in the bath tub, do not put the mineral oil in right away, let him swim around lick up some water then use the mineral oil. You can also damp on the mineral oil w/ a damp cloth while your igs still wet after bath/soak.
I've also heard of ky jelly, I'm not sure I'd put that where my ig could lick up off of body (toes, legs). But if your iguana is shedding constantly like you say he/she is, there is no worry to help w/ body shed, spikes do need help. If your iguana is shedding all the time, then that usually means that you have good humidity (spraying/misting, humidifier/vaporizor, bath).
Your iguanas enclosure on the basking area should be basking 92-96F if temp is too low digestion is slowed too high food digests too fast and nutrition is lost ... medium/middle 88-92F ... cool 75-84F ...at night 73-84F.
If you have a young ig, it should not be anything smaller then a 55 gallon tank, if it is between 8-12months then it should be in a built enclosure, enclosure needs to be at least 1.5-2 times it's total length.
If you notice that after using Vaseline or Mineral Oil on shed for about 2wks, and doesn't seem to be helping, it may not be a shed issue, could be bactrial or fungus, which a vet would need to see to verify and vet should give med that will help w/ the bactrial or fungus issue.
Here are a few links that may help:
http://www.anapsid.org/shedding.html#ig
http://www.greenigsociety.org/quicktips.htm#shedding
Yahoo has some great iguana sites, if you'd like to join any here are a few to that can help you w/ your ig:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/BabyIguana/
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/IguanaDen/

Answer 3

Shedding is normal, but if it seems to be taking a long time, then you have a humidity problem. Try misting her with warm water twice a day. Also make sure she has a pool of water in her enclosure large enough to completely immerse herself in to soak. Heat, lighting and diet will also affect shedding. Check your setup.

http://anapsid.org/
http://members.tripod.com/faustcorpus/choose.html

Answer 4

I use Zoo Med's Repti shedding aid on all my reptiles before and during their shed. I have found that it helps substantially. All you do is spray it on your pet and then rub it in with your fingers just like lotion. It may take a few weeks to see results, but it's worked on our iguana, ball python, leopard geckos, chameleon and Mali Uromastyx lizard. Here is a link to the product: http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?familyID=12513. I hope it works.

Answer 5

I wouldn't suggest it. Add a humid hide in the cage. or boost the humidity levels somehow. This will add shedding greatly! You can soak her in the tub or sink, which will also help.

Answer 6

Why dont you ask the pet store all these questions.Makes sense to me.