[Evaluation of a number of commercial diets for iguana (Iguana iguana), bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps), and land and marsh tortoises].
Fifteen commercially available, complete diets for iguanas, bearded dragons, and chelonians were analysed and compared with the ideal composition of a diet formulated by the authors. The clinical risks of feeding with a too high or a too low content of specific nutrients are described. Nutrient deficiencies are not expected if these diets are the sole source of nutrients. However, one diet had only a marginally adequate protein content, five diets for herbivorous reptiles contained a too low percentage of crude fibre, three diets contained an undesirably high percentage of calcium, and three diets had an extremely high iron content. As a rule, the calcium and iron contents of diets are not declared on the food label, which complicates evaluation of the diets.
Kik
M J
MJ
Hoofdafdeling Veterinaire Pathobiologie, Afdeling Ziektekunde Vogels en Bijzondere Dieren, Faculteit der Diergeneeskunde, Universiteit Utrecht, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht. m.kik@yet.uu.nl
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D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000032:analysis; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D007076:Iguanas; D008116:Lizards; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D014426:Turtles
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D008903:Minerals