An Opinion About Leashes for Iguanas

by Catherine E. Rigby-Burdette

I think everyone tries out a leash sooner or later during their iguana parenthood. The opinion is always the same -- the leashes aren’t any good for the iguana!

There are probably four basic models to “iguana leashes.” The first one we had was the modified ferret leash, which is a figure-eight style nylon cord that adjusts with a spring-release. The first loop slips over the iguana’s head and then the second loop is made by fastening beneath the iguana's chest with a clasp.

The second leash we had was a soft imitation leather harness thing with holes for the iguanas arms to slip through. Then a spring-release knob was used to tighten the flaps folded back and to keep the iguana from escaping.

Soft Imitation leather harness leash

Other models include adapted kitten or puppy harnesses, or homemade styles. The homemade styles allow for a custom fit, and if the owner is content to make a new one periodically as the iguana grows, the iguana MIGHT escape spike damage but not other injuries. Other designs fit just above the legs, or around the “waist” of the iguana rather than the front. Another idea is something like a "cuff" around a foot or hand.

Regardless of the make or model of these contraptions, they simply aren’t suited to iguanas. Iguanas can compress their bodies and wriggle free if the harness is too loose. The harness can also choke, chafe, bend or break spikes, and cut off circulation if put on too tight. They can also sprain limbs or pull out toes as the iguana fights to be free of it. The iguana can also get the leash caught on objects or get himself wrapped up in it!

A sight I hate to see is small children with iguanas on leashes. They might drag the iguana along behind them whether or not the iguana wants to move. They could pick up the iguana by the leash and make him dangle in midair. Another animal like a dog or cat could attack the iguana before the child could rescue it. Often youngs kids do not know how to react when their iguana gets frightened and lashes at them. They could step on the iguana, drop the leash, and the iguana could take off running and get his dragging leash caught up in something. The iguana could easily be choked if a well meaning person stepped on the leash to prevent the iguana from running off with it and brought the leash and the iguana to an abrupt stop.

An iguana is not a dog and does not behave like one. If you take your iguana for a walk, it is more likely you will be holding your iguana close to your body than walking behind him on a leash. It is better to invest the time in socializing your iguana and getting him used to being outdoors, than to entrsut his safety to a leash. A leash is simply no insurance against him running away.

My personal experience with leashes? When Sir Galahad was quite small he had a leash, and managed to climb up a tree before I could stop him. So I stood there stupidly holding the leash, with the iguana in the branches above me. I couldn't pull him out for fear of hurting him. I coudn't climb the tree, because I had to drop the leash in order to do so and might make him climb higher if I followed him up there. Finally Paul came along and he climbed the tree and handed Galahad down to me.

Another time we had Gala on a leash in the front yard as Paul was fixing his car. The end of the leash was tied to the metal bars of the house windows and Galahad was calmly sitting on the lawn sunning himself. I think the car noises startled him and he panicked, and managed to wrap himself so tightly amidst the leash and the surrounding grasses that he was in a knot! He was trapped, in direct sunlight, and out of anger he puffed himself up, which only served to constrict him further! He was then not able to breathe well at all. We almost forgot him there on the lawn, as we prepared to go out on errands. This leash thing had not been a habit with us and he slipped out of our minds.

Just before we left the neighborhood I realized he was still out and we drove back and jumped out of the car and ran to him, and found him in the terrible mess he was in. I was so angry at my own stupidity, I ran into the house and grabbed the first knife I saw, hellbent on cutting him free and chopping up his stupid leash and trashing it! Fortunately for Galahad, he survived this and many other mistakes we made in his early care.

Leashes on iguanas are simply not a good idea. We retired all the leashes Galahad ever had, and never put one on any of our later iguanas. We still take them outside for walks, car trips, introduced them to other people passing by, and the only bond between us was that of trust and confidance in our training of our iguanas. I'd like to think that is a stronger and safer link between us and our iguanas than a dangerous nylon cord!

Please, don't buy iguana leashes. They really are not worth these risks:

• bent/broken spikes
• bruises
• lack of blood circulation
• lost claws
• choking/strangulation
• abrasion/chafing
• suffocation
• sprained/broken bones
• a lost iguana