Feeding Your Pet Turtle
It may seem that your pet turtle would be easy to feed and you can just give it table scraps for food. However this isn’t exactly true. Turtle’s, like many reptiles, need a well balanced diet. You cannot simply give them a couple of carrots here and some lettuce there. Their diets will include both meat and veggies. Remember thought just because a turtle can eat something doesn’t mean that it should. If available, all of the products that you feed your turtle should be purchased specifically for turtles. You should feed your turtle according to its age. Younger turtles can be fed more meat and can often be fed in general more often. When a turtle gets more mature they require less food, and also less meat.
When you are planning your turtle’s meal remember to maintain the wide variety of foods that they need to keep them healthy. The leading causes of problems that show up in a vet’s office are from malnutrition. Poor nutrition can be associated with milky eyes, and cloudy skin patches. However, if these symptoms do show up, it is best to have a veterinarian see your pet for proper diagnoses. Other problems associated with poor nutrition are fungus problems and parasites in the intestines. Additionally, any foods that are given to your turtle that are large or bigger than there head, should be cut up or shredded if possible. This will give the turtle a better eating experience and help them digest the food better.
A turtle’s diet should include the following:
• 25% formulated turtle diet food. This type of food can be found in any pet store that sells turtles.
• 25% animal protein. This can from a variety of sources such as meal worms, earthworms, goldfish, and others. Be sure to buy these things from the pet supply store as well. Digging up worms from your backyard could contain harmful pesticides or fertilizer.
• 50% dark leafy greens. These can be such things as spinach, dandelion leaves, and more. Do not feed your turtle iceberg lettuce; they have a poor nutrition level.
• Any foods that are given to your turtle that are large or bigger than there head, should be cut up or shredded if possible. This will give the turtle a better eating experience and help them digest the food better.
Turtles can also be messy when they eat. They may take their food off to another place or spread it around. Lingering food or animal carcasses can lead to disease, fungus, and a smelly, dirty tank environment. Often times when a turtle eats, it will defecate, or urinate as well. This is why it is a good idea to feed your turtle in a place other than its home. If you can use a tub that is separate it will make cleaning easier and is not stressful for the turtle.
Along with the feeding of your turtle, you should always provide clean drinking water. Even thought your turtle may have a nice little lagoon to swim around or soak in, it is also the same water they defecate, and urinate in. Providing clean water for them to drink form will help keep them healthy.
Tagged With nutrition, pet turtle, Turtle Food, turtles