help! my red ear slider turtle wont eat! why?

Question

my red ear slider turtles wont eat! they use to eat 6 sticks of food. now they dont eat any! why?

Answer 1

take it to a vet.

Answer 2

If you do not have a basking spot for the turtle to get warm you SHOULD NOT feed it during this time of the year. Eating anything could cause the food to rot inside of the turtle and it may kill it.
If you have been feeding it when it was cold, then you need to apply a basking spot for the turtle for one week. Do not feed the turtle during the week unless you plan to keep the basking spot on all winter.
If too cold of temps is not the problem then you need to seek a vet ASAP.

Answer 3

Don't panic. I'm assuming that you're somewhere in the Northern Hemisphere, in which case, they could possibly just be slowing down for the winter. My snake does the same thing. Their little internal clocks might just be telling them that it's time to brumate.

For future reference, though, red eared sliders ought to have a more varied diet than just the sticks. At least 75% of their diet should be fresh foods. Try sticking some veggies in with them. Avoid lettuce; just give them something nutritious.

I found a page with information on feeding here:
http://exoticpets.about.com/od/aquaticturtles/f/feedingturtles.htm

Good luck! Hope they get better.

Answer 4

I was given 3 red ear turtles for my birthday in May. When i got them they were only weeks old and tiny. In 6 months i learned that they like the turtle tank i bought for them ... 20 gal. They like about 3 inches of water to swim in and should have a aquarium filter. They like the basking light and the little thing they sit on out side of the water plus the rocks i put in there for them to sit on. The 2 eat once a day, and do good and are growing, but the other one is as little as the day he was brought home. They like 75 degree water and swim like fish in it. Not sure why the little one is still so little because i have seen it eat. Good luck with them ....
My turtles names are Ben ( for breaking Ben ), Cruz because he is my swimmer and cruises through the water and Tuck because ever time we go near him he tucks his head and feet in, lol.

Answer 5

Don't panic.

Turtles are like humans and have healthy appetites one day and not hungry the next. They especially lose their appetites in the winter time (and they become slower and less active)-

If you are concerned, make sure their tanks are in a heated area (or provide a water heater) to keep their water at room temperature. Also try giving them a variety of foods. Pellets should be only about 25 % of their diet. Other foods to consider: veggies, fish.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Go to turtletimes.com and check out the first aid link on their front page. It's free and gives you some good ideas of things you can try until you can get him to a vet.

Are you monitering his water temperature carefully. It should normally be between 70-75, but if he's sick, get it up to 80F.

Answer 7

Give them time, they might be sick. Dont worry, try giving them small doses of lettuce or half pieces of the sticks. Let them adjust. Have you moved them lately? Or has one of them "turned over?" If you moved them, try moving them back, they life to have familiar environments. Thats y they dont eat a lot when you first bought them. If one of them has died, they are probably depressed and need space, leave them food and change it if they dont eat it in 24 hours. Good LUCK!!

Answer 8

if u have all the lights and stuff try taking it out side for a little bit it just might need some sun light and try different food

Answer 9

It's getting into winter and they slowly cut off on eating so just keep trying.
Nick

Answer 10

I'm having this problem too. I've noticed that they are molting (shedding the skin); the same thing happened at this time last year.

Answer 11

Sister Margaret feeds her turtles fresh parsnips every day and they love it!! Have you tried McDonalds?