what can i feed my pet turtle?

Answer 1

Turtles can be expensive to feed, especially since they are exotic pets, and pet stores do not carry too many brands of turtle food. You have probably seen the words "food stick" appear quite a few times on the site, so let us explain what these are. Buying feeder fish can be quite expensive in the long run, food sticks can help keep your turtle healthy. One brand we recommend is

Among the better commercial foods for aquatic and semi-aquatic turtles are Tetra Reptomin floating Turtle sticks. Again, these are expensive, so you can get creative and mix in other fish food, and bits of meat, fruit and vegetables.

It is important that you keep a close watch on your turtle's diet, and if you own more than one turtle, make sure they both get to eat equal amounts of food. Turtles are generally messy when they eat, so make sure to keep the water clean and free of debris, as small decomposing particles of flesh can get trapped under rocks and logs and contaminate your turtle's environment.

If you notice your turtle seeming lethargic and having cloudy skin patches, or milky eyes, it may be because of poor nutrition or disease. Make sure you take your turtle to a veterinarian who knows about reptiles to determine whether the animal's diet is too blame, or if there are other factors involved.

Another good practice is to feed your turtle live fish at least once a week, to make sure it gets to exercise. Turtles like to hunt, and it is also great fun to watch them dive in after small fish.

Make sure to have a water dish in your turtle's terrarium or pen, since it will be a clean source of water from it to drink from, as its swimming water is mostly contaminated with urine and feces.

Both aquatic and terrestrial turtles have similar feeding habits, although aquatic turtles seem to keep eating meat even when they are older, whereas terrestrial turtles have a tendency to eat more vegetation. Older turtles eat less meat because they require less protein, therefore, special care must be taken not to overfeed turtles with protein rich food. As for vegetation, turtles like berries, and some leafy vegetables, including lettuce, cabbage, alfalfa, and clover.

Answer 2

Never feed a turtle or tortoise lettuce or cabbage. There is no nutritional value in either and it's not good for them. Water turtles are more carnivorous and land turtles are vegetarians. I have fed my red ears sliced bread, lunch meat, shrimp, cat food, dog food, and meal worms. Of course you should never feed any of these things in excess! Also try to find a vitamin powder for your little guy. My land turtles love live food especially beetles and such. I think I even saw her eat a frog once out in the yard.

Answer 3

This depends on the species. Try http://www.austinsturtlepage.com for specifics for your species.

Some common examples:

Pond turtles- as young, they eat mostly aquatic meats- good pellets, krill, shrimp, worms, bugs, etc. When they get older, add some dark leafy greens and colorful veggies.

Box turtles should eat mostly insect-type meat- bugs, worms, small arthropods, very lean meat, etc. The rest of the diet can be a variety of plants similar to what they could forage- dark leafy greens, strawberries, mushrooms, fruit.

Grassland tortoises eat almost totally 'dry forage'- grasses, hays, leaves, flowers, etc. supplemented with various vegetables.

Forest tortoises tend to eat mostly fruits, a decent chunk of proteins, and wetter veggies and greens.

There are things that can make most turtles ill- fatty meat (burger, hot dogs, much pet food), bananas (too sugary), spinach, light green head lettuces, citrus, too much of any member of the cabbage family, etc.

The rule of thumb should always be 'is it available to the turtle in the wild?'

Answer 4

go to the pet store and ask someone who works there which type of food is most recommended for the type of turtle you have

also, maybe you should research how to take care of your turtle
because otherwise you might not be taking care of it correctly

I recommend "An Owner's Guide to a Healthy Pet- The Turtle" or "Turtles-The Complete Pet Owner's Manual"

Answer 5

it depends on if it is an aquatic turtle or a regular turtle. but if it is an aquatic turtle, fruits, veggies, or green stuff. but they should be cut or into bite sized pieces. they like to eatin the water too. or little insects and fish can be placed in the tank also.

Answer 6

EVERYTHINGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Turtles are omnivorous so they eat about every thing. that is if it is a land turtle

Answer 7

my turle eats celery and bits of lettuce stuff like that they love it!

Answer 8

lettuce and any leafey green