My red eared slider turtle is not eating. What should I do?

Question

I have a great set-up for my red-ear slider turtle. I usually feed it by hand four pellets twice a day. I used to have a routine by feeing it in the morning and the night but for a week I was forced to get off the routine but now I want to go back to the routine but my turtle is not eating! During that week of being off the routine he still ate, but at odd times. My turtle is very active and seems healthy. Any suggestions? I have tried buying different brands of food. His old brand that he is used to is no longer sold, but I found something very similar...but no luck. Please save my turtle!

Answer 1

They need more than turtle pellets--in fact they need a variety of foods to stay healthy.
They take an awful lot of work and need very special care. Please see www.austinsturtlepage.com for complete care info. Basics are a 10 gallon sized tank for each 1 inch of shell length, a basking area to climb out of the water on, a basking lamp, thermometer to monitor basking temp (digital thermometer a must), a water heater, a water thermometer, a powerful water filter, a UVB bulb which must be within 12 inches of the basking area and changed every 6 months, and change the water very very very often. Feed a variety of foods in a separate tank to help keep things clean. Do not use plants or gravel in the tank. Gravel will cause fatal impactions.

Answer 2

PLEASE don't take any chances with your turtle. Take it to a vet. It may be sick. It may just want to eat at a new time. Turtles go through changes all the time. When the water temperature is too cold the turtle won't be hungry. If it's too high they are starving! If the water is too dirty - forget it - the turtle will not eat a thing! If your turtle has a new schedule go with it. Its OK as long as it's eating. But if it hasn't been eating for over a week then it's time to take it to a vet.

Answer 3

Turtles will usually eat more than four pellets, they need to be fed as much as they can eat in a few minutes, or they will get in the habit of "begging." I recommend feeding your turtle Reptomin turtle sticks, as I have tried other brands and my turtles do not care for them. They love Reptomin.

Try feeding about the same time everyday. Also, try putting a few feeder fish or small rosie fish in the tank for your turtle to eat. This encourages your turtle to chase after their food, as they would in the wild. Your turtle could be bored with his feeding schedule and might need a change. Also, live food offers much needed calcium for strong healthy shells.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Have you tried bumping the temperature in the tank (WATER) They are more active and eat better in warmer water!!

A good water temperature is anywhere between 72 and 80 degrees, depending on the species of turtle you have. It is always a good idea to check the regions from which your turtles live and try to duplicate the temperatures there as best as you can.

Answer 5

try to clean out the whole tank. make sure the water is new and clean. when too much food dissolves in the tank, it gets icky and they might not want to eat because they are uncomfortable. this can also make them sick. i have 2 of them =] good luck! also feel free to call a pet store or even a vet to see if they have any advice.

Answer 6

if it just stays on a basking area a lot and not going to the water much while not eating much that means its sick