RES refused to eat.?

Question

My male RES of 4 years refused to take in any food for the 5th day. He walked away when the foodsticks are offered to him. I really do not know what to do?

Jus brought him to the vet. He was given 2 jab. Furosemide injection & stress vitam. I was to give him the jab too every other day. I just hope he will recover soon. Thanks for all your advices. God bless all...

Answer 1

You say he walks away when food sticks are offered to him....How are they offered. Also at 4 years of age he needs to be offered a wide variety of foods.

RES like to eat in the water so they don't walk away from food they would swim away. So I don't get that part of your question. I have a 3 year old RES and I have yet to find anything that mine won't eat. If she refused to eat even one day I would know she was sick.

Have you only been feeding the logs? That could be the problem. What is yours home enclosure like? Is it in a tank?or a pond? How big is he and his enclosure? Many things can effect appetite.

Mine eats just about all fresh fruits and vegs. I would also offer calcium cuttle bones. Mine loves broiled chicken as well. I also feed mine frozen vegs and mixed can vegs. when in a pinch for the fresh. My RES loves sliced tomatoes, cauliflower, zucchini, cucumbers, broccoli, apple slices, etc.....

If he continues not to eat a vet trip is in order. You need to find a vet that has knowledge of RES. Evita

Answer 2

Well...

THE most common reasons a turtle does not eat are cold water, wrong foods, stress from a bad habitat (small tank, dirty water, bullys), or illness.

What I would recommend is to review the cares from a good reference, such as http://www.redearslider.com and see if there is something you need to correct.

- Water temps should be about 75-80, basking site at 90F
- Tank size should be about 10 gallons of water per inch of shell length
- pellets (logs) only are a poor choice of foods, see the site for better choices
- Is the turtle acting odd- film over the eyes, swimmnig funny, etc.?

Answer 3

In instances where a RES refuses to eat, you need to first make sure the water temperatures are correct (75-78F). Temperatures that are too cold will inhibit appetite and reduce activity. If you are a new red ear slider owner, you need to understand that you must feed them in water. You can simple drop food in and in some cases feed by hand. You may NOT want to try that initially, since being in a new environment will be very stressful and distracting.

RES must eat in water and food that is alive, has a strong odor and/or bright color usually work well. For instance, water from canned tuna fish may be used to moisten pellets to strengthen taste and smell. Remember, foods that are used to encourage eating are not a staple food or even the optimal treat. They should be rarely used or not at all and is only a temporary solution. Remember to not over feed and overcompensate for previously missed meals. Here are some suggestions from the previous lists to try to entice a reluctant RES.

Live prey Feeder fish
Guppies
Rosy red minnows
Crickets (pinhead)
Earthworms
Mealworms


Processed / cooked / canned foods Boiled egg whites
Boiled white chicken, turkey meat
Salmon (Canned - in water)
Tuna fish (Canned - in water)
Bloodworm (Midge fly larvae)
Crickets (pinhead)
Gammarus (shrimp)
Mealworms (freeze-dried)


Related Topics: Overfeeding
Methods to Entice Eating Pellets, Vegetables

Pellets should be the staple of our turtle’s diet. If you haven’t done so already, you should purchase a new can of reputable pellets. As mentioned earlier, soaking pellets in tuna water is often worth an attempt. The strong taste and smell can make a pellet more appetizing. You can quickly dip a pellet in this water or you can marinate or soak for a short while and let it dry a little to harden up.

You can also crush and mix pellets with other foods (see above list). However, try to stick with pellets and gradually increase the pellet concentration. New turtles, whether a hatchling or adult, may be very reluctant to eat in a new, distracting environment.

Over time, pellets will dissolve and break apart in the water. Do not assume your turtle is eating because you no longer find pellets in the water. Remember to not over feed and overcompensate for previously missed feedings.

Since vegetables should be an important diet of RES, especially older ones, turtle keepers have also been able to apply this method for vegetables. It is worth noting that younger RES are more carnivorous and will be more accepting of pellets and prey. You should continue to offer it, regardless if your turtle shows interest. One option that has also worked well for others is adding aquatic plants. They are relatively maintenance free and will live in your tank until eaten. Make sure you rinse any aquatic plants before adding them into your tank. They are known to harbor snails, which your turtle may even be interested in but can over run your tank.

Related Topics: Aquatic plants / Pellets

Answer 4

turtles need there water temperature at a certain stage to be healthy and have a healthy appetitite.... when i had my turtle for the first time it wouldnt eat but i soon found out about the water temperature thing and i got it a uv bulb and in a about a day it was eating really healthy and its shell got all nice and pretty...

really try it or if not try a water heater oh and rmb to have an area for him to bask on with his uv bulb... they love this... and is very necessary

oh and a place to hide(applies for all reptiles)


edit:: ooo good u took him to the vet, i hope he gets well :D

Answer 5

Is your water temperature too cold?

They will not eat when the temp drops below 70ish. They stop eating and get ready to hibernate. Don't guess at the temp - you can get affordable thermometers at the pet store.

You can get a sturdy water heater, and a heat lamp for his basking area.

Answer 6

well do you always feed foodsticks? if you do then try to offer other food as well. keep in mind fruits and veges are also part of their diets. if it still refuse to eat bring it to a vet. also make sure they are under the right temp

Answer 7

Take him to your vet right away, my last dog that did that died of "Parvo"