Calcium-Rich Diet And Supplements For Your Turtle's Health

Calcium is one of the most important minerals for a turtle's health and it is needed for their bones, shell and muscular function. While turtles can usually get enough calcium through their diet in the wild, captive turtles are more likely to suffer from calcium deficiency.

To ensure your turtle gets enough calcium, you can feed them a variety of vegetables, protein pellets and snacks such as shrimp or crayfish. Leafy green vegetables, especially kale, are rich in calcium and are a very healthy food for turtles.

If you want to use a calcium supplement, you can try the following methods:

- Place your turtle's food in a plastic bag, add a bit of water, and then sprinkle in some calcium powder. Shake the bag to coat the food with calcium and then feed it to your turtle.

- Use a cuttlebone, which is a white, chalky shell that birds use to boost their calcium intake. You can break the cuttlebone into small pieces and moisten them with water or fish liquid to encourage your turtle to eat them.

- Use a slow-release calcium block, which you can simply place in the water.

It's also important to note that turtles need vitamin D3 to absorb calcium. They create this when exposed to UV-B light.

Calcium-rich foods: leafy greens, crustaceans, and feeder fish

Calcium is one of the most important minerals for your turtle's health. It is needed for bone and shell development and muscular function. While turtles can get enough calcium through their diet in the wild, captive turtles often suffer from calcium deficiency.

Leafy Greens

Dark, leafy greens should make up the largest part of your turtle's vegetable intake. Some leafy greens that are rich in calcium include:

• Kale
• Collard greens
• Beet greens
• Mustard greens
• Bok choy
• Parsley
• Swiss chard
• Watercress
• Cabbage

It is important to note that some leafy greens, such as spinach and Swiss chard, contain oxalates that can bind to calcium, preventing its absorption. Therefore, these vegetables should be fed sparingly.

Crustaceans

Crustaceans, such as crayfish, shrimp, and krill, are excellent sources of calcium, especially when fed with their shells intact. They should not be fed daily but can be included in your turtle's diet as a source of calcium and protein.

Feeder Fish

Feeding your turtle the right kind of feeder fish can boost their calcium intake. It is recommended to choose feeder fish that have been raised in outdoor ponds where they can feed on insects and invertebrates, which are rich in calcium. Some good options include:

• Killifish
• Guppies
• Mosquitofish
• Bluegills
• Bass

Feeder fish should be given once a week to avoid overfeeding and potential health issues.

In addition to these natural food sources, you can also provide your turtle with calcium supplements, such as calcium blocks or cuttlebones, to ensure they are getting enough calcium.

Calcium supplements: use a phosphorus-free powder

Calcium supplements are an easy way to ensure your turtle gets enough calcium. Calcium is one of the most important minerals for your turtle's health and a deficiency can cause serious health problems.

To use a phosphorus-free calcium powder supplement correctly, follow these steps:

• Put your turtle's food into a plastic bag.
• Add a small amount of water to the food. You only want enough to make the food slightly moist, but not enough to dissolve the food.
• Add a few scoops of the calcium supplement to the bag.
• Shake the bag to ensure the food is coated in the supplement.
• Allow the food to dry.
• Feed the food to your turtle.

This method ensures the calcium supplement sticks to the food and is not dissolved in the water before your turtle can eat it.

For a fully-grown turtle, a calcium supplement once a week should be sufficient.

Calcium blocks: place in water for slow release

Calcium blocks are an easy and effective way to provide your turtle with a calcium supplement. Calcium is one of the most important minerals for your turtle's health, and a deficiency can lead to serious health issues. To use calcium blocks, simply place the block in your turtle's water supply. The block will then slowly dissolve over time, releasing calcium into the water. This provides a steady source of calcium for your turtle to absorb through its skin and shell.

Calcium release blocks, such as the Zoo Med Dr. Turtle Slow-Release Calcium Block, are designed specifically for this purpose. They are easy to use and can be placed directly into your turtle's water. The blocks contain a combination of calcium sulfate and magnesium chloride, which slowly dissolve and release calcium into the water. One block should be added per tank, regardless of size, and replaced as needed once it dissolves. These blocks not only provide your turtle with essential calcium but also help to condition the water.

In addition to using calcium blocks, it is important to ensure your turtle has access to UVB lighting and heat. This is necessary for proper shell growth and development and will help your turtle absorb calcium effectively.

By providing your turtle with calcium blocks and the appropriate lighting and heat conditions, you can help ensure they get the calcium they need for strong and healthy shells and overall well-being.

Cuttlebones: break into small pieces and moisten

Cuttlebones are a great way to supplement your turtle's calcium intake. They are the bones of cuttlefish, which are closely related to octopuses, and are packed with calcium. They are also inexpensive and provide enrichment for turtles.

Before giving cuttlebones to your turtle, it is important to remove the hard outer shell. This can be done by scraping it off with a knife until you reach the chalky white part underneath. The hard outer shell can be rough and potentially harmful to turtles. Once the shell is removed, break the cuttlebone into small, bite-sized pieces. Alternatively, you can throw the whole cuttlebone into the water, and your turtle will nibble at it whenever they want.

To make cuttlebones more appealing to your turtle, moisten the chunks with liquid from a fish can or plain water. The scent from the fish liquid will attract the turtle, making them more likely to nibble on the cuttlebones.

Cuttlebones do not dissolve quickly in water, so you can leave them in your turtle's tank without worry. A single piece usually lasts for about a week or two. However, be sure to throw out the cuttlebone when it becomes significantly discoloured or dirty.

When purchasing cuttlebones, check for any unusual colours or odours, as these could indicate that the bone is not fresh or safe for your turtle. You can often find cuttlebones sold for birds in chain pet stores and large department stores. If you choose to use cuttlebones marketed for birds, be sure to remove any metal pieces used to attach the bone to a birdcage.

UVB light: essential for calcium absorption

Calcium is one of the most important minerals for a turtle's health. Captive turtles are more likely to suffer from calcium deficiency than those in the wild, so it's important to ensure your pet is getting enough.

Vitamin D3 is needed for turtles to absorb calcium. Their bodies create vitamin D3 when they are exposed to UVB light. Therefore, UVB light is essential for calcium absorption.

Turtles that bask in the sun (termed "heliothermic" species) cannot use the calcium that we provide in their diets unless they have access to UVB light of the proper wavelength. If denied UVB, especially when young, most turtles will suffer severe-to-fatal health problems brought on by calcium deficiency.

Highly aquatic species such as Common and Alligator Snappers, Pig-Nosed Turtles, Matas-Matas, and Softshells usually do fine without UVB if provided with a proper diet. However, as some of these bask at the surface in the wild, or occasionally on land, a UVB source would be useful as "insurance".

UVB-emitting bulbs are available to purchase. The bulb should be located no more than 12-16 inches from the turtle.

Without access to UVB light, your turtle's calcium supplement intake will be largely wasted.

Frequently asked questions