Feeding Pet Turtles: A Nutritional Guide For Owners

Pet turtles have specific dietary requirements that must be met to ensure their long-term health. Turtles are omnivores, meaning they eat both meat and plants, although some species are carnivorous. A turtle's diet should be tailored to its species and age. For example, younger turtles tend to eat more meat, while older turtles eat more fruits and vegetables. Commercial turtle pellets are a good option to ensure turtles get the protein they need, but they should be supplemented with fresh food. Live food is also an important source of protein for turtles, and vegetables should make up most of an adult turtle's diet.

Commercial turtle pellets

Mazuri Freshwater Turtle Diet:

The Mazuri Freshwater Turtle Diet is a well-balanced and cost-effective option. It offers a good Calcium:Phosphorus ratio, high levels of Vitamin D3 and Vitamin E, and a protein content suitable for carnivorous and omnivorous turtles. The pellets are an appropriate size for hatchlings and small turtles, and they float longer without fouling the water. This food is available in bulk packaging, making it a good choice for large-scale keepers.

ZooMed Natural Aquatic Turtle Food:

ZooMed offers a range of turtle pellets suitable for different life stages, including hatchling, growth, and maintenance formulas. The hatchling formula has a high protein content and small pellet size, making it perfect for small turtles. The growth formula has a protein content of 35%, suitable for smooth growth in common species. The maintenance formula is a low-protein option for adult herbivorous turtles. ZooMed pellets are all-natural and do not contain artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives. They are available in various package sizes, including larger bags for small-scale and large-scale keepers.

Omega One Juvenile Turtle Pellets:

Omega One Juvenile Turtle Pellets are made with fresh, high-quality ingredients and provide exceptional levels of Vitamin D3 and Vitamin E. They have a proper Calcium:Phosphorus ratio and a protein content of 39%, making them ideal for active, growing young turtles. The pellets are highly attractive to turtles due to their taste and smell. However, they are relatively costly compared to other options.

Fluker's Aquatic Turtle Diet:

Fluker's Aquatic Turtle Diet is a floating pellet food suitable for aquatic turtles. It provides a balanced diet for turtles, including protein, vitamins, and minerals. The pellets are an appropriate size for small and larger turtles, and the packaging is convenient for both small and large setups.

Other Options:

Other commercial turtle pellets worth considering include Hikari Reptile Turtle Sticks, which offer a well-balanced diet with a good Calcium:Phosphorus ratio and high levels of Vitamin D3 and Vitamin E. Tetrafauna Reptomin Plus is another option, although it has a higher protein content than necessary for some adult turtles. For a low-protein option, consider Aquamax Dense 4000, suitable for herbivore-leaning adult turtles.

Live food

If you have an aquatic turtle, feeder fish are a great option. Goldfish, guppies, bait minnows, and smelt are all commonly used as live prey. Fish with a high fat content, such as mackerel and other oily fish, should be fed sparingly or avoided altogether as they can upset the nutritional balance of your turtle's diet. It is also important to note that feeder fish bought from pet stores or bait stores may carry parasites and bacteria that can infect your turtle, so they should only be given infrequently. Instead, you could try feeding your turtle wild-caught fish, but be aware that these may also contain parasites and other infectious organisms.

Insects are another good option for live food. Earthworms, waxworms, mealworms, crickets, and bee moth larvae are all nutritious choices. You can buy live insects from your local pet store, or you could try feeding your turtle wild-caught insects. However, be aware that insects caught in your yard may introduce bacteria, pesticides, or parasites to your turtle.

If your turtle is aquatic, it will also need to eat small aquatic snails in addition to fish.

Vegetables

Good choices of vegetables for turtles include:

• Dark, leafy greens such as romaine lettuce, collard greens, mustard greens, carrot tops, endive, Swiss chard, kale, parsley, and dandelion greens.
• Green beans, bell peppers, and cabbage.
• Spinach and broccoli (in small amounts).

Some sources suggest that vegetables should make up 80-90% of a turtle's diet, with fruit making up the remaining 10-20%. However, others suggest that adult turtles should eat more than 50% plant material, with the rest of their diet consisting of live animal protein and turtle pellets.

It is important to note that not all vegetables are suitable for turtles. Avoid vegetables that are high in fibre, such as iceberg lettuce and celery, as these can be difficult for turtles to digest and may not provide much nutritional value. Frozen vegetables should also be avoided, as they tend to be deficient in essential vitamins.

Fruits

Some fruits that turtles enjoy include:

• Apples
• Bananas
• Pears
• Grapes
• Kiwis
• Melon
• Mango
• Star fruit
• Raisins
• Peaches
• Tomato
• Guava
• Figs
• Apricots
• Dates
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Oranges

Fruit should be offered raw and cut into small pieces to help with swallowing and prevent choking.

Supplements

If you believe your turtle’s diet is impacting its health, speak with a vet about your concerns. A vet will be able to advise on the right balance of food and supplements for your turtle's health needs.

Calcium

Supplemental calcium can be provided using a calcium block or cuttlebone, which should be given twice a week.

Vitamins

Adult turtles should receive a vitamin and mineral supplement two to three times a week. There are many brands of supplements available—make sure to use one labelled for turtles or reptiles.

Multivitamin

Some veterinarians suggest adding a balanced, commercially available multivitamin once per week.

Frequently asked questions