can turtles eat turkey

Turtles are unique pets that are entertaining to learn about and watch. Pet turtle care doesn’t involve as much hands-on training as dogs and cats, but turtles have particular needs like appropriately-sized tanks, UVB light, and the right kind of diet. Without an appropriate feeding plan, your turtle could get sick or die, so it’s important to understand what to feed them, how often, and what to do if they don’t eat.

The right diet for your turtle depends on their size, species, age, habitat, and other details.Â

What to feed them. Generally, pet turtles are omnivores, meaning that they eat both meat and plants. A typical adult pet turtle diet should include animal products, vegetables, and fruits. Younger turtles between about 7 to 10 years old usually need a larger share of animal-sourced foods. The percentage of animal and vegetable foods your pet turtle needs depends on their species.

Animal food sources. Animal-based food sources for turtles can include processed pet foods like drained sardines, turtle pellets, and trout chow. You can also feed them cooked chicken, beef, and turkey. Live prey can include moths, crickets, shrimp, krill, feeder fish, and worms. Make sure you get insects from a pet store or undeveloped field, or raise them yourself, to ensure quality and safety.

Plant food sources. Plant-based food sources for your pet turtle should mostly be leafy greens like collards, dandelions, and mustard greens. Some of these vegetables, such as chives, parsley, and spinach, contain high levels of chemicals called oxalates, which you should avoid.

Fruits can include apples, cantaloupe, bananas, berries, and mangoes. You can also feed them non-toxic aquatic plants like water hyacinth, water lettuce, and duckweed.

How often to feed them. Feed an adult turtle once every day or two, and a juvenile one to two times a day, though this can vary depending on the species.Â

How much to feed them. The amount of food to give your pet turtle depends on its species. As a general rule, especially for pellets and other non-living foods, only let your turtle eat as much as they can within about 20 minutes and then remove any leftovers.

How to serve the food. Aquatic turtles and land turtles have different preferences when it comes to how they eat their food. Aquatic turtles only eat underwater, so you’ll need to place food in their water tank. If you have a land turtle, place its food on a flat, hard surface like a rock, or on grass. Many turtle owners also choose to chop a mix of vegetables to feed them, so the turtle isnt just eating one type and avoiding other nutritious plants they might not like as much.

Be species specific. Different species of turtles have varying dietary requirements. Research the nutritional needs of your turtle’s species, and contact your veterinarian with any questions or concerns.

More On Pet Health

Common Concerns for Feeding Pet Turtles

Overfeeding. Turtles can become obese just like humans and many other animals. Overfeeding your turtle can make them gain excess fat, causing them trouble when pulling their arms and legs into their shell. To avoid overfeeding, make sure your turtle lives in a big enough space to move freely. At minimum, tanks should be 30 gallons for turtles up to 6 inches long, and up to 125 gallons for turtles over 8 inches long. Feeding your turtle live prey also lets them hunt and get exercise.

Vitamin deficiency. Turtles are prone to vitamin A deficiency if their diet isn’t right. Symptoms of too little vitamin A in turtles include a decrease in appetite, eyelid and ear swelling, kidney failure, and lung infections.

Turtles need lots of foods with vitamin A, so choose plants like carrots, squash, bell peppers, and other red, orange, and yellow vegetables. Avoid vegetables with low nutritional value like lettuce and celery. To treat Vitamin A deficiency, a veterinarian may recommend Vitamin A treatments injected or taken by mouth.

Hygiene. Turtles often defecate while they eat, so keeping their food in a separate container can help them avoid accidentally eating feces. Clean any uneaten food out of their tank regularly so that it doesn’t grow unwanted bacteria and algae.

What to do if your turtle won’t eat. If your turtle isn’t eating enough, it could be a sign of illness, but other factors might be at play. Make sure your tank’s temperature and water temperature, lighting, and size are ideal for your turtle’s species. Hibernation and stress can also lead to lack of appetite in turtles. Check with a veterinarian about any symptoms and behaviors, and make a visit if symptoms don’t improve after you make changes. Â

Can Turtles Eat Turkey?

FAQ

Can I feed my turtle turkey?

Turtles will also eat a variety of home food, including bread and bologna. Chicken, beef, turkey, and fish are all good, too. My turtle just loves bologna! If you have the time and patience, you can also go out and catch bugs for this little guy to eat and just put them in the water.

What should you not feed turtles?

A word of caution, though: always wash fruits and vegetables before giving them to your turtle because they may have pesticides on them that could hurt them. Also, you shouldn’t share certain fruits and vegetables, like onions, garlic, shallots, hot peppers, citrus, and iceberg lettuce.

What foods are toxic to turtles?

• Chocolate: The sugar in chocolate is dangerous for turtles
• Dairy: Ice cream and cheese curds can harm turtles
• Fried foods: These are dangerous for turtles

Can I feed my turtle cooked meat?

Cooked chicken, beef, or turkey. You can also try fresh worms. Use cooked meats only occasionally–it’s better for your turtles to eat live prey in their tank more often than not.

Can turtles eat turkey meat?

Yes, turkey meat is a good source of protein for turtles, but it’s important to make sure that it’s properly cooked before feeding it to your pet. undercooked or raw turkey can cause health problems for turtles, so always err on the side of caution and cook the meat until it is well done.

What do turtles eat?

Turtles are more omnivorous and can eat a variety of foods, including tortoise food. Tortoises, on the other hand, are herbivores and their diet should consist mostly of hay, leafy greens, and vegetables. That said, tortoise food does contain some of the nutrients that turtles need in their diet.

Can turtles eat eggs?

Turtles should only eat dates in moderation since they contain a lot of sugar. Too much sugar can be bad for a turtle’s health, so it’s important to limit the amount of sugar they consume. Yes, turtles can eat eggs. Hard-boiled or powdered eggs are safe, but avoid uncooked eggs since they can carry salmonella bacteria.

Can turtles eat grass?

Some turtles can eat grass, but it won’t provide them with much nutrition. For example, box turtles are mostly herbivorous and will consume a variety of plants, including grass. However, they also need other sources of food to meet their nutritional needs. No, onions are not good for turtles.

Can turtles eat apples?

Yes, turtles can eat apples as an occasional treat. Apples are a good source of fiber and vitamins. However, too much fruit can cause turtles to develop health problems, so it’s best to only give them a small piece of apple as a special snack every once in a while. Can Turtles Eat Aloe Vera? Yes, turtles can eat aloe vera.

Can turtles eat tomatoes?

No, turtles can not eat tomatoes since they are nightshades that can contain toxic alkaloids (tomatine). Plus, tomatoes are also acidic and can upset a turtle’s stomach if eaten in large quantities Yes, turtles can eat tuna. However, it is important to avoid giving them tuna that has been canned in oil, as this can lead to health problems.