General Care Discussion :: Turtles really don't need to eat that often...

[WeeSnack]

I've been reading a lot on this website about how often and what to feed your turtles...

I've had both my RES's for over 8 years and basically all they've been eating for their entire lives is frozen bloodworms, brineshrimp, and krill. I have never offered them a vegetable, but I have been feeding them pellets lately on occassion. I feed them about once every 1 1/2 weeks in the winter and once a week in the summer.

All I'm saying is, so many people have their turtles on this strict and tight feeding diet and schedule and it really isn't necessary. They're reptiles... they don't need to eat often, they aren't like mammals. My turtles are happy and healthy.

[zoologist]

healthy? with eating a purely protein diet over the years? I highly doubt that....

also, some turtles respond to the schedule. Box turtles are known to get used to routine and so are sulcattas. im sure many turtles appreciate knowing when the next meal will come.

[megcornell]

You're right about not needing a strict schedule. I don't plan out what I feed on Mondays versus Tuesdays etc. It seems like overkill to me.

I do however think that a balanced diet is important. Animals are masters at survival. Dogs certainly could live off of a diet of hamburgers but their lives would be shortened because of it. Likewise, a high protein diet puts undue stress on turtles' organs and can shorten their lifespan. RES are very hardy, so just because they CAN survive doesn't always mean they are thriving.

It's like the ancient turtle who has lived in a goldfish bowl its' whole life. Just because it survived doesn't mean it should have to live in those conditions.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not comparing your diet to horrible conditions, I'm just saying that RES can live in a variety of circumstances. All we try to do is inform people on how to improve their set ups and diets to help ensure that their turtles live long and happy lives. The most important thing is that the turtle is healthy.

Out of curiousity, do your turtles have any signs of pyramiding? And how large are they?

[EmperorTunaFish]

Eat cherrios and drink tap water exclusively for a year, then come back and tell us how you're doing.

[Daniel3507]

that seems like a harsh feeding plan your on. i dont think any turtle could be healthy if it only eats protein.

[mikee]

Wee-S -- You need to feed more veggies and on a little more regular basis. Turtles in the wild eat all the time. I feed mine every other day and it works out fine. Long periond of over feeding and then holding out for a week or so may affect the shell.

[mzkitty23]

depending on the situation, some turtles in the wild may or may not get perfect nutrition....but when we decide to take them in, make them pets, they deserve the best care possible. it's been proven that turtles live healther and longer lives when eating the veggies. whether it's necessary for immediate survival or not, why not give them the best care possible since you've chosen to raise them?

I have mine on a strict feeding schedule. I MAKE his food with a perfect combination of foods that is proven to be healthiest for turtles. i also adjust it as such if he is shedding or anything like that. Okay, maybe it's not NECESSARY that I be so anal about it, but I care about him, and I enjoy taking care of my pets...I would be sad if I had to feed him only once a week! I'd rather feed him less amounts, but more often, that's what I choose because I like to feed him, I like spending time with him so, a lot of us do what we do because we enjoy our pets too, we don't like only giving them necessities, but also extra TLC.

Lots of people have the same idea that turtles are fine living on feeder fish, in fact, most petstores told me that! Maybe, they are "fine" for now, but we have learned so much the last few years about what makes turtles live longer healthier lives since we have chosen to domesticate them.

[meltedspork]

I'd like to see some pics of your "healthy" turtles as proof.

[TheComputerGremlin]

I'm not strict about my feeding schedule, when it comes to fruits and veggies I feed whatever I have in the house. But I think when it comes to pellets, as long as you aren't overfeeding, a small amount daily is good for their metabolism and for keeping a routine. I mean, sure, I could feed my turtle once a week "as many pellets as he'll eat" or I can feed the same amount spaced out over a week. I think it's best to feed every day, IMO.

[Raphulk]

in my opinion. the way you handle your own pet is up to you.
many people who come to this website, are here to seek the correct information, and the facts given by others are just to get them on their feet.

theres nothing wrong with being a good pet owner like that.

once an owner is fully aware of how eating goes with their own pet, then im sure everyone has their own opinions or routines on feeding regimen.

not everyone on this site feeds their turtles the exact same way.
in any aspect, i think variety is what's most important.

meat, veggies, others. just to keep the turtle a little exotic.

[Sk8gal]

My turtles are happy and healthy.

At least try getting him to eat veggies from now on, ok? They'll live longer and have healthier lives

[WeeSnack]

Well like some of you said, they're my turtles, I do love them and take care of them. I take them outside all the time and they crawl around the yard, they have a huge tank with lots of cool stuff in there, I've spent a lot of money on them because I do care about them and love them. I didn't even know they could have plants and stuff until I came to this site, it's not like I was purposely trying to neglect them. So the jerks out there need to just calm down and quit being so rude about it. I was just throwing the fact that my turtles are happy and healthy without having such an anal feeding routine/diet. I offered them some veggies today and they spit them out, so I guess I'll stick to the pellets and keep trying different fruits and veggies.

To the people who were really rude:

[Daniel3507]

keep trying the veggies. they'll start eating them eventually.

[WeeSnack]

I will. I'm gonna go get some water plants and stuff later and I'll be sure that they get more veggies in their diet.

[megcornell]

A lot of turtles who are hesitant to try veggies like the water plants, hopefully yours will as well. Anacharis tends to be a favorite.