General Care Discussion :: Overfeeding my turtle

[butterfly_kisses91886]

I just read on this site that you only feed a RES over a year old pellets every other day. I was in shock because I have been feeing my turtle pellets like I feed my dogs/cats....3 times a day!! This worries me because I have been doing it for almost 2 years! I read it can cause organ failure and abnormal shedding. I changed his feeding shedule over the last few days and have only fed him once or twice in the past 24 hours. I didn't want to drastically change his feeding all at once, unless I need to...Please let me know if I need to start feeding him once a day right now or if I should gradually wean him.

[blackforces get you]

i think you should just slow how much your feeding him. make sure you balance out the food too with a mix of lettuce and pellets and some fish. just make sure you know what to feed and what not too feed in the feeding and nutrition section.

[SINI5T3R]

Yeah I would just do it right now. No real need to gradually change it, he will be fine. What you should do is do a few pellets depending on size one day, then the next some veggies, fish, or some sort of meat the next. If you get some feeder fish and just let them free swim in the tank they should last a while and your turtle will get them as they want them and the fish will return the favor of housing them by cleaning your tank

here are a few links to show What you should and should NOT feed your turtle.

What To Feed Your Turtle
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=5

What NOT To Feed Your Turtle

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=6