Feeding and Nutrition :: How long will they go without eating?

[gossimer]

I have two, 3 year old sliders. They won"t eat pellets but will eat krill, red leafed lettuce and cuttle bone. I have tried the "though love" approach and have only been offering them pellets. It's been 5 days and they won't touch them. I have not offered them anything else during this time as I was hoping they would eat the pellets. They sure are stubborn. How important are pellets in their diet?

[Love of Animals]

Your diet just needs variety. Red leaf lettuce is good but try dandelion greens and green leaf lettuce. Buy some anacharis from your local fish store if they have it. For protein you have krill, not the best. Try soaking the pellets in tuna water first. Just a couple of times. Do that along with tough love. 3 year old sliders should be able to go a long time in between feedings. I would offer all other foods for 6 days. Then on the 7th day I would offer each only one feeding they like. They can be stubborn but they'll get the hint. Keep at it. Do you have a UVB bulb?

[gossimer]

Thanks for the reply. I will try your suggestions. The pellets soaked in tuna water sounds like a great idea. Yes I do have a UVB bulb.

[Turtleish]

Thank you for the pellets in tuna water! I've been having issues with a finicky Yellow-belly slider and this worked wonders.