Aquatic turtles require access to a diverse selection of proteins and vegetables that correspond with those found in their natural environment.
Avoid feeding wild-caught fish or amphibians as these may contain parasites which could affect turtles. Also avoid providing pet store food as this could lack calcium and phosphorous essential for optimal growth.
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Meat
At home or in the wild, turtles are generally omnivorous animals that require protein-rich meat for sustenance; this is especially true with Slider and Painted Turtles that feed predominantly on protein-rich red meat which can lead to vitamin E deficiency while fish such as smelt or mackerel can lead to deficiencies of Thiamine (Vitamin B1).
To avoid this situation, it is recommended that turtles should only receive as much food as can fit within 15 minutes into their head and neck area. A more diverse diet containing both fresh vegetables and live animal proteins would be optimal; commercial Turtle Flakes provide some nutrition but tend to clog filters easily while fresh plants contain vital dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals that should satisfy most turtle diet needs.
Vegetables
A turtle diet should primarily consist of leafy greens like kale, parsley, collard greens, spinach and romaine lettuce. Additionally, carrots, squash and bell peppers should also be provided as non-sugary sources of nutrition.
Fresh food is often preferred over canned due to being lower in salt content and other preservatives that could potentially harm turtles, plus most turtles prefer fresh over frozen foods.
As most turtles can quickly tire of eating the same thing every time, providing variety is also key for their overall wellbeing and healthy diet. Doing this ensures they get all of the essential vitamins and nutrients required for good health.
Stay away from foods with added salt or processed sugar, and never give a turtle dairy products as these may lead to digestive upset and cause significant distress for them.
Fruits
Although fruits may provide tasty treats for their turtles, they should not form the basis of their diet as they contain excessive levels of sugar that could prove toxic for certain creatures.
Fresh foods should be provided to turtles. Relying solely on commercial turtle pellets could prove unhealthy as these contain less vitamins and minerals than natural alternatives.
Vegetables that are safe to feed include leafy green vegetables such as collard, mustard and mustard greens, kale, dandelion greens as well as carrots (including tops), squash and green beans.
Earthworms and other insects from your yard should only be provided as occasional treats as these may contain bacteria, pesticides and parasites that could introduce illnesses into their diet. You could offer cooked chicken or beef as treats from time to time as well.
Insects
Aquatic turtles require a diet consisting of both meat and vegetables for proper wellbeing. Fish like smelt and mackerel should only be provided sparingly due to their high fat content which could result in vitamin E deficiency. Leafy greens like kale and spinach, soft vegetables such as zucchini and carrots should be provided alongside fruits such as blueberries that do not contain seeds in small pieces only.
Insects can provide important nutrition to turtles. Crickets, mealworms, cockroaches, grasshoppers and houseflies are safe for turtles to eat; two days prior to giving the insects to your turtle, be sure to “gut load” them with foods high in calcium such as sweet potatoes or high quality fish flakes for best results and to prevent “shell pyramiding” and organ damage.
Shrimp
Shrimp can provide aquatic turtles with an enrichment or treat item, but its consumption should never account for more than 10% of their diet – otherwise too much shrimp can lead to nutritional imbalances that cause severe health risks for these aquatic turtles.
Turtles enjoy being fed foods such as kale, dandelion greens, romaine lettuce, collard greens, water hyacinth anacharis and azolla (fairy moss). Turtles also love other vegetables like sweet potatoes carrots squash zucchini and broccoli while fruits such as melons apples and berries make great treats!
Keep your turtle away from any dairy products as they cannot digest them properly and may lead to severe indigestion. Also avoid giving him anything too salty or processed sugary treats as these could potentially harm his digestive health.
