Most turtle species kept as pets are omnivorous and require both plant and animal-derived nutrition for proper development. Here are some foods you could feed to your turtle:
Avoid feeding them any cooked or processed foods like fried food, dairy products, nuts, bread, pasta and sugary snacks as these cannot be digested correctly and could potentially lead to health issues for them.
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Vegetables
Turtles need a varied diet that includes fresh vegetables and fruits as well as non-toxic aquatic plants like water hyacinth and duckweed.
Your turtle should receive most of its nutrition from leafy greens such as collard greens, kale, mustard greens, Swiss chard and romaine lettuce – though iceberg lettuce should be avoided since it contains low levels of essential vitamins and minerals.
Provide leafy greens as part of their diet to prevent vitamin deficiencies and ensure maximum calcium consumption – particularly important when feeding juvenile turtles who may be at greater risk of nutritional deficiency. Aim to provide at least 50% of your turtle’s food through leafy greens! Leafy greens contain essential vitamins and minerals while being an abundant source of calcium – something particularly relevant when caring for juveniles at greater risk of nutritional deficiency.
Fruit
Turtles can eat many different fruits such as bananas, apples, berries, pears and melons; however, lemons, limes, oranges, mandarins and grapefruit contain high concentrations of persin which may be toxic to turtles.
These aquatic insects feed on leafy green vegetables like kale, parsley and cabbage as well as carrots and squash. Furthermore, they eat submerged plants such as water hyacinth, duckweed and azolla that have recently emerged in waterways.
As fruits and veggies contain high amounts of sugar and can cause digestive upsets, you should only give small portions to your turtle at one time. Also, peel all fruits before feeding them to them as this will ensure optimal nutrition.
Furthermore, turtles should never be fed fatty foods such as cheese and chocolate, nor those packed in oil with added salts or sugars. You may occasionally feed cooked chicken as an exception – although only occasionally.
Canned Fish
Turtles should only be fed fully-cooked fish that is free from salt or sugar additives, such as sardines, salmon and trout. Furthermore, only provide them with small portions as these high protein foods could potentially harm them.
Your turtle may benefit from eating some boiled eggs as they provide them with an important source of protein. Just be sure to remove their shell first as this could potentially make them sick!
Apples, berries and non-toxic vegetables such as water hyacinth, kale and alfalfa are safe foods for turtles to eat. You should give your turtle some meat occasionally as well; too much of any one type can lead to pyramiding; thus it’s important for its health that it consumes a wide range of foods in order to remain balanced and well.
Meat
Turtles require a healthy balance of leafy greens, fruits and vegetables in their diet to remain in good condition. While commercial turtle pellets offer many of these vitamins and minerals in one convenient package, it’s best to offer your turtle fresh foods that provide variety that mimic the diet they would receive in nature.
Some options for leafy greens include romaine lettuce, collard greens, Swiss chard, kale and mustard greens (but avoid iceberg lettuce as it contains high levels of oxalate). You could also offer carrot tops, squash or green beans.
As a special treat, give your turtle small bits of cooked chicken as an occasional treat. However, remember to cook all meat thoroughly prior to giving them as any uncooked meat could contain Salmonella bacteria which could pose health risks to both people and turtles alike. Also avoid food that contains high amounts of processed, sweet or salty components as these could cause digestive upset in turtles.
