Most turtles are omnivorous, eating both meat and vegetables. As their diet can become monotonous over time, turtles require variety in order to remain happy and healthy.
Vegetables such as romaine lettuce, collard greens and zucchini are extremely nutritious foods; they should also be combined with other fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin A for maximum benefit.
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Pellets
Some turtle foods contain both meat and vegetables, while others solely provide protein to your turtle. One such food product is Reptomin, which provides fish meal as well as calcium and vitamin C for your aquatic friend.
Pet food suitable for turtles includes processed pet foods like drained sardines and turtle pellets; others prefer feeding live foods such as crickets, worms, crayfish or feeder fish to their turtles.
Vegetarian diets for turtles include leafy green vegetables such as kale and collard greens, carrots, squash and peas; as well as fruits such as apples, bananas and strawberries (though no citrus fruits). Make sure that your turtle always has access to clean water.
Vegetables
Turtles are natural omnivores and should be fed a variety of animal- and vegetable-based food sources. Avoid processed pet foods or canned goods with added salt, oil or preservatives as these will only attract their interest and be dangerous to their health. Fish is another excellent option, just be sure to rinse it under cool running water first to remove any salt residues or contaminants that might remain.
Give your turtle an array of green leafy veggies like kale, collards and mustard greens as well as carrots, squash and green beans for optimal nutrition. Fruit such as apples, bananas and berries is also beneficial.
Ideally, 80-90% of a turtle’s diet should consist of vegetables and flowers with 20-25% being fruit. As your turtle grows older, its needs may change and include increased amounts of protein while less plant material.
Meat
Pet stores carry food specifically tailored for turtles that will meet their dietary needs, making the majority of your turtle’s food from these sources. Be sure to monitor their intake closely so as not to overfeed your turtle!
Turtles should avoid foods containing dairy products like milk and cheese as well as anything with oxalates as these substances inhibit calcium absorption and may lead to serious health issues in reptiles.
Eggs provide rich sources of protein and iron; however, due to their saturated fat and cholesterol content they should only be offered sparingly. Hard-boil them first before cutting into pieces before giving to turtles.
Fruits
Turtles should receive a varied diet to prevent boredom. Depending on their species and stage of development, juvenile turtles may require more protein from meat sources while adult turtles should increase leafy greens and vegetables in their diets.
Fresh fruits and vegetables provide vital sources of vitamins A, B-complex, C, potassium, calcium, and other important vitamins and minerals for turtles. Watermelons are especially popular among turtles; other tasty snacks for them to try include fresh fruits like berries or even apples or bananas sliced thin.
Vegetables can be fed raw or cooked, but must first be thoroughly washed prior to feeding them to a pet turtle. Avoid giving conventional produce that contains pesticides and chemicals; opt for organically-grown fruits and vegetables when possible or buy flowers from florists instead.
Treats
Turtles require a range of food sources in order to maintain an appropriate nutritional balance. Box turtles need plenty of plants rich in Vitamin A – such as carrots, squash and bell peppers – while aquatic turtles necessitate animal proteins such as live feeder fish or insects as their food sources.
Fresh vegetables such as romaine lettuce and escarole, along with fruits (but not citrus) are good choices for both species of turtles. Most turtles enjoy treats like fish, brine shrimp, crunbled hard-boiled egg yolk, mysis shrimp, earthworms, bloodworms as treats. It is best to refrain from giving any animal-based treats that contain dairy (milk, yogurt or cheese) since these cannot be digested and could lead to digestive upset; dog or cat food may contain harmful bacteria, parasites or chemicals which should never be fed directly onto turtles.
