Depending upon the type of turtle you own, their dietary requirements may be vary slightly, especially if you have aquatic turtles versus land turtles or tortoise. As relatively low-maintenance pets, turtle owners often boast about how mesmerizing and enjoyable these creatures can be. To ensure your turtle experiences a happy and health-filled life, here’s what you need to know about their basic nutritional requirements:

Formulated Diets

Since your turtle doesn’t live in the wild, their feeding regiment should include a formulated diet that offers all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals they require to be their best! Saki-Hikari® Turtle as an option which is the 1st turtle diet on the market to include a probiotic and highly effective odor-stop ingredients which can also help improve water quality. If you need help, check in with us for help creating a meal plan for your pet turtle.

Fruits & Vegetables

Offer sliced apples, muddled berries, and cubed melons as occasional treats. Be sure to avoid over doing it as this can cause them to avoid properly formulated diets that provide necessary nutrients. Fresh produce is an excellent occasional option. Dark, leafy greens such as collards, kale, or mustard greens alongside shredded carrots and zucchini are excellent choices.

Feeder Fish/Worms

Certain types of turtles are omnivorous, meaning they require both animal and plant matter. For them, small feeder fish or worms can serve as an excellent source of protein. Care should be taken to avoid contamination issues caused by parasites and bacteria these creatures can bring with them. Try to buy from a reliable source or use a frozen food, like ®Hikari Bio-Pure® which offers 3-Step sterilization to avoid these issues.

Insects

An alternative form of protein for omnivorous breeds, certain turtles prefer their protein in this form (frozen, freeze dried or alive!).

Supplements

Depending on your turtle and their appetite, certain breeds require additional supplements like Vitamin A, calcium, vitamin D3 and phosphorous. Be sure to discuss your turtle’s unique needs with your pet food specialist or veterinarian.