Feeding and Nutrition :: Is there such a thing as Veggie Pellets?

[Cade]

Just wondering. Now that my turtle is getting older we are thinking he should be eatting more veggies.
At what age should their diet be mostly veggies?

Cade

[blackforces get you]

they age per year. 3 cm is abut 1 inch which is how much they grow about in a year. since when they grow they tend to eat more veggies and less meat. so its best 1/3 meat 2/3 veggies. just remember as they age they tend to eat more veggies than meat. so feeding small turtles meat they will eat them but once they get older they start to be come more into plants

[zoologist]

i have a good recipe for turtle munchies. they contain gelatin (good for the shell) and veggies. no meat unless you want it.
i'll post it later after i get it off of another forum

[mzkitty23]

zoologist...i would love to see it too!!!!

[TheComputerGremlin]

Veggies should be introduced as early as possible. The sooner you can start good habits, the better. My turtle was eating veggies after I had him for 3 months, I'm estimating his age was around 6-9 months old at that point. He's been eating veggies, fruits, anything not tied down for 6 months now.

Good luck getting your turtle eating veggies!

[Cade]

Our turtle loves red lettuce, carrots, sweet potatoe (only given once a week) and many more veggies but I was worried he is getting too much protein. His shell doesn't look perfect and I was wondering if it might be his diet. We give him pellets every other day. I bought some shell and skin conditioner. I'll have to take a picture of him and post it.
He is basking fine and water is right temp. and filter is working great.
I thought maybe he is growing too fast. I guess I will have to post a pic. so everyone will know what I'm talking about.

[TheComputerGremlin]

There aren't many proteins in veggies, unless you are feeding him beans. However, too many calories (from proteins or veggies/fruits) can cause pyramiding. And if he's not getting enough nutrients, his shell may start looking bad. Far as I know, pellets every other day is after they are 4" and for the rest of their lives. So, he'll never be just eating veggies. Is it possible that you are feeding too many pellets every other day? Can you post a pic of the pellets next to his head? We can help with about how many you should feed him.

[Bladedvixen]

I hope the shell conditioner you are using is not that waxy lotion stuff they sell in petstores. That stuff sounds good, but your turtle needs to be able to completely dry out his shell in order to shed his scutes. I suggest that you stop using it immediately

[octpusgirl8]

Just say NO to Vitashell! A good healthy shell comes from inside, rubbing a greasy cream on the shell only hurts it. I don't know why they sell the stuff, maybe it's good for something...but not aquatic turtle shells! A good balanced diet, with a variety of vegetables, and a good basking area and lighting is all you need.

[Cade]

I will stop using the cream. Thanks for all the advice everyone!
We got Carlos in December from a friends, friend. They did not have the proper lighting in his tank for basking and he had algae all over his shell. The algae is gone now and other than a few spots on his shell he seems healthy and happy and basking regularly.
Thanks again

[mat012]

What about algae disks? I caught Tuck devouring two I left for a pleco. They seem ok from the description and are said to be all veggie. I have given them to him once more when i was out of lettuce - again gobbled them up.

http://www.petco.com/product/4238/Wardl ... Discs.aspx

[Chrisbarnett]

mat, there was a thread about them a while back. Do a search of the forums and you should find it.

[marisa]

I give broken up algae wafers on occasion. Some brands contain only plant matter.

[mat012]

Just checked out the labels... The Wardley algae disks are all veggie but still have about 30% protein. They are primarily made of algae but they also contain soy protein. They have 10% less protein than the reptomin pellets and of course the source is different. Reptomin also contains algae so there is plant matter in them as well - just in different proportions. So I think we should still be careful not to over feed with these as they are not protein free. Would there be any advantage to the meat/fish based protein over the soy?

Thanks Chris - tried to look up the thread tho and could only find a passing reference to the disks. If anyone finds it please pass the link to the past discussion on the topic along. Thanks in advance.

[Chrisbarnett]

mat,

Here ya go
http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... 6ece8d72a6