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The best turtle food for optimal health

PawTracks Contributor
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A good type of commercial product you can buy for your turtle is floating pellets. By bobbing on the top of water, the pellets make it easier for turtles to locate. Moreover, the pellets typically contain no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. When you’re on the lookout for more good food options for your turtle, keep these smart products in mind.

Although pet turtles will eat aquatic insects, insect larvae, snails, crustaceans, water plants, algae, and some fruit, vegetables are an ideal food source. Think shredded carrots, squash, water lettuce, and zucchini, for example. There are helpful products on the market, as well, including these healthy and nutritious options that your turtle will love.

Fluker’s Turtle Food

Best Overall

If you’re interested in one of the best turtle foods around, explore Fluker’s Turtle Food. The essentially balanced pellets include all necessary vitamins and minerals. The food product is a combination of vitamin-fortified pellets, freeze-dried river shrimp, and freeze-dried mealworms. The blend helps ensure a turtle receives the proper balance of essential proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Related

Tetra Reptomin Floating Food Sticks

Best for Ponds

If your pet turtle lives in an aquatic pond, the Tetra Reptomin Floating Food Sticks are an ideal food source. The vitamin- and calcium-enriched floating food sticks can be fed to all water turtles, amphibians, and other aquatic reptiles. The nutritious product is manufactured to strict quality-control standards for all aquatic turtles, newts, frogs, and similar pets.

Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Turtle Food

Best Pellets

There are many pellets to choose from, but which one might be best for your turtle? The Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Turtle Food rises to the top. It’s available in three pellet sizes and protein levels (hatchling, growth, and maintenance) that are scientifically formulated to meet the dietary requirements of aquatic turtles at each stage of their lives.

Make it easy on yourself and your pet turtle by buying foods that are nutritious, simple to use, and a cinch for a turtle to find. These leading turtle foods cover all those bases, and more.

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Are you looking for a conversation piece for your office? Consider buying a fish. They are low-maintenance office pets. They’re relaxing to watch and invite more conversation than a houseplant. 

If you work in a cubicle or only have a small amount of space to devote to a fish, consider one of these varieties. As long as you feed them regularly and keep their tank clean, they’ll provide hours of enjoyment for you and anyone who visits your office during the workday.

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5 warning signs your turtle is sick
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The good news: Turtles can live for up to 50 years in captivity and will stay "young" for decades. That means you can enjoy many, many years of fun with your reptile and not worry about her passing too young. However, as with any pet, you should check her frequently for signs of illness. Even animals with this type of longevity can get sick, and you definitely don't want anything shortening her impressive life span. Check her for these sick-turtle symptoms to ensure she makes it to a ripe old age.

How to tell if your turtle is sick
Hopefully, you find a vet when you first bring your new pet home and get regular checkups. Certain symptoms should trigger you to make that call sooner than the annual visit, though. Turtles aren't as expressive as mammals or birds and so can be harder to read. Be sure you're checking your animal weekly for any signs of distress, perhaps during a regular feeding or cleaning day.
Runny nose
Just like us, turtles get respiratory illnesses. You might see some snot, cloudy eyes, or breathing difficulties. Oftentimes, these infections are actually signs of a bigger problem like a vitamin deficiency or a poorly constructed environment. Basically, your pet will be much more likely to get sick if everything else isn't working in her environment. A reptile doctor may help diagnose the deeper issues while you get meds to take care of the immediate problem.
Disfigured shell
While turtles generally prefer to be hands-off, you should examine your pet every so often. Pay particular attention to the shell, as that will be a good indicator of many issues and diseases. Notice if it feels too soft, is bleeding, or has cracks. Shell cracks often occur when your turtle winds up in a dog's mouth or crushed under an object. So, sometimes you'll know right away that damage has been done. Of course, this requires an emergency visit to the doc but can often be repaired. Alternatively, a general softness or a discoloration usually means an issue with diet.

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Is your turtle sick? Here’s how to tell
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We all know what a sick human looks like: fever, flushed face, chills, and maybe a cough. But it’s much more difficult to tell when your turtle feels bad. Unfortunately, he can't tell you (in words at least), and he won’t necessarily exhibit the symptoms we recognize. That doesn't mean you have to develop a psychic connection with turtles to assess their health. You have a few easy ways of knowing when something’s wrong with your reptile. Here’s how to tell if your turtle's sick.

Preventing illness
While every person gets sick sometimes, your turtle can live a long life disease-free with the right care. Remember, this pet is one of the longest-lasting (only really beaten by his cousin, the tortoise) and requires daily care for about 50 years. So, think carefully before you commit!

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