What to Feed Pet Turtles

Turtles make great pets for anyone who is allergic to animals with fur, such as cats and dogs. Turtles like to eat many different foods, and it will be your responsibility as a pet owner to make sure they get the right balance. Otherwise, the turtles could get very sick.

  1. Fruits and Vegetables

    • Turtles love fresh fruits and vegetables, and these foods provide them with some much-needed calcium. Make a tiny salad for your pet each day. The salad can include any type of lettuce, cauliflower, carrots, blueberries, cantaloupe, collard greens and avocado. Chop the fruits and vegetables into bite-sized pieces so that it is easier for the turtle to eat and digest them. A normal serving will be 3 tsp. for each turtle, although the turtles might not finish it all.

    Fish and Insects

    • Your turtles will need more than just fruits and vegetables to stay healthy. They also need some protein, which can be found in fish, earthworms and crickets. You can purchase all three of these at any pet store, or go hunting for them yourself. The best part about serving these to your pet fresh is that your turtles must chase after them in order to get their meal. This will keep your turtles active so that they do not become overweight.

    Turtle Food

    • You might want to supplement with some manufactured turtle food. This food has added nutrients that turtles need to remain healthy. You can purchase turtle food at any pet store or online. You can use the turtle food as a main source of food to replace the fish and earthworms, but you will still need to give your turtles some fresh fruits and vegetables. There are two types of turtle food to choose from: Pick a tortoise food if you have turtles that mostly stay on land; pick aquatic food if your turtles mostly stay in water.