Feeding and Nutrition :: turtle refuses to eat "good" stuff

[mariemareska]

How long can a baby res go without eating? I made the "mistake" since mine wouldn't eat of giving it some of the dried shrimp that is in the Reptomin pack that has three different foods. He ate THAT like crazy. I realize that it isn't what he needs for health so after letting him eat it enough to feel like he had some reserves I started substituting the "good" stuff. Won't touch it. Two days without food and he still swims around and through it and doesn't even peck at it. I tried soaking it in tuna water. Nothing. Day three and I dropped a couple of pieces of tuna in and he ate those like he did the shrimp. So, what I need to know is how long can I safely starve him trying to get him to eat something that is good for him? I also tried the Yardley pellets and he ignores them the same way.

[Tenodera]

Try putting some of the "good stuff" in with the shrimp so it gets the same shrimy smell, or dip some of the pellets in tuna juice. Usually that will work

If it doesn't, you'll have to be tough on him...Turtles can be too spoiled sometimes lol
Turtles are reptiles and don't need a constant energy source to keep them warm and going. So a baby can go for days, maybe even a week without food.

[mariemareska]

I have already tried putting the good stuff in tuna juice......swam right past it....but thanks for letting me know that a couple of days isn't a problem.

[Vtolds]

He will eat when he gets hungry, it took 3 days for my RES to start eating or do anything really.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Let me point out that turtles eat their own poop (really, they do!).

So if they will eat their own poop, you can pretty much get them to eat anything if you are creative enough. You can chop up the lettuce/veggies into small pieces & mix with tuna. Feed the mixture. Then in subsequent feedings, slowly add less & less of the tuna. After about a week or two, they will eat the veggies/lettuce without the tuna. This works. Try it & report back after about a week.

[Bascomb]

Folks -- A turtle will eat when he gets hungry. They can go for a week or two without eating. However, If you don't feed them for 3 or 4 days he will be glad to get some food when you decide to feed them. If he is healthy he will eat; I can assure you on that.