Feeding and Nutrition :: Overfeeding? How Much Is Too Much?

[Turtle Mummy 101]

Charlotte is ALWAYS begging for food. Sometimes I give in and give her some extra pellets or lettuce. She hardly ever gets any "treat foods" though.
Every morning, she gets a head sized amount of pellets (4) and a large piece of lettuce - she always has cuttlebone and water lettuce in her tank. I don't want to start overfeeding her but how often should I give in to the begging and give her some extra food. It's so cute when she eats from my hand - I can't resist...

[n00bEmpty]

Well, my turtles are now on a diet of 2 (Reptomin) pellets per day as well as water. Sometimes I give them a red leaf lettuce that my turtles absolutely love, not as much as romaine though. I would say to stop giving in, put in some fishes for her to chase so she'll stop begging for a bit. My turtles love chasing my survivor goldfish (he just refuses to die) and minnows. Just make sure they have some substrate and lots of plants for them to hide in. They're about 2-2.5 inches and nearly a year old, going to try to transition them to veggies. My sliders are starting to try them while my maps tear them up like no tomorrow, it's going to be easy for them, don't know about my sliders though.

[TheComputerGremlin]

I have actually never given into begging. I don't find the begging behavior cute, so I just ignore it. My turtle hardly ever begs now, except first thing in the morning when she knows she's getting fed.

If you are worried about overfeeding, put the number of pellets allowed per day in a pillbox container and only give as many as are in that day's container. So if you are giving 4 pellets per day, give two in the morning, and the other two later on. There is nothing that says you can't feed several times a day, just not full portions.

[Turtle Mummy 101]

Thanks guys! I try not to give in to begging but it's just so cute when she takes food from my hand

TheComputerGremlin: Thanks for your advice! I will do what you have suggested - it will definitely help to "train" me to not give in to the begging.