Feeding and Nutrition :: Can you overfeed a turtle?

[Vfrey77]

Hi everyone! I'm happy to say that Bella is doing great! She's basking regularly and eating like a hog. Which is my question...do turtles naturally stop themselves from over-eating like some animals, or do you have to portion their food? Bella has gotten as friendly as a dog when she knows food is coming, and she'll eat and eat and eat. I know that adult turtles should only be fed every other day, but she wants to eat two and three times a day. Should I cut back, or give her what she wants?

[industrial_girl_2000]

Nope, if a turtle has his/her choice, they would keep eating till they literally throw up. A turtle will beg for food, even if they are full.

Limit the food. Turtles can get obese and when they do, it can cause death (shell can only stretch so much to accomodate all that fat). If she is still hungry, feed her romaine lettuce or pond plants. That has no calories and can't make her fat. And yes, adult turtles should only get pellets every other day. My big Sheba gets lettuce daily though.

[Vfrey77]

Whew, thanks! Glad I asked. I will do that.

[kc]

if you are feeding pellets, then the daily amount of food should be about the size of their head, maybe a LITTLE more.
they can still go hungry when we feed them what we considered to be enough. for me it's a good thing cause my turlte will eat her own poop afterwards. helps me keep the tank clean