Feeding and Nutrition :: Cuttle Bone Question ?????

[flutterby]

I would be too afraid that they would cut their mouth on the backing, it can be very sharp and I have cut myself on it when trying to remove it.

[WeirdMeta]

Ya I tired getting the backing off with a butter knife and it worked pretty well. I'm going to keep on the look out for those new Zoo Med turtle bones that don't have the backing on them.

[steve]

I highly recommend that it be removed. It's basically there to prevent it from falling apart when a bird pecks on it. I have heard that it could cut mouths and is indigestible.

[marisa]

WierdMeta, I was in Petco yesterday and saw those Zoo-Med turtle bones. I opened every package on the shelf and all of the pieces had the hard backing on them. I wouldn't count on finding a package with pieces that had the backing removed. I'd just buy the regular cuttlebone (which is what I did) and take off the bone/backing. If you don't, your turtle will most likely cut his mouth on it or, worse, he could mistakenly ingest a tiny sharp piece which could cut him inside or get impacted. At the very least, keeping the bone on will make it extremely hard for him to bite (he's not going to distinguish between the hard and soft parts), and he won't want to eat it at all...

[cprcheetah]

It may take them a little time to realize the cuttlebone is edible. My Zeke is a piggy and will try anything just once, just break it up into smaller pieces and eventually I would think curiousity will get the best of them!

[Muirner]

Remove the backing to the cuttle bone. They wont eat it and it can harm them

[turrbee]

i am wondering why do most of you give them cuttle bones instead of calcium blocks? i thought they both provide calcium???

i bought a calcium block last week and cut them in pieces
they dont float tho.
they sink to the bottom
and i dont see my turtles bothered to eat the pieces.
should i switch to cuttle bones?? =x

[grey goose]

That backing is very brittle...they could choke on it or get impacted.....

[marisa]

Some calcium blocks are made with a form of calcium that can't be utilized as well. For me, cuttlebone is natural, easy to find, and cheaper in the long run.