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I'm new to the site and a new turtle owner. I've had my 3.5 in RES for about 2 months now and cannot get him to eat his pellets. I've tried soaking them in tuna juice and that didnt work.

He loves his veggie however and will eat worms, but I'm worried he's not getting all of the nutrients he needs. Is it okay that he doesnt eat the pellets or is there another method I could try to get him to eat them? Thanks

What brand are you feeding him? Perhaps try a different brand. Different turtles have different tastes. He'll probably come around.

That's unusual that he won't eat pellets, most turtles will eat only that for a while. Feeding him worms isn't good. They should be reserved as a once a month treat.

For more info on nutrition, here's a link to the main site:
http://www.redearslider.com/index_nutrition.html

If he is healthy you can with hold off on the worms. I'd try a different brand of pellets... can you find any Reptomin or HBH turtle bites.

I've tried both Reptomin and HBH

Will he eat anything besides worms and veggies? What about tuna, boiled chicken, shrimp?

He'll eat tuna and shrimp, but I dont want to feed him too much of those things because they're supposed to be treats. I've tried putting small pieces of tuna on the pellets, but he's smart and picks off the tuna and leaves the pellet.

Have you tried softening the pellets, mixing a bit of tuna with them, letting them harden and then giving them to your turtle (you're actually forming your own pellets)? For the Reptomin, does he attempt to eat it at all? If so, have you broken the pellets up to make them smaller?

What kind of worms are you giving him?

I've tried mashing them up and mixing them with tuna, but I didnt let them harden. I should try that today. As for the Reptomin, he hasnt attempted to eat them. He doesnt try to smell them or anything. And I've been giving him bloodworms, the guy at the pet store told me to try them.

Bloodworms are kind of like candy. Can you get some smaller earthworms and cut one up? See if he'll eat that.

Do you know what he was being fed when you got him?

He probably will eat an earthworm. He'll pretty much eat anything except the pellets. And when I got him, he came with some pellets that didnt look very good. So I'm guessing thats what he was fed, but I'm not sure if he even ate those.

You know, it is possible to create a diet without pellets, but I emphasize create (you'd have to do some research). It's very hard to provide a balanced diet with all the necessary nutrients that doesn't involve pellets. I know a vet who isn't too keen on relying on pellets, but does acknowledge that it makes things more convenient (for the keeper).

Perhaps even trying another brand. I have them, but I'm not that crazy on the HBH pellets. Perhaps he might like the turtle sticks by Hikari. My painteds are fussier than my RES, but they're always ready to eat those.

That happened to me a couple of days ago. My RES would eat some things but the pellets until recently, now he loves them. Just keep on feeding it to him. Patience. (: