Feeding and Nutrition :: Proportions when Feeding

[GPRenegade]

I have a turtle that I'm guessing is about 6-7 months now and while browsing I read on this site that the recomended serving size is approximately the size of the turtle's head... To me this would feel like starving my turtle! I feed my turtle as much as it can eat in a few minutes as recomended by the feeding instructions on the bottle, (usually many times the size of his head.) After consuming this amout he usually still begs and searches for more... Am I overfeeding my turtle?

[flutterby]

Recommendations by companies and pet stores are generally to make more money, not based on the health of your pet. If you have a hatchling you should feed your turtle the amount that would fit in his head if it was hollow, everyday. I believe after a year you should change it to every other day. But offer greens and veggies as well. (see the sticky in the feeding forum for a list of veggies)

[Andrew7769]

turtles are opportunistic feeders, in the wild they don't know when their next meal will be so they pig out when food is available, hence the appetite, you will not e starving your turtle with the hollow head rule. Keep in mind this is for pellets only the key is to provide a balanced and healthy diet, read the stickies at the top of the page. Has the turtle had any shell problems like pyrimiding or curling? if your not sure you can post a pic.

[GPRenegade]

What negative effects should I be looking for as a sign of overfeeding?

[GPRenegade]

From other pictures I've seen on this site I'm inclined to think he might have a few shell problems... it is no longer smooth and coloful like it was when he was younger, but seems to be slightly over stretched... almost like it is growing too fast? I have already scheduled him to see the vet in two days, but what complications could i expect if any?

[flutterby]

Overfeeding can lead to fast growth.

Extremely fast growth has other health consequences and puts a strain on internal organs, especially the kidneys. Improving the diet is the first step you need to take...

And you can read this as well.

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4277

[GPRenegade]

Whats the easiest way to post a picture of him?

[GPRenegade]

http://img92.imageshack.us/my.php?image ... ll2fk5.jpg

[megcornell]

I'm not an expert on pyramiding, but it may look like he's growing a bit too fast for his shell to keep up, now that you know the right way to feed I don't think you'll have any extreme long term effects, the shell may not be perfect but it's great that you're realizing the bottle directions are wrong early on and are doing something about it .
As for his color, all RES's tend to get darker as they grow, so that's perfectly fine. I was sad when my turtle's bright green started to fade as well...

[grey goose]

The pic dosent look too bad, but you are definitely feeding him too many pellets. When I first get a baby, I'll deliberatly feed him all he can eat, but only to reinforce in him the knowledge that I'm the provider. Once he realizes I'm the center of his universe, it's fresh veggies and cuttlebone everyday, pellets, limited to the size of his head, every other day. Fruit, feeders, krill etc. should only be a treat (or a bribe).....Don't let the begging get to you! If you give in when he begs, the little stinker will only beg more. And as you probably already know, when it comes to begging, they can be real drama queens.....

[GPRenegade]

Thank you!