Feeding and Nutrition :: Advice on Feeding My Red-Eared Slider While I’m on Vacation

[k9ck024]

Hi everyone,

I’m going on vacation for two weeks and need some advice on how to care for my red-eared sliders while I’m away. I have two adult turtles and one baby, and unfortunately, I don’t have anyone available to look after them during that time.

I’m considering using the Zoo Med Banquet Block Aquatic Turtle Food. Will two blocks be enough to feed the adult turtles for the full two weeks? Are there any other long-lasting food options that won’t spoil and can safely sustain them while I’m gone?

Additionally, I’d really appreciate any other tips or recommendations for making sure my turtles stay healthy in my absence.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[steve]

2 weeks is a very long time to not be able to check. While yearlings and adults would be OK without eating for that long, I would not risk it with a hatchling. It's possible they can be aggressive, and can severely hurt each other if either are kept together. A single turtle might be OK with an automatic feeder, but water levels and cleanliness need to have someone on top of it. And RES are opportunistic eaters, they will eat as much as they can, when they can. A block-system is not a generally good idea.

[k9ck024]

Thanks for your advice, Steve! I have one 2-year-old (maybe not a baby turtle) and two adult turtles. Each has their own place to live. When you said that they would be ok without eating for that long, do you think 2 weeks without food is ok? Is there a particular reason why block is not a good idea?

[steve]

It's just a very long time. If they each have their own tank, those tanks are probably on the small-ish side and will face a lot water evaporation over 2 weeks. They do have automatic food dispensers, but in general it would be better to have someone check in, especially if there is a potential emergency. As for the blocks, the turtles might eat them too quickly but those kinds of feeding systems are not the healthiest either.