Can I feed my tortoise vitamins supplements

[gkg2423]

I have a little Indian star. I am not able to keep it outside in sun and had been using full spectrum light for its enclosure, but someone told me that the bulb I am using so far may not be giving UV light and I must replace it with some UV bulb. so I ordered MVB online on amazon, it said it would take around 18 days to reach, till now I waited for it but day before yesterday was supposed to be delivery day but it seems it was not even shipped. I think the seller does import the bulbs from outside and that is the reason it was showing more than half month, whatever, now I feel I won't be getting that bulb and if I place order again with some other seller it may take another 15 days atleast. I searched for MVB here in my city locally and none of the pet shops has that.

Now what I want to ask is until I manage some UV bulb can I use some vitamin D supplements that can help my tort. for past 20-25 days he did not get any UV rays. If someone from India is using UV bulb please let me know where they bought the bulb.

 

[Yvonne G]

Your tortoise should be ok using the supplements until you can get the bulb.

 

[Tom]

I have a little Indian star. I am not able to keep it outside in sun and had been using full spectrum light for its enclosure, but someone told me that the bulb I am using so far may not be giving UV light and I must replace it with some UV bulb. so I ordered MVB online on amazon, it said it would take around 18 days to reach, till now I waited for it but day before yesterday was supposed to be delivery day but it seems it was not even shipped. I think the seller does import the bulbs from outside and that is the reason it was showing more than half month, whatever, now I feel I won't be getting that bulb and if I place order again with some other seller it may take another 15 days atleast. I searched for MVB here in my city locally and none of the pet shops has that.

Now what I want to ask is until I manage some UV bulb can I use some vitamin D supplements that can help my tort. for past 20-25 days he did not get any UV rays. If someone from India is using UV bulb please let me know where they bought the bulb.

Be sure to only use a reptile calcium supplement with "D3" added. Only a tiny pinch two or three times a week.

A florescent HO UV tube will work much better for UV than a MVB. They sell a brand called Arcadia in Europe that works very well. Or we have the ZooMed ones here in the US that are good. Maybe you can find those over there.

 

[gkg2423]

Thankyou @Yvonne G and @Tom

 

[gkg2423]

Fortunately I am able to keep his enclosure in sun for 7-8 hrs a day. winters are approaching here so its not too much hot. He spends most of his time in the shade, I just wonder if he is getting his daily dose of UV rays. And he mostly eats hibiscus leaves and flowers only. Is that a problem?