Picky eater

[Trudy_the_tortoise]

I try to feed my tortoise plenty of different vegetables, but it ONLY eats lettuce. I tried hiding some other vegetables in Tolis's lettuce, but my tortoise immediately noticed there was something wrong and it spat out the food. Is there anyway I make sure Tolis eats different types of vegetables and not just lettuce?

 

[Tortisedonk7]

I have the same problem with my red foot. It’s a slow process to train them to eat different foods. If your tort likes pellets try mixing little bit of Finley chopped greens with soaked pellets.
It’s taken almost a month for him to eat little variety again.

 

[Trudy_the_tortoise]

I have the same problem with my red foot. It’s a slow process to train them to eat different foods. If your tort likes pellets try mixing little bit of Finley chopped greens with soaked pellets.
It’s taken almost a month for him to eat little variety again.

Today was the first time my Greek tried tomato. It is a very slow process with tortoises that are picky eaters. It only took a few bites of the tomato before refusing to eat any more. My tort has gotten used to just a few types of leafy greens. It loves arugula, lettuce, and broccoli leaves only. I'm sure after a while it will eat all types of vegetables and fruits with no problem.

 

[JoesMum]

Do not add tomato to the diet. Greeks like all Testudo, Sulcatas and Leopards cannot process sugar in their diet. It causes bladder and kidney problems.

Fruit, tomato, bell pepper and carrot should be fed very sparingly and very occasionally... or not at all.

Your tort should be eating weedy and leafy greens. Write a list of things that grow around you and those that you can buy and look them up on The Tortoise Table Plant Database for suitability to feed. If you can’t identify a plant, post a photo in our Plant ID section and someone will help.

The Tortoise Table - Home

The Tortoise Table plant database and resource site for Tortoise owners

thetortoisetable.org.uk

To introduce a new food you have to take it very slowly. Your tort is behaving like a child that only wants to eat chips and chocolate - you're the parent in charge! Here's a step by step guide:

1. Chop the foods your tort will eat very small and wet them

2. Chop a tiny amount of new food very small and mix it with the rest. The water will stick it together so the new stuff cannot be picked out.

3. If your tort eats everything, at the next feed increase the amount of new food very slightly and decrease the liked food by the same amount.

4. If your tort refuses to eat then leave the food in place for 24 hours and then replace with fresh in exactly the same proportions.

Very gradually, over weeks not days, your tort will start accepting the new food as normal. Take it slowly and don't try to hurry it. A hungry tort will give in and eat.

Your tort can go a long time without food, but not water. A thirty minute soak is essential on days when there is a hunger strike.

 

[Trudy_the_tortoise]

Do not add tomato to the diet. Greeks like all Testudo, Sulcatas and Leopards cannot process sugar in their diet. It causes bladder and kidney problems.

Fruit, tomato, bell pepper and carrot should be fed very sparingly and very occasionally... or not at all.

Your tort should be eating weedy and leafy greens. Write a list of things that grow around you and those that you can buy and look them up on The Tortoise Table Plant Database for suitability to feed. If you can’t identify a plant, post a photo in our Plant ID section and someone will help.

The Tortoise Table - Home

The Tortoise Table plant database and resource site for Tortoise owners

thetortoisetable.org.uk

To introduce a new food you have to take it very slowly. Your tort is behaving like a child that only wants to eat chips and chocolate - you're the parent in charge! Here's a step by step guide:

1. Chop the foods your tort will eat very small and wet them

2. Chop a tiny amount of new food very small and mix it with the rest. The water will stick it together so the new stuff cannot be picked out.

3. If your tort eats everything, at the next feed increase the amount of new food very slightly and decrease the liked food by the same amount.

4. If your tort refuses to eat then leave the food in place for 24 hours and then replace with fresh in exactly the same proportions.

Very gradually, over weeks not days, your tort will start accepting the new food as normal. Take it slowly and don't try to hurry it. A hungry tort will give in and eat.

Your tort can go a long time without food, but not water. A thirty minute soak is essential on days when there is a hunger strike.

Thank you for the suggestion! I won't add tomato to the diet and I fed it only a very small piece, not a whole tomato. There are plenty of leafy greens and other plants in supermarkets near me. I added a list of vegetables to feed it, I will follow all the tips you suggested. I do soak my tortoise daily 2 times a day because it often refuses to drink and I want to keep it hydrated.

 

[JoesMum]

Thank you for the suggestion! I won't add tomato to the diet and I fed it only a very small piece, not a whole tomato. There are plenty of leafy greens and other plants in supermarkets near me. I added a list of vegetables to feed it, I will follow all the tips you suggested. I do soak my tortoise daily 2 times a day because it often refuses to drink and I want to keep it hydrated.

Soaking is especially important in your climate.

@Gillian M is in Jordan and has a Greek too. She has to do the same

 

[Trudy_the_tortoise]

Soaking is especially important in your climate.

@Gillian M is in Jordan and has a Greek too. She has to do the same

Yes it's REALLY hot in the Middle East, and it's really hot in summer in Kuwait. Right now it's Winter but it is still hot out, so yes I do soak my tortoise regularly. It's really important to keep yourself and your pets (except for fish because they don't drink water) hydrated during really hot weather.