Quality Dog Food?

[gabby.santana]

Can I give my Box turtle some Wellness brand dog food? I try giving him squash, bananas, strawberries, tomato and berries but he doesn't seem as interested as when I give him worms. He loves his worms and usually only eats those. I was wondering if I can mix dog food that would maybe give him more of a motivation to eat his fruits.

Also is it okay to give him water turtle pellets? If so what's the best kind?

 

[naturalman91]

i don't know much about box turtles but i know they should be fed more protein based diet such as earth worms and such and shouldn't be fed a major diet of fruit

 

[ColleenT]

Now i am confused. i read in the care sheet that too much protein can cause problems with these guys.

 

[gabby.santana]

Well I know that they need both protein and fruits. But there should always be more protein than fruit and veggies

 

[dmmj]

they are omnivores they should have a mix died of protein fruits and vegetables and greens. too much protein becomes a problem when that's all they eat and develop a vitamin A deficiency When feeding dog food you want to go as lean as possible.

 

[ColleenT]

this is from the caresheet posted in the beginning of the Box Turtle section.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/box-turtle-care-sheet.93937/

 

[lisa127]

Now i am confused. i read in the care sheet that too much protein can cause problems with these guys.

For adult boxies a diet of 50% protein is good. The other 50% is a mix of veggies, fruits, and greens. They are not big on the greens though. Try spring mix. In nature they eat a good portion of berries, fungi, etc found on forest floor.

 

[ColleenT]

For adult boxies a diet of 50% protein is good. The other 50% is a mix of veggies, fruits, and greens. They are not big on the greens though. Try spring mix. In nature they eat a good portion of berries, fungi, etc found on forest floor.

thanks. i am going to pick up some mealworms tomorrow while i am out, i can probably put them on top of the greens and hope the Boxies eat the lettuce while the mealworms chomp on the greens.

 

[gabby.santana]

@ColleenT where do you buy your mealworms at?

 

[gabby.santana]

@lisa127 Happy Birthday!

 

[ColleenT]

@ColleenT where do you buy your mealworms at?

i can find them at any pet shop. if i have a reason to, i could buy in bulk. i used to do that b/c i worked with Insectivorous bats. i went thru so many of them. I do gut load mine before i feed them, so they are somewhat healthy.

Here is where i used to buy them. In case you feed a lot. http://www.rainbowmealworms.net/giant-mealworms-in-bulk/

 

[lisa127]

@lisa127 Happy Birthday!

Thank you!

 

[lisa127]

They love nightcrawlers, btw.