Russian horsefield not eating.

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JessLouisee

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hey guys im jess, have a russian male 4 year old tortoise called nitro :) iv had my russian horsefield (nitro) about 5 months now.. he used to be into his food in a big way couldn't ever get enough off it. but now all he will eat is cucumber.. iv tryed not giving him any cucumber and just apples, cress for example for a bout a week now and hes just not eating it :/ hes fine in himself, running round like a nutter loving life.. just wont eat. any ideas on how to make him eat again without just giving him cucumber lol. :)
 

Yvonne G

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Hi Jess, and welcome to the forum!

Well, nothing you've named is good for a Russian tortoise to eat. Take a look at this care sheet. There are plenty of different, and good-for-the-tortoise foods on it for you to choose from:

http://russiantortoise.net/care_sheet.htm

Something for you to think about:

If the tortoise is in a habitat, and not outside grazing on whatever he can find, then he's stuck with what you feed him. If you don't give him cucumber, apples, etc. then he can't eat them. Only offer him the foods on the list shown in that link. If he doesn't eat, too bad for him. He will hold out for a while because he knows that if he holds out you will cave in. Just keep offering the good, healthy foods and he will eventually eat them.
 

WillTort2

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Try dandelions; the flower and the leaves and stem.

Avoid fruit for your Russian; too much sugar.

Also tempt him with Romaine Lettuce or Radicchio.

Healthy choices and some of their favorites.

Good luck.
 

JoesMum

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You have to treat your tort like a Mom will treat a child that only wants to eat candy... you have to be a tough Mom. It feels awful, but a healthy tort can go weeks without food, but not without water.

So the action plan is:
1. Soak your tort every day while he's not eating... do it first thing in the morning before he has warmed up properly
2. Straight after soaking, feed with stuff that's good for him
3. Walk away and leave him to it; no fuss, no attention
4. Don't feed any treats... especially cucumber
5. Be strong and don't give in... if you do then you will have to start again.

Your tort will most likely hold out for a few days, but he will get hungry and will give in. Don't reintroduce cucumber or treats for a few weeks at least and then make it a occasional event
 

JessLouisee

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Yvonne G said:
Hi Jess, and welcome to the forum!

Well, nothing you've named is good for a Russian tortoise to eat. Take a look at this care sheet. There are plenty of different, and good-for-the-tortoise foods on it for you to choose from:

http://russiantortoise.net/care_sheet.htm

Something for you to think about:

If the tortoise is in a habitat, and not outside grazing on whatever he can find, then he's stuck with what you feed him. If you don't give him cucumber, apples, etc. then he can't eat them. Only offer him the foods on the list shown in that link. If he doesn't eat, too bad for him. He will hold out for a while because he knows that if he holds out you will cave in. Just keep offering the good, healthy foods and he will eventually eat them.

oh ok, was told by a reptile shop that thats what their meant to eat.. ill give it a try thankyou :)
 

kanalomele

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Its very common to be given poor information by a shop. Dont feel to badly about it. Now that you have access to much better information, just move forward. Your tortoise will also. A healthy russian will eat, but its also common for them to get into a snit and protest being given something good for them. When what they really want is bad for them. Broad leaf weeds, grasses, succulents and flowers with some spring mix thrown in for variety is all good for them.
 

JessLouisee

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thankyou guys ill give it a try and not give up lol :)

Sent from my GT-S5830i using TortForum mobile app
 

Spn785

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JessLouisee said:
Yvonne G said:
Hi Jess, and welcome to the forum!

Well, nothing you've named is good for a Russian tortoise to eat. Take a look at this care sheet. There are plenty of different, and good-for-the-tortoise foods on it for you to choose from:

http://russiantortoise.net/care_sheet.htm

Something for you to think about:

If the tortoise is in a habitat, and not outside grazing on whatever he can find, then he's stuck with what you feed him. If you don't give him cucumber, apples, etc. then he can't eat them. Only offer him the foods on the list shown in that link. If he doesn't eat, too bad for him. He will hold out for a while because he knows that if he holds out you will cave in. Just keep offering the good, healthy foods and he will eventually eat them.

oh ok, was told by a reptile shop that thats what their meant to eat.. ill give it a try thankyou :)

I definitely agree with Yvonne, your tortoise might hold out for days, even a week or two is not unheard of, eventually your tortoise will give in. As for pet store information, what else did they tell you? How are you keeping him (substrate, heat and light, humidity, temps, etc)?
 
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