Supplements

[Torts]

I am curious to find out what others use for vitamin supplements? For my Russians I use Minerall and TNT. Is this good for RF as well? Also, I read that you should feed your RF protein (occasionally). What is the recommended protein food for RF? I always find contradicting information on the web.

 

[Candy]

For our Cherryhead we use NOW (that's the brand name) Calcium Carbonate. We sprinkle a little on Dales fruit once a week. As for protein we give him elk meat he loves it. I've also heard where you can give them eggs or Pro Plan weight management cat food (soaked in a little water first) it has protein in it. Dale just won't eat it he prefers meat.

 

[blackcat38]

I use limestone flour, I put in on their fruit and protein.
For protein I use egg with shell, prawns, chicked, salmon, butter worms

Candy- When you feed Dale his elk meat how much do you give him? Do you feed meat by itself for the day? I never know how much to feed mine and guess, like 3 prawns for horatio and colossus and 2 prawns for george because he a little smaller. If I put the whole pack there they would eat it all!they love there prawns so I can't wait till they ave had their like I can with weeds

 

[Candy]

I use limestone flour, I put in on their fruit and protein.
For protein I use egg with shell, prawns, chicked, salmon, butter worms

Candy- When you feed Dale his elk meat how much do you give him? Do you feed meat by itself for the day? I never know how much to feed mine and guess, like 3 prawns for horatio and colossus and 2 prawns for george because he a little smaller. If I put the whole pack there they would eat it all!they love there prawns so I can't wait till they ave had their like I can with weeds

I have it measured out in little freezer bags. I only give him maybe a tablespoon if that. After he eats that I might give him a strawberry or a couple of dandelion leaves. He's only 6 inches long. I give it to him raw is that how you give yours their chicken?

 

[blackcat38]

I give it boiled, only because i read it some where but i'll have to try giving it raw.

Do you think I should be giving them more then? My biggest is 12cm and when I give protein I only give about a teaspoon because I'm scared I'll over do it on the protein and they'll get bumpy shells. But if you give a table spoon (you do mean the massive spoon and not the dessert spoon?) and dales shell looks lovely, maybe I should give more and When I feed protein thats all I give them that day, what do you think?

Rachel x

 

[tortoisenerd]

www.redfoots.com has a diet plan that many here (and on their forum) have great success with. They should have a recommendation on amount of protein. The NOW calcium is a human pure calcium supplement you can find at health food stores (more regulations on human supplements, and also lower cost), or of course you can get the reptile stuff. What's in the Minerall? You need pure calcium, and possibly D3 depending on the setup. I am not familiar with that.

 

[Madkins007]

VITAMINS: Be a bit careful on vitamins, even for humans. While there is little risk with the 'water-soluble vitamins' like B, the 'fat soluble vitamins' like A and D can build up in the tissues. Aim for a diet and supplements that offer a balance of about 100 parts A to 10 parts D to 1 part E (100:10:1).

A study done showed that many pet vitamins were not really what was claimed, even some of the name brands. Other keepers have suggested that crushed human multi-vitamins and mineral tablets is a good option. This makes sense- better regulations and standards, usually better prices, etc. Check the labels for the ADE ratios.

Also be aware that all vitamins have a fairly short shelf life- keep them fresh.

I crush a half a human tablet once a week and share it with my 5 torts for insurance. Remember, in this area, more IS NOT better.

CALCIUM: It is apparently difficult to overdose with calcium- excess is excreted in the urine, and most common foods are a bit low in it. Vets and other experts have suggested that a small sprinkle of calcium carbonate on the food every day or two to help keep a 2:1 ratio of calcium to phosphorous.

Limestone flour IS calcium carbonate, but I would not use any limestone flour that was not food-safe. I have no knowledge of this, but I would worry that non-food grade stuff would have other things in it.

PROTEIN: There is no scientifically established 'meat' level for Red-foots, and I have found no evidence that they NEED meat protein, but they certainly love it and it does not hurt them in reasonable amounts.

How much? Statements like '1/2 size meal weekly' or 'a monthly meal', etc. are best guesses, although they work just fine. I find that serving a meal that is mostly meat every week or two is convenient, while trying to add meat more often, or adding it as a part of a normal meal makes it really easy to serve too much.

What to serve? Some basic guidelines would be to avoid too much fat or oil, any chemicals, and salts. Some things to think about would include that meat with small, easily digested bones is helpful, and the closer it was to being a living animal, the better in general.

I recommend rehydrated low-fat cat kibble, but I also use, in rough order of MY preference for using it, well-thawed/warmed pinkie mice, big fat worms, Superworms or other 'non-mealworm' live options, cooked chicken strips, 'oily fish' packed in water (sardines, anchovies, mackeral, salmon) [Note- use these sparingly, they stink!], cooked eggs, good brand cat food in small cans (rarely), etc.

Before I get flamed for some of these- I know about pulpy kidney and other concerns with too much cheap meats (like canned cat food), but I use such meats rarely for variety and convenience. With the digestive system Red-foots have, I have a hard time believing that animals that eat carrion in the wild will be bothered much by a little cat food a few times a year.

 

[silentZen]

I anticipate that the abstraction done showed that abounding pet vitamins were not absolutely what was claimed, even some of the name brands. Other keepers accept appropriate that ashamed animal multi-vitamins and mineral tablets is a acceptable option.



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