Gwen26
New Member
What do people think of this new fad of a tortoise treat ball?? I think its strange and wondering if anyone uses one.
What would help more then a dogs toy is either a yard to graze in or hiding the food around the enclosure and making them roam for it. Planted/growing plants or grass in the enclosure too. All much more natural.I am not aware of the fad you are referring to, but I personally think it’s a great idea for enrichment. I’ve been making a “treat ball” of sorts every now and then for my tortoise for over 3 years. It creates interest and makes them work a little for their food, vs just putting it in their dish. I do this maybe a couple times per month. No harm can come from it. I say give them the best of both worlds.…proper care and enrichment. Here’s one of the first ones I made a few years ago.
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Those are all great suggestions too! 🙂 I am all about trying to provide enrichment for my tortoise in a variety of ways. My tortoise does get to graze outside occasionally and I’ve got a lot of plants in his enclosure. He loves nibbling on and sitting under the plants. All of these things, including the occasional food ball are beneficial in my books. It doesn‘t matter that the “ball“ I use is made for a dog. Unfortunately nobody makes enrichment things for tortoises, so it’s up to the owner to use their imagination and get creative.What would help more then a dogs toy is either a yard to graze in or hiding the food around the enclosure and making them roam for it. Planted/growing plants or grass in the enclosure too. All much more natural.
That's where the proper care etc comes in. There aren't toys because that's not the kind of pet they are.Those are all great suggestions too! 🙂 I am all about trying to provide enrichment for my tortoise in a variety of ways. My tortoise does get to graze outside occasionally and I’ve got a lot of plants in his enclosure. He loves nibbling on and sitting under the plants. All of these things, including the occasional food ball are beneficial in my books. It doesn‘t matter that the “ball“ I use is made for a dog. Unfortunately nobody makes enrichment things for tortoises, so it’s up to the owner to use their imagination and get creative.
I just don't think they need toys as much as they need proper space and enclosures, diet etc which should be first and foremost. Not meaning you aren't already giving that.Can I ask where your resentment of a dog ball comes from? Do you feel I am harming my tortoise? Do you feel tortoises don’t benefit from enrichment? I am not using it as a toy and have not mentioned tortoise toys in this thread. I’m using it as an enrichment opportunity, to create interest and provide another grazing opportunity a couple times a month. This certainly does not mean that I don’t give my tortoise proper care. I don’t understand why something so harmless is such an issue for you. This place is exhausting. 😔
Agree that enrichment opportunities are great to provide in addition to proper care. That’s why the professional zoologists do it at zoos. I haven’t done the food ball, but did get a tiny dog toy for rolling around…as mine loves to “bulldoze” things. It’s from the KONG brand it’s made to be tough enough to not have pieces break off if he bites it. He enjoys rolling it around the small hills to different areas in his enclosure, as well as the humidity reader.Those are all great suggestions too! 🙂 I am all about trying to provide enrichment for my tortoise in a variety of ways. My tortoise does get to graze outside occasionally and I’ve got a lot of plants in his enclosure. He loves nibbling on and sitting under the plants. All of these things, including the occasional food ball are beneficial in my books. It doesn‘t matter that the “ball“ I use is made for a dog. Unfortunately nobody makes enrichment things for tortoises, so it’s up to the owner to use their imagination and get creative.
That’s great! Now that my Hermann’s tortoise is bigger, I use the Kong brand too. I inspect it before and after each use and there has never been even a puncture in it. Great quality!Agree that enrichment opportunities are great to provide in addition to proper care. That’s why the professional zoologists do it at zoos. I haven’t done the food ball, but did get a tiny dog toy for rolling around…as mine loves to “bulldoze” things. It’s from the KONG brand it’s made to be tough enough to not have pieces break off if he bites it. He enjoys rolling it around the small hills to different areas in his enclosure, as well as the humidity reader.
Seriously!Can I ask where your resentment of a dog ball comes from? Do you feel I am harming my tortoise? Do you feel tortoises don’t benefit from enrichment? I am not using it as a toy and have not mentioned tortoise toys in this thread. I’m using it as an enrichment opportunity, to create interest and provide another grazing opportunity a couple times a month. This certainly does not mean that I don’t give my tortoise proper care. I don’t understand why something so harmless is such an issue for you. This place is exhausting. 😔
The joy is all yours.I think enrichment for any animal in an enclosure is extremely important. I have found that an empty toilet pater roll seems to bring Tortellini and Josephine joy. They scoot it around, role it, and sit it straight up.
There you go killing Joy again Tammy!The joy is all yours.
Seriously!
I thought the treat ball looked like something to try. Now I’m afraid I’ll ruin my tortoise’s existence :/
I've tried a variety of enrichment activities for my torts, as they live inside for lots of the year.What do people think of this new fad of a tortoise treat ball?? I think its strange and wondering if anyone uses one.
Do you have a pair living together? If so, you need to separate them.I think enrichment for any animal in an enclosure is extremely important. I have found that an empty toilet pater roll seems to bring Tortellini and Josephine joy. They scoot it around, role it, and sit it straight up.