How Often Should You Feed a Turtle?
📝 Summary
Turtles tolerate long fasting, so feed only as needed: daily to every other day in summer, twice a day for hatchlings, less as it cools, and nothing in hibernation. Vary the diet and build fat before winter.
1 Turtle Feeding Frequency
A turtle’s metabolism follows the temperature, so feeding frequency depends on weather and health. Generally turtles need little feeding. Here is the method.
Feeding frequency
In hot summer, with fast metabolism, feed every 1 to 2 days; if busy, every few days is fine. Frequency also depends on species and size, and hatchlings need two small meals daily but avoid overfeeding. Turtles tolerate 1 to 2 weeks without food with water. As autumn cools, appetite and amount drop, so space feedings out. Hibernating turtles stop eating.
Cautions
Turtles are omnivorous, so vary food by type and size. Main foods are pellets, animal feed, and vegetables; do not feed one thing long-term or the turtle gets picky or malnourished, so use quality pellets and mix animal and plant foods such as earthworms, mealworms, small fish, shrimp, insects, beef, soybean, corn, wheat, watermelon, apple, banana, and carrot in moderation. Before hibernation, add high-fat foods for energy; after waking, feed light food in small amounts often. Provide a clean pool sized to the turtle for water and swimming. Add vitamins and calcium through fortified foods or supplements.
Want to learn more about pet health?
Explore our pet health channel for more science-based care guides
Read More Articles →