Providing the proper diet is crucial for keeping painted turtles healthy in captivity. In the wild, painted turtles are omnivores that feed on various plant and animal matter. When keeping these turtles as pets, it’s important to recreate their natural diet as closely as possible.
This article will discuss the dietary needs of painted turtles in captivity and provide tips on the best foods to offer them. We’ll cover what types of vegetables, fruits, proteins, and supplements you should include to give your turtle a balanced, nutritious diet.
Proper nutrition helps support a turtle’s growth, metabolism, shell development, and overall health. By understanding the natural feeding behaviors of painted turtles, you can help ensure your pet stays active and thrives. Read on to learn more about perfecting the diet of your painted turtle in captivity.
How Often Do Painted Turtles Eat?
In the wild, painted turtles are opportunistic eaters, meaning they will eat whenever they find food. They don’t follow a strict feeding schedule.
It’s best to develop a routine for feeding your painted turtle in captivity. Hatchlings and juveniles must be fed daily, while adults can be fed every other day.
Here are some general guidelines for feeding frequency based on age:
- Hatchlings (under 1 year): Feed daily. They have high metabolisms and need extra nutrition.
- Juveniles (1-3 years): Feed daily or every other day. Their metabolism is still elevated at this stage.
- Adults (3+ years): Feed every other day. Their metabolism has slowed, so they don’t need to eat as frequently.
Keep in mind that these are just general guidelines. Pay attention to your turtle – if it’s hungry between scheduled feedings, offer more food. A healthy turtle is active and alert with a good appetite.
What To Feed Your Painted Turtle?
Painted turtles are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. In the wild, if given the chance, painted turtles eat insects, small fish, tadpoles, aquatic vegetation, algae, and even small mammals and birds.
When feeding a painted turtle in captivity, it’s important to try and replicate their diverse diet as much as possible.
Here are some suitable dietary options:
Protein Sources
- Crickets
- Mealworms
- Waxworms
- Earthworms
- Frozen or freeze-dried fish (like smelt or shrimp)
- High-quality turtle pellets
Vegetables/Fruits
- Kale
- Collard greens
- Dandelion greens
- Turnip greens
- Mustard greens
- Bok choy
- Broccoli
- Squash
- Bell peppers
- Carrots
- Apples
- Bananas
- Tomatoes
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
Supplements
- Calcium powder
- Vitamin D3
Offer your painted turtle a variety of protein sources 2-3 times per week. Vegetables and fruits can be given daily. Dust food with calcium powder 2 times per week and vitamin D3 once a week. This will provide a balanced diet.
Pet Turtle Diet & Feeding Chart
Here is an expanded pet turtle diet and feeding chart:
Pet Turtle Diet & Feeding Chart
| Life Stage | Frequency | Foods | Portion Size | Supplements |
| Hatchling (under 1 year) | 2-3 small meals per day | Chopped mealworms, crickets, high-quality turtle pellets made into powder, romaine, kale, zucchini | 1-2 bites per feeding | Dust all food with calcium daily; use liquid vitamin D3 1-2 times per week |
| Small Juvenile (1-2 years) | Daily | Mealworms, earthworms, shrimp, chopped fish, turtle pellets, dark leafy greens, chopped red/yellow bell pepper, carrot, apple | As much as a turtle will eat in 10-15 minutes | Dust food with calcium 2-3 times per week; use vitamin D3 once a week |
| Large Juvenile (2-3 years) | Every other day | It has the same foods as small juveniles but with an expanded variety. Can introduce small frozen fish. | As much as a turtle will eat in 15-20 minutes | Dust with calcium 1-2 times per week, vitamin D3 once a week |
| Adult (3+ years) | Every other day | High-quality pellets, a variety of worms, thawed frozen fish/shrimp, greens, veggies, and some fruits | Enough to maintain ideal body weight; adjust as needed | Dust with calcium 1-2 times per week, vitamin D3 once every other week |
Tips:
- Chop food to avoid choking hazard
- Remove uneaten food within 30 minutes
- Observe the turtle’s weight and adjust portions accordingly
- Occasional fasting days are acceptable
- Seek vet advice if appetite decreases or any health concerns arise
Foods That Are Not Recommended for the Painted Turtle
While painted turtles are omnivores, some foods should be avoided or limited in their diet:
- Meat: Can contain too much protein and fat. Keep to a minimum.
- Dry fish: Lacking in nutrients. Offer freeze-dried or frozen fish instead.
- Insects from outside: They may contain parasites or pesticides. Purchase from a pet store instead.
- Iceberg lettuce: Has little nutritional value. Opt for dark, leafy greens.
- Spinach: Contains oxalates that can prevent calcium absorption. Feed in moderation.
- Foods high in oxalates: Rhubarb, beet greens, sweet potato greens.
- Sugary fruit: Bananas, mangos, grapes. Too much sugar is unhealthy.
By avoiding these foods, you can prevent your painted turtle’s nutrition deficiencies and health problems. Check with an exotic vet if you’re unsure about any particular food item.
Diet for a Baby Painted Turtle
Baby-painted turtles have some unique dietary requirements since they are still developing. Here are some tips for feeding a hatchling painted turtle:
- Feed 2-3 small meals per day. They have tiny stomachs, so they can’t eat much at once.
- Offer a high-quality turtle pellet crushed into powder to make it easy to eat. Coat food in calcium powder daily.
- Mealworms and crickets make great protein sources but chop them up.
- Blanch vegetables to soften them. Try chopped romaine, kale, zucchini, etc.
- Use powdered supplements until they are one year old. Liquid supplements can drip off small food items.
- Avoid large food pieces they may choke on.
- Don’t feed dry fish, mammalian meats, or insects from outside.
With frequent feedings of nutrient-rich foods, baby painted turtles will grow healthy! Monitor their growth and adjust their diet as needed.
Diet for Adult Painted Turtle
Adult painted turtles can eat most of the same foods as juveniles, but their feeding frequency and portion sizes may need to be adjusted.
Here are some tips:
- Feed every other day. Overfeeding can cause obesity.
- Portion sizes can increase since they have larger stomachs. But don’t let food go to waste.
- Continue offering veggies, commercial pellets, worms, shrimp, and thawed frozen fish.
- Fruits can be given as treats 2-3 times per week.
- Use powdered supplements 1-2 times weekly.
- Variety is essential to prevent boredom! Rotate food items.
- Adjust diet based on turtle’s weight. Obese turtles may need reduced feeding.
- Limit high-fat protein sources like mammals and dry fish.
Adult turtles may also need occasional fast days to allow their digestive system to rest. An exotic vet can advise you on your adult painted turtle’s ideal diet and feeding schedule based on their health and needs.
Why Won’t My Painted Turtle Eat?
If your painted turtle suddenly stops eating, don’t panic. You can take some steps to determine the reason and get their appetite back to normal. Here are some common reasons a painted turtle may go off food:
Check temperature and light
Painted turtles are cold-blooded, relying on ambient temperatures to regulate their metabolism. Make sure the basking area in the enclosure reaches 85-90°F. The water temperature should be around 75-80°F. Proper lighting with UVB rays is also critical for their health. Fix any issues with the heat lamps or UVB bulbs.
Check if the painted turtle is keeping well.
Look for signs of illness or distress. Turtles can get respiratory infections, shell infections, parasites, or other health issues that will cause loss of appetite. Look for wheezing, discharge, swollen eyes, unusual basking, etc. A vet exam may be required.
Environmental stress
Sudden changes to their enclosure, tank mates, or household environment can cause stress, leading to poor appetite. Make gradual changes and allow time for adjustment.
Tips for Making Your Painted Turtle Eat
If everything checks out with the habitat and the turtle seems healthy, here are some tips to encourage eating:
- Try different food items to stimulate their interest. Novelty can help.
- Make sure food is chopped small enough for them to eat.
- Hold food with feeding tongs near their face so they see and smell it.
- Move food around to trigger prey drive.
- Hand-feed their favorite treats to “jump-start” their appetite.
- Increase water temperature slightly within the safe range.
- Let them bask under the heat lamp for a while before feeding.
You can usually get a painted turtle to eat again with some patience and experimentation. But if appetite loss persists, consult an exotic vet for an evaluation.
List of Fruits and Vegetables: Good or Bad for turtles
Here is a chart listing fruits and vegetables, noting which are good or bad to feed to pet turtles:
List of Fruits and Vegetables: Good or Bad for Turtles
| Food | Good or Bad for Turtles? | Notes |
| Romaine Lettuce | Good | High in nutrients |
| Kale | Good | Calcium-rich, leafy green |
| Collard Greens | Good | Leafy green with vitamin A |
| Dandelion Greens | Good | Source of vitamins and calcium |
| Turnip Greens | Good | Leafy green high in calcium |
| Mustard Greens | Good | Leafy green with vitamin C |
| Bok Choy | Good | Leafy green with calcium |
| Broccoli | Good | Provides nutrients and enrichment |
| Zucchini | Good | It provides moisture and nutrients |
| Bell Peppers | Good | Red/yellow have vitamin A |
| Carrots | Good | Good source of vitamin A |
| Apples | Good | Remove seeds first |
| Bananas | Good in moderation | High in potassium and sugar |
| Tomatoes | Good | Provide nutrients |
| Blueberries | Good in moderation | Antioxidants contain some sugar |
| Strawberries | Good in moderation | Provide vitamin C |
| Rhubarb | Bad | Contains oxalates |
| Spinach | Bad in large amounts | High in oxalates |
| Iceberg Lettuce | Bad | Low nutrient value |
| Beet Greens | Bad | High in oxalates |
| Mangoes | Bad | High sugar content |
| Grapes | Bad | It can cause digestive upset |
This covers some common fruits and veggies, noting which are suitable for turtles and which should be limited or avoided. Consult an exotic vet if unsure about any particular food item. Variety and moderation are key.
Conclusion
Providing proper nutrition is one of the most important aspects of caring for a painted turtle in captivity. Know what foods make up a healthy, balanced diet and establish a feeding routine appropriate for your turtle’s age.
Feed a variety of proteins, leafy greens, veggies, and some fruits while avoiding unhealthy options. Adjust the diet to maintain good health and weight, and consult an exotic vet if appetite or health declines. With the right diet, your painted turtle can thrive for decades under your care!
