Can Red-Eared Slider Turtles Eat Fruit: Do’s and Don’ts in Feeding Your Pet

Yes, red-eared slider turtles enjoy eating fruit! They are known to consume various fruits, including berries and apples. Although red-eared slider turtles are omnivores, they tend to eat more fruits than other types of food. Be sure to gradually introduce these turtles to new fruit gems, so they don’t get overwhelmed. Some favorites include apples, strawberries, and grapes.

Fruits Your Red-Eared Slider Turtle Can Eat

You can feed slider turtles a variety of fruit, but sliders, in particular, may start to prefer more complex or juicier fruit as they age. This means that sliders may start to eat bananas or sweet potatoes instead of softer varieties like bananas or sweet potatoes. Be sure to feed sliders fresh fruit rather than stored food or sugary treats. Sliders are omnivorous and can eat a variety of fruits, including citrus. If you have a slider that loves to eat fruit, ensure it has access to plenty at all times!

Allowed Foods for Your Red-Eared Slider Turtle

While sliders can eat various fruits, they are primarily omnivorous feeders that consume vegetation, insects, worms, and small creatures. 

• Be sure to provide them with fresh vegetation every day to ensure they get the most out of their diet. 

• Be sure to select fresh vegetables – if they start to sprout or have a bad smell, they’re not likely safe for your sliders.

• Be sure to choose ones that are low in acid and sugar content.

• Sliders can also consume carrots, apples, and peas, making them a versatile reptiles for those looking for an easy-to-feed pet.

• Lastly, sliders are known to be good at digesting calcium, so adding calcium-rich vegetables like kale, broccoli, and spinach to their diet is a good idea.

Carrots

Though many people give their turtles carrots as a food item, this is not always safe for them to consume. Therefore, before giving your turtle any new food items, it is always best to consult with a vet and ensure that the vegetable doesn’t have harmful ingredients or contains too much sugar. Some other vegetable sliders can eat include apples, tomatoes, and green beans.

Lettuce

Lettuce might be an excellent option if you’re looking for a low-calorie vegetable to give your red-eared slider turtle. Lettuce is high in water content and provides plenty of hydration for the reptile. Additionally, due to its low-calorie count, lettuce is a nutritious food that can help regulate the turtle’s diet. Be sure to provide fresh vegetables as well – carrots, squash, and peas are all excellent options for your sliders!

Green beans

Try slider turtles if you’re looking for a reptile that can eat some vegetables. These creatures are omnivores and will consume anything edible, including green beans, which are a good choice because they have high water content and are low in calories. These reptiles usually digest vegetables reasonably well, so give them a try as an alternative to pet food pellets or regular feeder fish!

Bell pepper

Bell peppers are a popular vegetable that you can eat raw, cooked, or sometimes even grilled. They have many health benefits and make an excellent addition to any diet. When feeding bell peppers, include plenty of fruits and vegetables in their diet, as this will keep them healthy and happy! Other vegetable sliders may eat include cucumbers, watermelon, and grapes.

Foods NOT Allowed for Your Red-Eared Slider Turtle

Chard

Chard is a leafy green vegetable that can be harmful to red-eared sliders. Sliders should not eat other vegetables, including spinach, beans, and peas. Raw or undercooked vegetables can also contain bacteria that could harm the slider’s health.

Spinach

Spinach is a good vegetable for sliders, as it contains high vitamin A and calcium levels. However, red-eared sliders shouldn’t eat it because it can cause intestinal blockages. Therefore, when purchasing food for your slider turtles, read the label carefully to ensure that there are no ingredients that might not be safe for them to consume. 

Cabbage

Although red-eared sliders are known for being able to digest some plants (like lettuce), cabbage is not one of them and should therefore be avoided altogether.

Avocado

Feeding red-eared slider turtles avocados are not advisable because of the turtle’s high-fat content. Other safe vegetables for sliders include broccoli, carrots, and zucchini – all of which have low-fat levels. Be sure to feed your slider a balanced diet that includes meat and veggies!

Rhubarb

If you have a slider turtle as a pet, feed them small pieces of fruit that are safe for their tiny mouths. Rhubarb is not one of these items and should be avoided if you own a red-eared slider turtle. Other vegetables that slider turtles shouldn’t eat include grapes, apples, avocados, pears, and tomatoes – all food items the slider turtles might mistake for prey!

Feeding Time for Your Red-Eared Slider Turtle

If you have a red-eared slider turtle, feed them three times per week – morning, afternoon, and evening – for best results. Rather than leaving food out for them to hunt or scavenge, feed them onsite. This way, you can ensure they are getting the best nutrition. Be sure to provide a varied diet that includes leafy greens, fruits, vegetables, insects, small rodents, and meaty items like worms or crickets.

Feeding Baby Red-Eared Slider Turtle

When feeding a baby red-eared slider turtle, make sure not to feed them bones as this could injure red-eared turtle’s teeth and gills, and start feeding them small pieces of fruits and vegetables that are soft, chopped up, or pureed when they’re young. As they grow older, the amount of animal protein you feed them gradually increases, such as worms, insects, or small reptiles.

Feeding Adult Red-Eared Slider Turtle

Adult red-eared slider turtles need a diet that includes prey items, such as insects and other small creatures. You should feed them twice daily – morning and evening – to get the best results.

Proper Diet for Red-Eared Slider Turtle

The red-eared slider turtles’ diet should include various fruits and vegetables. To ensure their health and longevity, regularly monitoring their weight and fecal coliform levels is essential. You can also feed them a balanced diet with fresh and frozen fruit. Be sure to vary their feed daily to ensure they get the nutrients they need. Here are a few tips to remember:

• Make sure to feed them regularly and offer a variety of foods, including fresh vegetables, hay, and small insects. 

• Be sure not to overfeed them, as this will lead to obesity and health problems. 

• Keep their water clean and complete, as sliders can dehydrate quickly. 

• Finally, be sure to offer them fruit that is either low in sugar or not at all – red-eared slider turtles don’t enjoy sweet or tart fruit.