What Human Foods Should Turtles Avoid?

The following is a list of some Tortoise Owner foods turtles shouldn’t eat too often. Bread and Bakery Treats/ Wheat Products: While turtles may gobble up bread and pastries, these goodies lack essential nutrients and may upset their stomachs.

Dairy Dilemma: Turtles can’t stomach dairy, so keep cheese and milk out of their diet to prevent tummy troubles.

Sweet Temptations: As much as turtles crave sweets, sugary treats can harm their health and should be off-limits.

Pasta/noodle Pitfalls: Pasta and noodles aren’t on the turtle’s menu for a healthy reason. It offers little nutritional value and can be hard to digest.

Snack Attack: Turtles should avoid chips, biscuits, and popcorn due to their unhealthy additives.

Avoid nuts: Although nuts seem wholesome, they contain oxalates that hinder calcium absorption in turtles, so it’s a no-go.

Egg-cellent or not?
While eggs can be a protein source, turtles should stick to boiled and peeled eggs to avoid potential health hazards.

However, all of the above should be avoided from turtles’ diet, but a small amount won’t hurt them.

Safe & Unsafe Fruits for Turtles
Turtles enjoy a variety of fruits, but some should be consumed in moderation due to their phosphorus content. Avoid citrus fruits as they can irritate turtle stomachs and cause vomiting.

Best fruits for Turtles: Safe fruits include apples, grapes, raspberries, and melons. These provide essential vitamins and minerals for a turtle’s diet.

Phosphorus-Rich Fruits Limit: Fruits like raisins, dates, bananas, and coconuts contain high phosphorus levels. While these can be fed occasionally, moderation is key.

What Fish are Safe and What Should be Avoided?
While turtles naturally eat fish, some species pose risks due to sharp bones. Avoid fish like goldfish, gizzard shad, red minnows, platies, carp, etc which can harm turtle internal organs.

You should watch thiamine levels in fish since too much can block turtles’ absorption of vitamin B1. Moderation is essential to prevent nutrient imbalances.