We now come to the most important part of turtle care it can literally be a matter of life and death for our amphibious friends. Carry out regular water changes every week, removing approximately a third of the tank’s volume. Replace this with fresh water at the same temperature at that in the tank, and treat it with a water conditioner first. Always wear suitable gloves when carrying out this task, and tip dirty water directly down an outside drain, and never down the sink, because of the risk of harmful bacteria being present in the water. It is also essential to keep equipment used for your turtle separate from other household items, and always wash your hands thoroughly afterwards, with a germicidal soap as a further precaution.
Provided that they are kept in a clean environment, and receive a good diet, then turtles are very healthy by nature. The issues that used to afflict them in the past, such as swollen eyes or distorted shells, were typically related to an inadequate diet, notably deficiencies of vitamins A and D3 plus calcium. Beware if your pet’s appetite starts to fall away over the course of a week or two though, as this can be a non-specific indicator of an underlying health issue. In the first place, however, check the heater is still working properly, and that the water temperature has not fallen, as this will depress the turtle’s metabolism and activity. A digital thermometer attached to the side of the tank will make this task easy. If for any reason there appears to be a problem with you're turtle then please don't hesitate to take them to a turtle doctor (Vet).
What do you do when your pet turtle becomes sick or injured? Sometimes the cause may be simple and easy to fix. Other times you may need to take your turtle in to see a veterinarian.
try this troubleshooting steps.
Is the temperature of the tank warm enough?
If turtles get too cold, they don’t eat as much and start thinking about their long winters nap.
Does your turtle like the food you are offering?
Some turtles, like humans, are very picky eaters. They have their favorites and their not so favorites. Start off with their favorite foods first, then slowly introduce other menu items.
Is your turtle under any stress? Are they being handled too much, traveling lately, or do they have new tank mates?
Many new animals often experience this stress and it may cause them to not eat properly. Just keep trying and have lots of patience. They may take several weeks before they eat again.
Your turtle not eating may also be a sign of something more serious, see a vet if regular eating doesn't resume.
MOST common causes for not eating.
Do not leave food in the enclosure to rot!
Turtle General operates as an informational site which operates purely upon the funds generated from affiliate links as well as other ads. Look, I’m a turtle fan I have several and as a conservationist I rescue turtles from the road as well as irresponsible owners who seek to rid themselves of the not so cute anymore turtles.