Can box turtles eat strawberries? The answer to this question can change depending on the type of turtle and its needs. Box turtles can eat strawberries, but it is not always a good idea.
In this article, we will discuss the benefits and harmful effects of eating strawberries for box turtles.
We also learn the 5 main reasons why strawberries are loved by turtles!
In case you are in a hurry and don’t have enough time to read the complete article. We have an on-point answer for you.
Yes, box turtles can eat strawberries. Strawberries are another favourite of box turtles and, like watermelon, they make an excellent food source for your pet during the warmer months of the year. Just remember that while berries are low in calories, they contain a lot of natural sugar. So you need to be careful that your pet isn’t eating too many of them, or else they could get sick.
Strawberries are one of the best fruits for your pet. They are high in vitamins and minerals and are also a good source of fibre.
Feed your pet fresh or frozen strawberries. Do not give them canned ones as they can contain too much acid.
If you are buying your strawberries in a store, look for those that are bright red with a firm texture and no blemishes.
When choosing between frozen and fresh strawberries, go with the former if possible. They have been freeze-dried and thus retain most of their vitamin content.
Make sure that your pet has access to water while eating strawberries. This is especially important if your pet is old or ill.
Later in the article, you will know the benefits and harmful effects of eating strawberries for box turtles. Read on!
Can Baby Box Turtles Eat Strawberries?
Strawberries make a great treat for your baby box turtle. But be careful when you feed them!
A few weeks before your baby box turtle hatches, you will notice the first signs of shell development.
This is when you will want to start giving them fruits that are softer than apples.
Strawberries are an excellent choice for feeding a baby box turtle because they are sweet and juicy while also being low in calories.
But remember that these should be cut into small pieces before giving them to your baby box turtle so they can eat them easily.
Benefits Of Eating Strawberries For Box Turtles
Strawberries are another great fruit that can be fed to your pet box turtle. Some of the benefits of feeding your box turtle strawberries include:
Helps with digestion.
Improves colouration in box turtles.
Contains lots of Vitamins and minerals including potassium, copper, iron, and zinc.
Helps prevent anaemia.
Helps with proper tooth development.
Helps with wound healing.
Helps prevent urinary tract infections by killing the bacteria that cause them.
Can help to prevent UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections) in female turtles by increasing their water intake.
Helps prevent scurvy in older box turtles by providing them with Vitamin C.
Helps keep your pet healthy and disease-free!
Harmful Effects Of Eating Strawberries For Box Turtles
Although berries are generally a healthy fruit to add to the diet of your pet box turtle, they can sometimes have harmful effects.
Strawberries can cause diarrhoea and other stomach problems if fed to your box turtle, as they can irritate if eaten in large amounts.
Your turtle may develop “raspberry jaundice” if fed too many strawberries.
Side effects of eating too many strawberries can include:
Liver disease
Anaemia
Kidney issues
Kidney stones
A low appetite
Deformed babies (“dwarf”)
Skin disease
Sudden death
Strawberry toxicity is one of the most common reasons for the deaths of turtles that are kept in captivity.
If you want to give your pet box turtle strawberries or grapes, they should be given in moderation only once in a while.
How To Feed Strawberries To Box Turtles
The right way to feed strawberries to box turtles is:
Adult and fully-grown box turtles can handle large amounts of strawberry fruits without any problems, but small ones might not be able to eat all of it at once.
In this case, you can try feeding them pieces of strawberries instead.
It is a little bit harder for them to eat it whole, but they can still eat it if you are careful about it!
Make sure to cut the strawberry into small pieces before giving it to your box turtle.
You can try feeding them every week or every other week, depending on the size of your box turtle.
How Often To Feed Strawberries To Box Turtles
Box turtles are carnivores, so they have adapted to eat a diet with more protein.
They are also omnivorous (having both plant and animal nutrition requirements) and should eat about 3% of their weight in foods containing protein.
You should feed them berries once or twice a week.
They can be given to your box turtle in moderation as a treat or snack once every week or two.
It is not recommended to feed them all the time because they can get too many calories which can result in obesity or health issues.
Because they are omnivores, they should be fed a diet that includes fruits such as strawberries.
Raw vegetables should be offered regularly. Cooked vegetables should only be given as a treat.
You can offer cooked carrots as a sweetener to your pet if he is having a tough time with the raw ones.
Remember to offer a variety of vegetables every time you give your turtle some food. Give him something different from time to time to keep his taste buds interested.
Offer a mixture of colours too, since that helps his body get an extra shot of vitamins and minerals.
Foods That Are Not Safe For Box Turtles
The foods that can harm box turtles are:
Insects: Some bugs can hurt box turtles like cockroaches and grasshoppers which can cause heart failure.
Dog food: Can be harmful if eaten in excess, as it can cause anaemia or kidney damage in box turtles.
Cat food: Same as dog food, it can be harmful and should be avoided to keep the turtle’s health intact.
Alcohol: Can be fatal to turtles if they consume a large amount at once.
Coffee beans: Can lead to severe digestive issues and even death.
Candy: Can cause severe stomach upset and even heart failure in box turtles.
Dairy products: Can be fatal to box turtles if ingested in large quantities, causing digestive issues and even death.
Junk foods: Can be harmful to a box turtle’s health if eaten in large quantities as they can cause anaemia and kidney issues.
Conclusion
Strawberries are a delicious and healthy fruit that can be a wonderful addition to your pet’s diet.
Benefits of eating strawberries for box turtles:
Strawberries are very nutritious and provide an array of health benefits.
They can help with weight gain or loss, boost the immune system and protect against cancer.
Also, strawberries can provide Vitamin C which can help with the absorption of Iron.
Harmful effects of eating strawberries for box turtles:
Strawberries can cause some problems, however.
If a turtle consumes too many strawberries at once it can lead to an upset stomach and diarrhoea.
This can be prevented by feeding the fruit in moderation or separated from other food items within one meal. (This also applies to box turtles).
Additionally, the seeds can be toxic to turtles.
Other fruits can box turtles eat: Other healthy fruits that are safe for turtles include apples, grapes, raspberries, and oranges.
These can all provide Vitamin C as well as other nutrients your pet may need daily.
Do you have box turtles as pets in your home? Do you feed them strawberries?
