Friday, March 20, 2009

Pet Turtle Care : Tips on Turtle Care

Pet Turtle Care

Turtles are very delicate creatures and once you decide to have them as pets there should be a form of commitment on your part. Since turtles are animals they are prone to disease and stress among other things. It is therefore very important that you care for your turtles. The following are tips on turtle care that will help your turtles to stay healthy and enjoy a pleasant environment.
  • Turtles are not very comfortable with being touched so it would be ideal that you do not always touch them as this may stress them.
  • It is always ideal that you keep your turtles outdoors or at least they should be allowed to go outdoors at one point in time.
  • Do not allow you turtles to roam around freely as they may leave your home and go on the road and can be harmed.
  • Always make sure that you turtle is not going to areas such as flower beds as it may end up eating plants that are poisonous there.
  • Do not allow your turtle to eat plant from the garden that have been sprayed by chemical pesticides.
  • If you are keeping your turtle indoors always make sure that you provide some heat source in the cold months.
  • If your turtles are kept indoors always make sure the area they are staying in is free from rats as rats can bite turtles and also help spread diseases.
  • Provide a good diet that constitutes different kinds of food such as insects, plants and fruits this allows the turtles to get a good supply of some of the essential nutrients they need for growth.
  • Feed your turtles with some of the turtle canned foods that are available on the market. These foods are good for they have some added vitamins and some antibiotics that ensure your pets get a balanced diet and stay healthy.
  • Turtles can become fat, so if you see that your turtles might be getting too fat make sure you reduce the amount of food you give them.
  • Always allow your turtles to bask in the sun as this is essential in the formation of vitamin D3.
  • Turtles can hibernate in winter, but if you do so wish you can take them inside during winter and provide them a source of warmth then there is no need for them to hibernate.
  • When turtles are living indoors and not in the wild their toe nails and beaks tend to grow very long, so you can trim the beaks and nails of your turtles. This can be a difficult procedure so always get assistance from someone that is experienced.
  • Always look at your turtles eyes, skin and shell. This will help you detect when your turtles are sick.
  • If you determine that your turtle is sick make sure that you consult a veterinarian who deals with reptiles.

Once you follow some of these tips on turtle care you will find that looking after your turtles will be so much easier.

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