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While you might not think it’s that important what fruits are in your tortoise’s diet, the truth is that they can’t eat everything. While grapes and raisins are acceptable for tortoises to eat in moderation, they would likely be better off if they were omitted from their diet.
We break down everything you need to know to give your tortoise a well-balanced diet and keep them healthy.
Can Tortoises Eat Grapes or Raisins?
In short, there’s nothing wrong with feeding the occasional grape to a fruit-eating tortoise. However, you need to moderate how many grapes or raisins that you feed your tortoise, as these aren’t natural foods that they can find in the wild.
Keep in mind that tortoises from temperate regions, such as the Greek, Russian (Horsfield’s), Hermann’s, and Marginated tortoises should not be offered fruits unless you are specifically instructed to do so by your veterinarian.
For all other tortoises, grapes are likely safe but not an ideal food (they are better off with hay, vegetables, and other species-appropriate foods).
What Fruits Should You Not Give Your Tortoise?
While most fruit is fine for tortoises, it is nonetheless worth noting that the nutritional profile of almost all fruits isn’t conducive to the long term health of most pet tortoises.
Many citrus foods are not advised for tortoises due to the fact that they may have the potential to change a pet’s intestinal flora if consumed in excess.
Though most fruits are labeled as healthy for humans due to the fact that they offer vitamin C, this vitamin isn’t necessary for tortoises. Unlike us, they (alongside much of the animal world) can make it themselves. As such, the nutritional value of fruits is largely inferior to that of vegetables for tortoises.
What Is an Ideal Tortoise Diet?
Most tortoises are herbivores, which means their diet should primarily consist of dark, leafy greens, grass, hay, pellets, and a limited amount of fruits and vegetables. Vegetables like cucumbers, kale, spinach, carrots, and broccoli are safe for tortoises in moderation.
Depending on the species, fruits like grapes can make up about 10% of their diet, with vegetables at 10% and leafy greens making up the remaining 80%.
Best Tortoise Treats
The best treats for your pet tortoise are fruit. They love kiwis, berries, melons, bananas, and other fruits. Not only will your tortoise love these treats, but they are also healthy options for as long as you feed them to your pet in moderation.
What Are Other Popular Treats for Your Tortoise?
Fruits are ideal treats for your tortoise. While you can feed them grapes, other great options include bananas, strawberries, apples, and pears.
It’s best to mix up the fruit that you give them so they can get different nutrients. You should still ensure that it doesn’t make up more than 5-10% of their diet. Too many fruits can give your tortoise too much sugar, which can negatively impact their gut health.
The 5 Foods You Should Avoid Feeding Your Tortoise
While you might think that you can feed your tortoise any vegetables, fruits, or the occasional treat, the truth is that tortoises shouldn’t eat a wide array of foods. We highlighted a few of the most common problem foods here.
1. Frozen Vegetables
Anecdotally, frozen vegetables can pose choking hazards to tortoises. It is better to feed them fresh vegetables that are easier to chew.
2. Canned Vegetables
Your tortoise needs fresh produce. While canned vegetables have the necessary nutrients, they also have sodium that your tortoise can’t handle. We completely understand that keeping fresh produce on hand is more work, but it’s what your tortoise needs to stay healthy.
3. Dairy Products
Like many animals, tortoises are lactose intolerant. This means they can’t process dairy, so if you give them any dairy products, they will get sick. If you continuously give them dairy, it can be fatal, although even a little dairy will make your tortoise extremely uncomfortable.
4. Celery
While celery isn’t toxic to your tortoises, it’s a poor choice of vegetable to give them. Celery provides your tortoise with little energy and too much sodium. It’s a lose-lose-lose for tortoises, so choose a better food for them.
5. Bread
The problem with bread is everything that people put in it. Bread has preservatives that can harm your tortoise. It is also nutritionally inappropriate for them as it isn’t something they would naturally eat.
Final Thoughts
While you don’t want to overload your tortoise with too many fruits, there’s nothing wrong with the occasional grape or raisin. Just be sure not to overdo it because too many grapes can lead to digestive problems. When you’re trying to decide what fruits to give your tortoise, mix it up as much as possible to give them more variety and nutrients.
Related Reads:
- Can Turtles Eat Blueberries? Our Vet Answers
- Can Turtles Eat Oranges? Vet-Approved Nutritional Science & Info
Featured Image Credit: IanRedding, Shutterstock
