When it comes to feeding our turtles, we want to make sure they enjoy the best, don’t we? We want them to have healthy and balanced diets that are incredibly tasty that keeps them happy and healthy.
But ensuring they have the diet and eat the right things can be challenging, especially as different species of turtles will have different dietary needs.
Whether you are a new turtle owner or have cared for them in the past, it can be a challenging world to maneuver and leaves many of us with a headache.
Well, no more! Today we are here tackling what turtles can and can’t eat. We’ve got lots of articles looking at what turtles can eat, so be sure to check them out too! But today, let’s look at pineapple and see if your turtle can enjoy pineapple or not!
Can Turtles eat pineapple?
Let’s get straight into it! Whether a turtle can eat pineapple or not depends on the species of the turtle. As turtles come from different climates globally, their eating habits relate largely to what they can naturally eat.
Over time their bodies have evolved to eat their local cuisine and are usually naturally intolerant to the food they wouldn’t find if they lived in the wild, and it’s important we replicate that in their diets at home.
It’s best to check your turtle species and their diet plan before feeding them any fruit, including pineapple. If you are unsure, you can ask the staff in your local reptile shop or your vet. They will be able to provide you with this information.
Generally speaking, though, turtles love pineapple and can consume it in small amounts. Pineapple features a high sugar content and should be given as a treat no more than twice a week. Ensure that their diet includes plenty of other healthy foods for them, too, as it will balance out the high sugar in pineapple.
Apart from the high sugar content that you need to watch with most turtles, the yellow foot tortoise and red foot tortoise can eat pineapple with ease.
You will need to be careful, though, as some turtles and tortoises should not eat pineapple. Their natural diet wouldn’t have much fruit, so it’s best to be avoided. Don’t give pineapple or minimal to no fruit to:
African Tortoises
Horsefield Tortoises
Mediterranean Tortoises
Russian Tortoises
Remember to speak to a vet if you aren’t sure what species your turtle is and whether they should be fed pineapple or not; after all, we are just a guide for you!
Are there toxins in pineapple?
While pineapple isn’t toxic for turtles (apart from the species that can’t have it), you still need to limit their intake. Pineapple has a high sugar content and should only be enjoyed in small amounts.
Too much sugar can be bad for your turtles and leave them with health complications. If they ingest too much sugar, they can even end up with diabetes! Be sure to moderate their sugar content and keep pineapple to a twice-weekly treat in small amounts.
Is pineapple nutritious for turtles?
Now you might be wondering, but why give my turtle pineapple? Is there any nutritious benefit to pineapple for turtles? Well, you might be surprised to hear that pineapple is filled with fantastic vitamins and minerals that are essential to your turtle’s health. Let’s take a look at those now.
Protein
Pineapples can add a good source of protein and vitamins that can be added to their usually protein-heavy diet. It can also be quite refreshing for them! For those with baby turtles, they will need more protein to help their shells grow properly.
Vitamin A
Turtles need lots of vitamin A to develop healthy skin, mucous membranes, and ducts in their organs. Vitamin A allows them to develop these easily, and they can access this through pineapple!
It’s important turtles have enough vitamin A, especially when growing to prevent them from getting any infections or respiratory issues.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C will help to boost your turtle’s immunity and prevent them from catching any infections. Pineapple will provide them with Vitamin C and keep them fit and healthy!
Magnesium
Magnesium has anti-inflammatory benefits that will help your turtle reduce any inflammation they might get in their life. The mineral can be found in pineapple and is one your turtle will thank you for!
Potassium
Potassium works to maintain nerve signals, muscle concentration and help reduce blood pressure! All things your turtle will need help with, especially as they age. Feeding them small amounts of pineapple will give them access to potassium and its benefits.
Fibers
For turtles that are herbivores, a high fiber diet is needed. Pineapple has a decent amount of fiber and can be used to boost your turtle’s fiber intake. Increasing their fiber helps with digestion and can be beneficial for any turtles with heart problems.
Calcium
Calcium is another vital mineral that your turtle needs and can get from pineapple! It will help your turtles bone and muscle formation and allow them to grow strong and healthy bones and muscles.
Phosphorus
Similar to the above, phosphorus strengthens a turtle’s bones and their shell too. Turtles can get phosphorus from pineapple top and other food sources. Their diet should be a 2:1 ratio with two parts calcium and 1 part phosphorous. If you aren’t sure how to do this, speak to your vet.
So as we can see, pineapple is packed full of nutrients and wonderful benefits that your turtles will thank you for! But how much should you be giving them? We mentioned earlier that you don’t want to give them too much pineapple as the sugar isn’t good for them.
It’s best to give your turtle 100g of pineapple per week. You can break this up throughout the week so they can enjoy the tasty treat. If your turtle is smaller or a baby, you can reduce the amount and speak to your vet if you have any concerns!
Final Word
And just like that, we have reached the end of our turtle journey today! As you can see, whether your turtle can eat pineapple or not depends on the species of turtle.
Overall, pineapple can and should be enjoyed by your turtle as a healthy treat! It’s packed full of nutrients that will help them grow strong and healthy and fight off any infections when needed. Why not chop them some pineapple today?
