Can Turtles Eat Blueberries?

Turtles make unique pets and are in many ways lower maintenance than more standard house pets like dogs. That said, having a turtle comes with some special considerations – including your turtle’s diet and lifespan.

It is always a good idea to check and verify if your turtle can eat a type of food before feeding it to your shelled pet to help ensure that they stay healthy and happy.

So, what can your turtle eat?

Can turtles eat blueberries?

The short answer is yes!

Land turtles can eat fruits, though it should not be a large part of their regular diet. In fact, according to VCA Animal Hospitals, only about 10-20% of a pet land turtle’s diet should be made up of fruit. The other 80-90% should consist of vegetables and flowers. This diet percentage will vary depending on the species of your turtle. For omnivorous and carnivorous breeds, animal protein should not make up more than two-thirds of a juvenile turtle’s diet or more than half of an adult turtle’s diet. Your turtle’s age will also affect its diet, as younger turtles generally need more protein as they grow and develop.

Blueberries specifically can add value to your turtle’s diet in small quantities.

One cup of fresh blueberries contains:

Ingredient/Vitamin/Nutrient Amount
Total Fat 0.5g (1%)
Dietary Fiber 4g (14%)
Sugars 15g
Calcium 10mg
Iron 0.4mg
Potassium 110mg (2%)
Vitamin C 14mg (15%)
Manganese 0.5mg (20%)
Vitamin K 29mcg (25%)

*Percentages represent percent daily value based on a 2,000-calorie diet. This is for context – a cup of blueberries is too large for a turtle.

For a tiny fruit, blueberries pack quite the punch. Blueberries contain fiber, vitamin K, vitamin C, manganese, and potassium. They are low in sodium and fat. Blueberries are considered flavonoid-rich foods. Flavonoids are the scientific word for a compound that exists naturally in fruits and vegetables. In the case of blueberries, this corresponds to their antioxidant properties.

But what does that mean for my turtle?

The nutrients in blueberries can add value to your turtle in controlled amounts. Vitamin C boosts immunity, helps control infections, heals wounds, and is also needed to make collagen, which provides structure and support for skin, muscles, bones, and connective tissue. Studies have shown that vitamin C is beneficial for your turtle. Vitamin K helps blood clot to prevent excessive bleeding. Manganese delivers a similar value to vitamin K but is also necessary for brain and nerve function. Potassium is an electrolyte that helps assist in essential everyday body functions.

Blueberries can add vitamins to your turtle’s diet, but it is doubtful that your turtle has any vitamin deficiency if they are fed a well-balanced diet.

In addition to vitamins and minerals, blueberries have other characteristics that are less good for your turtle. Namely, blueberries are high in sugar for a turtle. That said, blueberries have natural sugars without additional processed sugar. Processed sugar should not be fed to turtles in any form.

While blueberries are acceptable to eat and are not toxic, they can be full of sugar and acidic, which is not suitable for your turtle. There are variations between turtle species, but box turtles, painted turtles, and red-eared slider turtles can all eat blueberries.

How should I prepare blueberries to feed my turtle?

The best way to prepare blueberries for your turtle is to cut the blueberries in half or into small pieces. Make sure no seeds are present and remove them if you see them. The blueberry skin and internal pulp are safe for your turtle, so there is no need to remove the skin before feeding. Every turtle is different, though – if your turtle refuses to eat the skin, that’s ok! To each their own, right?

You can also give your turtle frozen blueberries, but let them thaw first. Try putting them in warm water for a few seconds. Feel the blueberries to ensure they are not rock hard and difficult to eat and chew.

Look over the blueberries and remove any stems or leaves. You should avoid feeding these to your turtle. Blueberry stems are not known to be poisonous, but they are more likely to hold traces of pesticides which can be harmful to turtles. Pesticides are chemicals that are used to destroy and dissuade insects from hurting the blueberries during their growth period. Beyond just blueberries, pesticides should be avoided in everything you feed your turtle.

After you give your turtle blueberries for the first time, monitor them afterward to verify that the sugar content does not give your turtle an upset stomach. Every turtle is different, and your turtle may not be able to handle blueberries as well as another.

All said, your turtle’s body is not built for a diet rich in berries. Feeding blueberries to your turtle regularly could put them at risk for health issues such as high cholesterol and digestive or kidney problems. You can feed your turtle blueberries in moderation as a nice treat to add variety.

Can turtles eat other fruit? What fruits can you give a turtle?

Turtles can eat fruit, though it should be a minor part of the diet. Fruits are less nutritious than vegetables but are nonetheless beloved by turtles.

Good fruits to add to the rotation are:

  • Figs (high in calcium)
  • Strawberries
  • Dates
  • Apricots
  • Raspberries
  • Apples
  • Melon
  • Pears
  • Mango
  • Bananas (with outer layer)
  • Grapes
  • Kiwis
  • Peaches
  • Guava
  • Tomatoes

If you can, mix fruits when you are feeding your turtle. Variety is the spice of life, even for turtles. Like humans, turtles will eat too much of a good thing if it is in front of them and avoid other nutrition that they will get from vegetables.

What should turtles not eat?

Generally, you should not feed your turtle light green vegetables like iceberg lettuce or celery. These vegetables are mainly fiber and water and are not rich in nutrients to support a healthy turtle’s diet.

You also will want to avoid foods high in fat and foods designed for humans, like bread or chocolate.

Whew! That is a lot of variety, right? Turtles enjoy and need various foods in their diet, and your turtle will likely develop preferences and favorite foods just like you have. Who knows? Maybe blueberries will be a particular favorite!

That said, make sure to mix up the food, so your turtle does not just eat their favorite pieces and miss out on valuable nutrition.

That will keep your shelled friend happy and healthy.

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