My red-eared slider eats shrimp, worms, pellets. Is that too much protein?

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  Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on July 28th, 2019

  The trick is to feed them only as much as they need, and will eat, because any uneaten food will tend to dirty their water. A good rule of thumb is to offer your slider an amount of pellets that is roughly equal to the size of their head once every other day. Commercially available pellets should be the staple of your slider’s diet. They’re specially formulated to meet all the dietary needs, and can be supplemented with a variety of different foods. Feed him an assortment of fruits, vegetables, and proteins two or three times per week. Adult RES need more plant material than protein. If you’re providing him with an age-appropriate commercial feed, along with assorted proteins, leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables, you need not worry so much about the details of what you’re feeding him. The emphasis here is on variety. So long as his diet is varied and he is eating plenty of plant matter, he will have all the nutrients he needs to be healthy. Some foods, however, should be avoided. These include raw meats from the grocery store and processed meats, such as hot dogs. Sliders cannot eat fireflies, chocolate, avocados, or onions. In general, you want to avoid all processed foods, except for those that have been made especially for aquatic turtles.

  

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