My Russian tortoise isn't eating or moving. What could be wrong?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
i am watching a russian tortoise for my friend and he hasn’t eaten in the two days i have had him nor has he moved much.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on April 14th, 2018
Check the temperature in the enclosure. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. He could also be a bit stressed by the change in environment. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 20-30 minutes. This will warm him up while providing hydration. Dice greens and vegetables finely to make eating easier.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on January 30th, 2018
Check the enclosure temperature. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. Give her a good long soak, 20-30 minutes, in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. This will warm her up and provide hydration. If she defecates during the soak, change the water and resume soaking. If you can do it safely, look in and around her mouth for signs of infection or injury. This may include redness, swelling, bleeding or discharge. See your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet if necessary. If she doesn't begin eating again, have her examined by your veterinarian.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
HI there! I have a Russian tortoise who is less than one year old. She used to eat a variety of lettuces, spinach, cucumber, carrot, tomato, and enjoyed the bits of fresh fruit I treated her to now and then. For a couple months, she hasn't been eatin
Check the enclosure temperature. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. Give her a good long soak, 20-30 minutes, in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. This will warm her up and provide hydration. If she defecates during the soak, change the water and resume soaking. If you can do it safely, look in and around her mouth for signs of infection or injury. This may include redness, swelling, bleeding or discharge. See your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet if necessary. If she doesn't begin eating again, have her examined by your veterinarian.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
So my tortoise is 2 years old and recently has stopped/refuses to eat, he takes one bite and looks as if he is struggling to swallow it, he then won't eat anything else. I am very worried for his well fair and need some advise ASAP
Check the temperature in his enclosure. Low temps can affect appetite and activity in reptiles. A chilled tort will not eat much, if at all. Look in and around his mouth, safely if he will allow, for signs of injury or infection. This can include redness, swelling, discharge or bleeding. See your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet if necessary. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and an unflavored electrolyte replacement beverage for 20-30 minutes. This will warm him up, provide hydration and may stimulate defecation. Be sure to cut food up small enough for him to eat.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I've had my Russian tortoise for about 3 years. Unfortunately he got hit by a lawn mower about 2 years ago. The vet put a fiberglass she'll on it and he seemed to be fine. Now he does not move his eyes are shut most of the time and he is eating less
Romaine lettuce is not optimal for health or growth. Russians need a high fiber, low protein and calcium rich diet. Variety is key. Dandelion greens, kale, collared greens and turnip greens are recommended over romaine. Fresh, chopped vegetables should be offered and a commercial tortoise pellet can round out a balanced diet. UVB lighting and a heat source, along with calcium and vitamin supplementation, are also required. The shut eyes ma indicate infection or vitamin deficiency, namely vitamin A. Increase enclosure temps by 5-10 F temporarily to aid in recovery. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 30 minutes daily to maintain hydration or to treat or prevent minor dehydration. Have Squirt examined by your vet or an experienced herp vet to diagnose eye infection or injury. You can review additional care information at the link below. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Russian-Tortoise/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
I got a tortoise 2 weeks ago and she doesn't eat, she's just sleeping and she doesn't like water Is that OK? What am I supposed to do? :(
Check the temperature in the enclosure. Low temps can affect activity and appetite in reptiles. You can soak her in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 15-20 minutes once orb twice a week. This will provide warmth and hydration. Offer a variety of dark, leafy greens, chopped vegetables and commercial pellets. She will also need UVB lighting, a powdered multivitamin and a powdered calcium supplement. Set up a heat lamp to provide a basking area on one side of the tank. There should be an appropriate temperature gradient across the tank so she can move from warm to cool as she needs. If you can provide the species of tortoise, more specific advice can be provided.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a Russian tortoise. For a whole, he was going in his water regularly to soak and do his business, but I've noticed he hasn't been using it as often. Is this bad? I let him out and he had black runny BM and urinated a ton.
If he won't soak on his own, you can give him a soak once or twice a week. Use a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. Soak for at least 30 minutes. It is normal for the to defecate during the soak, if this happens, change the water. Submit the stool sample to your veterinarian to diagnose intestinal parasites. Confirm proper temps in the enclosure as low temps can affect activity, appetite and digestion in reptiles.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I recently adopted a russian tortoise, when I first saw him he seemed great, but it's been a month now, and his shell seems sort of dry? Also he won't go inside of his tree dome anymore, at first he would go in the trunk all the time, to sleep or res
You can soak him several times weekly in a warm 50/50 mix of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 20 minutes. This will provide hydration and may warm him if he is cold.
Check Temps and humidity in his enclosure. Low Temps can affect activity in reptiles. Since he is a "new" pet, consider an exam with your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet to confirm good health or to diagnose and treat any preexisting conditions. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites.
This species frequently burrows, so that aspect of his behavior is normal. You can read more about care at the link below.
http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Russian-Tortoise/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My Russian tortoise has seem to stop eating and drinking for the last couple of days. what should I do?
You should have Steve evaluated by a veterinarian that is familiar or specializes in tortoise care. He may have an underlying infection, liver disease or a primary gastrointestinal disease. If he is not eating, a feeding tube can be placed in order to provide nutrition and medications.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a tortoise (8months) and the last few days he has lost his appetite, become less active, struggles to open his eyes and keeps openning his mouth
First, check the temperatures in his enclosure. Low temps can affect activity and appetite in reptiles. Next check for elevated humidity levels. Too much can predispose him to a respiratory infection. The symptoms reported may indicate an infection or a nutritional deficiency, maybe both. Ideally, he should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating tortoises. If he has a respiratory infection he will need prescription antibiotics. In the meantime, increase temps by a few degrees to aid in any recovery.Give him a good long soak (at least 30 minutes) in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte/DioraLyte.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
I have a tortoise from last 10 to 15 days not eating and shell of the tortoise becoming loose and upper shale became loose looks like Please suggest me what can i do ? Thank You
Check the temps in the enclosure. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. A soak in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte can provide warmth and treat or prevent minor dehydration. The loose scutes may be normal shedding or not. An exam would be needed to diagnose any underlying cause. If the condition does not improve, have your tortoise examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. If you need to find a vet, use the link below. https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My tortoise ‘Tank’ is being very lethargic and not eating. He usually walks around a lot and eats often. Not the case now. His eyes are swollen and seem to be white around the outide. He has been refusing to eat for the past week. I have and have
Continue to treat as indicated by your veterinarian. Offer a varied diet rich in Vitamin A. Broccoli, carrots, cantaloupe, dandelion greens and collard greens are just a few foods rich in this vitamin. Confirm proper temperature. A cold tortoise will not eat. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 30 minutes. This will warm him up and may treat or prevent mild dehydration.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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