There are many reasons why your horsefield tortoise might not be eating right and it is important to look at the signs so that you can get your tortoise back on track.
Continue reading below to learn more about what to do if your horsefield tortoise isn’t eating or has bladder stones.
Their urine looks like a paste like/ whitish chalk, many for the first time wonder if there is something wrong but this is their normal urine. It is this way for them to conserve water and this appearance means your pet has a good hydration level. Dehydration will result in serious consequences so soak your pet in water at least once a week to make sure he is well hydrated.
Horsefield Tortoises aren’t high maintenance pets in numerous ways. The pet owner just needs to make sure that their pet Horsefield Tortoise diet is suitable and well-balanced enough to keep the tortoise in optimal health from a day to day basis. Horesfield Tortoises do have certain dietary needs and a good number of problems can arise if this diet is not met properly. Too rapid or slow growth is just one of the many ills that they can face. The very same can be said shell deformities amid other things.
As a tortoise owner, one of the most worrying signs is when your pet stops eating. Given that tortoises are known to be quite voracious eaters, a loss of appetite can indicate an underlying health or husbandry issue that needs to be addressed.
In this article, we’ll explore the top reasons why your tortoise may have stopped eating and provide tips on how to get them back to their normal eating habits.
How Long Can a Tortoise Go Without Eating?
Before diving into the possible causes, it’s useful to understand how long tortoises can go without food.
Healthy adult tortoises have the ability to withstand remarkably long periods of starvation due to their slow metabolisms. During brumation (hibernation), they can go without eating for 6 months to 3 years as long as they have access to water.
Outside of brumation, a tortoise can survive at least 2 weeks without food as long as temperatures and humidity levels are ideal. Hatchlings and juveniles have less reserves and shouldn’t go more than 5-7 days without eating.
So while a tortoise can survive a surprising length of time without food, loss of appetite lasting more than a few days warrants attention to determine the cause.
Top 8 Reasons a Tortoise Stops Eating
Here are the most common reasons a tortoise loses its appetite and stops eating
1. Incorrect Temperatures
As reptiles, tortoises are cold-blooded and rely on external temperatures to regulate their metabolism. If a tortoise’s enclosure is too cold its metabolism will slow dramatically and trigger brumation-like symptoms including refusal to eat.
Temperatures below 70°F (21°C) signal to a tortoise that it’s time to hibernate for the winter. Likewise, excessively high temperatures above 90°F (32°C) can cause aestivation behaviors.
Solution: Carefully monitor temperatures in both the basking area and overall enclosure using a digital thermometer. Make adjustments to maintain the ideal temperature range for your species. For most species, 75-90°F (24-32°C) works well.
2. Improper Diet
Tortoises can be picky eaters. If you suddenly change up their diet composition or offer food that’s spoiled, stale, or contains inappropriate ingredients, this can cause a tortoise to go on a hunger strike.
Solution: Try offering a favorite treat like strawberries to see if appetite improves. If not, review diet composition and remove any unusual ingredients. Focus on providing a diverse mix of leafy greens, vegetables, some fruit, and high-fiber pellets.
3. Stress
Stress is a common cause of appetite loss in tortoises. Common stressors include loud noise, habitat overcrowding, aggressive tank mates like dogs/cats, improper handling, or a recent move to a new environment.
Solution: Try to identify and eliminate any potential stressors. Give the tortoise some alone time in a quiet space to destress. Appetite should return once the tortoise feels more settled and secure.
4. Brumation
Brumation is the reptile version of hibernation. Some tortoise species naturally experience brumation cycles triggered by temperature drops and shorter daylight hours.
Solution: For species that brumate, appetite loss lasting 1-2 weeks before and after brumation is normal. Support proper hydration and nutrition during these transition periods.
5. Internal Parasites
Intestinal worms are a common problem, especially among juveniles. A heavy parasitic load robs nutrition and causes appetite loss along with digestive issues.
Solution: Have a vet run a fecal exam to check for parasites. Treat any infections found and be diligent about sanitizing the habitat to prevent reinfestation.
6. Mouth Rot
Mouth rot, also called stomatitis, is a painful bacterial infection of the mouth and throat. It makes eating difficult and causes appetite decline. Other symptoms include foul mouth odor and stringy saliva or mucus.
Solution: This requires prescription antibiotics from an exotic vet to clear the infection. Topical medications may also be prescribed to heal lesions in the mouth.
7. Respiratory Infection
Upper respiratory infections impede breathing and make eating uncomfortable. Signs include nasal discharge, wheezing, and a stretched neck posture while breathing.
Solution: Seek treatment from a vet, which typically involves antibiotics. Improve habitat hygiene and correct any humidity issues.
8. Egg-Laying
For mature females, lack of appetite and odd behavior can signify egg production. Gravid females often go off food because eggs take up abdominal space.
Solution: Offer food but don’t force it. Appetite will return to normal after laying the clutch of eggs. Provide an appropriate nesting box for egg-laying.
Tips to Encourage a Tortoise to Resume Eating
Once you’ve tackled any husbandry issues or health problems causing appetite decline, here are some tips to reboot your tortoise’s eating behaviors:
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Offer high-moisture foods – Try juicy fruits and veggies like watermelon, cucumber, or sweet potato. The extra hydration can jumpstart their appetite.
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Try a favorite treat – Offer a small amount of a favorite food like dandelion greens or strawberries. This is a good test of whether lack of appetite is due to poor diet versus illness.
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Assist feeding – For severely underweight or ill tortoises, assist feeding critical nutrients may be needed. Talk to an exotic vet about options like slurry feeding.
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Use shallow dishes – Lowering the lip of food containers can make access easier for tortoises feeling lethargic or weak.
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Heat it up – Warming foods slightly to room temperature can make them more enticing.
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Expand diet variety – Rotate different greens, veggies, fruits, flowers, hays, and pellets to add diversity.
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Check for tongue injuries – Sometimes mouth injuries make it painful to eat. Examine the tongue and mouth for lesions.
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Add appetizers – Sprinkle a little wheat germ, bee pollen or calcium supplement on foods to increase palatability.
When to Seek Veterinary Help
As a general rule, contact your exotic vet if your tortoise hasn’t eaten for more than:
- 5-7 days for hatchlings under 1 year old
- 10-14 days for juveniles 1-5 years old
- 4+ weeks for adults over 5 years old
For herbivorous reptiles, lack of fiber and grazing time can quickly lead to hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) and other problems.
Seeking vet advice promptly when appetite issues arise gives your tortoise the best chance of getting back on track and avoiding the serious complications of malnutrition.
The Takeaway on Loss of Appetite in Tortoises
While temporary fasting is normal, extended lack of appetite in a tortoise warrants attention. By troubleshooting husbandry issues like temperature and diet, reducing stress, and seeking timely medical care as needed, you can get your tortoise eating happily again. Monitor grazers closely and contact your exotics vet if poor intake lasts over a week. With proper handling, most causes of anorexia can be resolved so your tortoise continues to thrive.
What should you do if your Horsefield Tortoise isn’t eating like he normally does?
When your tortoise will not eat it is usually from the temperature being too cold. If inside housing, raise to the correct temperatures. If outdoors, bring inside and provide correct temperature levels. This should straighten out the problem.
If your Horsefield Tortoise is not eating right, it is probably, because it isn’t being fed the right things to eat. The right things to eat that make up the majority of the Horsefield Tortoise diet should consist of weeds and of flowers that aren’t non-toxic in description. Horsefield Tortoises do need to have a diet that is high in fiber, calcium-rich, and a diet that is low fat. Variety is the key to providing your tortoise with a well-balanced diet and the pet interested in the food that you are serving to it regularly. Vegetables given to a Horsefield Tortoise should only be organic and very fresh. The dos to feed your Horsefield do include dandelion leaves and flowers, dry hay, grasses, bramble, chick weed, watercress, mustard, sunflower, barley, turnip, carrot, and cabbage for an example of some good foods. Don’t feed your Horsefield any of the following things. They include iceberg lettuce, bananas, cucumbers, tomatoes, and spinach. These foods aren’t nutritional and they are low in calcium.
Calcium in your tortoises food
As far as tortoises – and especially young tortoises – are concerned, the calcium level of the food is very important, both for healthy bone and shell development, as well as the eggshells of laying females.
Dandelions are a significant source of calcium and are important for this reason. They are also generally very popular with tortoises who will eat the flowers as well as the leaves.
Other similar plants such as milk thistle can also form a significant part of their diet.
Tortoise NOT Eating? | Causes and Solutions
FAQ
What to do if your tortoise doesn’t eat?
-If alert and not vomiting, offer food, even if not eating. If your tortoise is having difficulty reaching or getting to their food, put the food dish next to them or you can also hand or tong feed them. Place a favorite food item gently against their lips and if they are hungry, they will bite at it.
What are the signs of a sick tortoise?
Symptoms include loss of appetite, swelling or colour change in your tortoise’s mouth and gums, and a white, cheesy-looking discharge around the mouth.Mar 6, 2019
How can I make my tortoise eat?
Try mashing the cucumber up and putting the juices over the foods your tortoise leaves. The cucumber juice may help to entice them. Chop a variety of leaves up into small pieces so what is what is virtually unrecognisable. Better still if there is cucumber in the mix.
How long can a tortoise go without eating?
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Metabolic Slowdown:Tortoises are cold-blooded reptiles, meaning their body temperature fluctuates with the environment. In colder temperatures, their metabolism slows down, reducing their need for food.
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Some species, like the red-footed tortoise, are known for their resilience and ability to survive for extended periods without food, potentially up to two to three years.
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Sulcata tortoises can go for days, weeks, or even a month without eating when temperatures drop, as their metabolism isn’t moving much.
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Importance of Hydration:While they can go without food for long periods, it’s crucial to ensure they have access to water, especially in warmer weather.
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Signs of Concern:If a tortoise is not eating and appears lethargic or dehydrated, it’s essential to consult with a veterinarian to determine the cause and ensure proper care.
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Examples of Tortoise Diet:In the wild, tortoises eat a variety of plants, fruits, leaves, and sometimes even dead animals or faeces.
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Feeding Recommendations:Hatchlings and young tortoises should be fed daily, while adult tortoises can be fed daily or may omit feeding for one day a week.
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Desert tortoises have a special bladder that can store water, allowing them to survive without a drink of water for up to a year.
Why is my tortoise not opening its eyes?
A tortoise that won’t open its eyes usually isn’t doing so because it doesn’t want to, rather because it can’t, and worse still it can be a sign of eye infection or vitamin A deficiency, both of which are fairly nasty and will most likely require veterinary attention to resolve.
How long can a tortoise go without food?
A tortoise can go without eating for at least a couple of weeks under normal conditions. While hibernating a tortoise can go without food for 5 to 8 months. How often should I feed my tortoise?
Why is my tortoise sluggish & lethargic?
If your tortoise seems lethargic and sluggish (even for a tortoise!) it could be down to many of the same factors discussed with regards to them not eating properly, but a particularly likely candidate for the problem is an insufficiently high enough temperature in their enclosure.
Is it normal for a tortoise to not eat?
If you just got your tortoise then it’s very normal for them to not eat during their first days in their new home. A lot of new owners get very scared when they don’t see their tortoise eating in the first few days, but this is actually something quite common. Moving to a new home can be very stressful for a tortoise.
Do tortoise eat a lot of water?
If your tortoise is eating as normal then there’s a good chance they’re taking on enough water, especially if you’re serving them fresh leafy green vegetables with residual water on them. As long as they’re eating properly I wouldn’t worry too much, they would perhaps just benefit from a slightly more regular bathing/soaking schedule.
Why does my tortoise have no appetite?
Having Mouth Rot Problem One of the most common causes of a tortoise’s lack of appetite is when they experience a condition called stomatitis or mouth rot. A bacterial infection can cause this condition through an open wound in the mouth. It can affect the tortoise worse when its immune system weakens.