Common Issues with Turtle Care

If you're part of the 1.4% of households sharing your home with a reptile in the United States, there's a chance that reptile friend is a turtle. A pet turtle can be a decades-long companion, but like all pets, they require special care and consideration. Your pet can experience health concerns, and it's easy to panic if you don't know what to expect. Keep reading to discover four common issues with turtle care.

1. The Risk of Salmonella

While salmonella is an issue for humans in the household and not the turtle itself, this is a big one with turtle care. So let's get it out of the way — some turtles carry salmonella. The sale of the most likely culprits, turtles with shells smaller than 4 inches, has been banned in the United States since 1975. However, the reality is that any turtle can carry salmonella. The best way to combat the issue is to prioritize hand washing after every time you handle your turtle.

2. Less-than-Ideal Habitat Conditions

Turtles need the proper conditions for healthy growth and thought should be given to the right temperature, water filtration, and lighting conditions. If any of those are off, turtles could have a shortened lifespan.

With some forethought, your pet turtle can live happily in their enclosure, which should give them ample space and clean, filtered water. Use a water conditioner to neutralize chlorine, chloramines, and heavy metals. Of course, that water should be heated to help regulate body temperature — but don't forget a basking platform where your turtle can cool off.

It might seem like you need a lot to keep your turtle's enclosure the best it can be. But it doesn't need to be overwhelming. An enclosure of up to 20 gallons can be more easily set up with a habitat accessory kit, which includes many of the essentials like the lighting and basking platform.

3. Shell Health

A turtle's shell protects the animal from injuries in the wild and in a home. Your turtle's shell could be accidentally injured in a number of ways, like a fall, improper handling, or by another animal in the house, like a dog. If you have an aquatic turtle, be sure to check your turtle's shell regularly for soft spots or a lot of flaking, as this can be a sign of shell rot. Luckily, veterinarians who handle turtles can often repair shell issues, and many turtles heal well.

4. Improper Diet

Many health problems arise in turtles due to a poor diet. Fortunately, a lot of the foods turtles eat are readily available at your local grocery store, like lettuce, red peppers, and other vegetables. As omnivores, your turtle will likely appreciate worms and feeder fish, too. A turtle's diet can also be supplemented with food pellets, vitamin spray, and calcium spray.

Turtles need to be fed in water because the water aids in swallowing, and any uneaten food should be removed so it doesn't go bad or make the tank dirty. Also, turtles appreciate some variety in their diet and may choose not to eat if they're given the same foods every day.

Preparation Is Important

While the care of a pet turtle requires a lot of commitment, being prepared is key. You've already conquered the first step because you know the common issues with turtle care. Now with an eye to diet, habitat, proper handling, and handwashing, you and your turtle can be happy companions for many years to come.