There are various species of tortoises you can keep as pets. But you shouldn’t expect to cuddle or play with them as you would with a cat or dog. Still, these long-lived animals (they can be around for about 50 to 100 years!) are easy to grow.
Plus, they can be a fun addition to your yard. As you may know, these animals do better outside, where they can get enough sunshine and fresh air to thrive. Of course, keeping them healthy also involves feeding them properly. Each variety might have different diet requirements, but usually, most tortoises thrive on vegetables (especially leafy greens like kale, collards, dandelions, and lettuce) and spare fruits. But can tortoises eat kiwi?
You are in the right place to find out. In this essential guide, we put together everything you should know about feeding your tortoise and how to grow them healthily.
Don’t forget that a varied diet is the best option to provide your animals with all the nutrients to thrive. All tortoises seem to like variety: they enjoy most brightly colored fruits and vegetables. But what about kiwi? Jump to the following section to learn more about it!
Can Tortoises Eat Kiwi?
Tortoises love fruits, but many consider them “junk food” for these pets. Indeed, they will often prefer eating sweet and juicy fruits over vegetables, from which they generally get less nutrition. Tortoises can’t process the sugars in fruits, which might cause stomach illnesses or severe health issues in the long run.
Of course, the amount of fruits you can give your tortoise depends on the species you have in your yard. But remember that even for those for which fruit is part of their diet, it shouldn’t be more than 5% of what they eat. So, as a general rule, you should only provide minimal amounts of fruits to your pets.
So, overall, while you can give your pets some fruit now and then, prevent that from becoming a habit. Yes, it is true that in the wild, tortoises might find and eat fruits, but the event doesn’t happen every day. For this reason (and the ones we mentioned above), avoid giving your tortoise kiwis or other fruits daily: you might trigger negative behavior from your pets, who will stop eating vegetables to favor fruits. Even if you notice your tortoises are happier because you feed them fruits, keep them to a minimum: you will save them lots of trouble in the future.
In suitable doses, you can feed your tortoises a variety of fruits. Apples, bananas, peaches, melons, papaya, and figs all provide your animals with the vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy growth and development. Kiwi is another safe option, but don’t forget to use it sparingly as a treat.
Also, balance fruits with an adequate about of plants and vegetables to counter the number of sugars your tortoises get from fruits. Explore with different veggies to find out what your pets like the most and feed them a healthy diet!
How to Feed Kiwis to Tortoises
Kiwis are soft and moist fruits that might be messy. Plus, they spoil quickly. Consider chopping your kiwis into smaller parts to keep messiness to a minimum.
Despite what you may think, the fruit’s skins and seeds are also safe. Plus, they are a source of nutrients, minerals, and fibers. Even if tortoises don’t have teeth, they will swallow the fruit’s skins with no problem. Don’t forget to avoid giving your pets kiwi more than once a week.
The idea is to replicate what these animals eat in the wild as closely as possible. To make sure your tortoises take the range of nutrition they need to thrive, you can consider getting commercial feeds. It will make your life slightly less challenging, as you won’t have to worry about the variety of your pets’ diets. But don’t forget to check with your species’ preferences and requirements to make sure you give them all they need.
Can Tortoises Eat Kiwi?: The Bottom Line
To wrap up: yes, tortoises can eat kiwi, but you should give them these fruits (and others) sparingly. Ensure your animals follow a balanced diet rich in leafy greens, plants, and vegetables.
Use fruits as a treat from time to time. While a little of everything shouldn’t harm your pets, remember that too much (even of a good thing) might damage them. Don’t forget to avoid giving your tortoises citrus fruits, chilis, avocado, bread, beans, and yogurt, as they might cause reactions in your animals.
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