What Can Turtles Eat on Thanksgiving? A Guide to Safe Holiday Treats

Thanksgiving is a time for celebration and feasting, and your turtle can join in the fun too! But before you share your holiday spread with your shelled friend, it’s important to know which festive treats are safe and healthy for them.

In this guide, we’ll explore what turtles can eat on Thanksgiving, ensuring they enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal alongside you.

Safe Thanksgiving Foods for Turtles and Tortoises

In this part of the post, I want to talk about the specific foods that are safe and healthy for turtles and tortoises during Thanksgiving. I’ll go over the nutritional benefits of each food, how I prepare them, and how much I usually offer.

Pumpkin

• Nutritional Benefits: Pumpkin is one of those treats I love giving my turtles because it’s packed with fiber, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants. These nutrients are great for their digestion and overall health.
• How I Prepare It: I usually serve pumpkin either cooked or raw. If I’m in a hurry, I just cut the raw pumpkin into small, easy-to-eat pieces. When I have a bit more time, I cook the pumpkin, mash it, and sometimes even puree it, especially if I’m dealing with smaller turtles who might find it easier to eat that way.

Greens

• Safe Leafy Greens: Some of my go-to greens are collard greens, kale, and dandelion greens. These greens are loaded with calcium, which is essential for keeping my turtles’ shells and bones strong.
• Portion Sizes and Serving: I’m always mindful of portion sizes, making sure to adjust based on the size of my turtle. I chop the greens into bite-sized pieces so they’re easier for my turtles to munch on. Fresh, raw greens are the way to go.

Squash

• Types of Squash: I like using butternut or acorn squash as safe options. They’re rich in vitamins, especially vitamin A and potassium, which are beneficial for my turtles’ health.
• Cooking Methods and Serving: I usually cook the squash until it’s soft and then cut it into small, turtle-friendly pieces. Sometimes I serve it warm, but room temperature works just as well.

Carrots

• Nutritional Content: Carrots are a great source of beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A, supporting eye health in turtles. This makes carrots a healthy addition to their diet.
• How I Offer Carrots: Depending on the day, I might serve carrots raw or lightly steamed. When they’re raw, I shred or slice them thin to prevent any choking hazards.

Apples

• Safe Preparation: Apples are a sweet treat, but I’m always careful to remove the seeds first since they contain cyanide, which is toxic. After that, I cut the apple into small pieces that my turtles can easily handle.
• Serving Tips: Since apples are sugary, I offer them in moderation. It’s more of an occasional treat than a regular part of their diet to make sure I’m not overloading them on sugar.

Preparing a Thanksgiving Feast for Your Turtle

When it comes to Thanksgiving, I love making sure my turtles get to enjoy the holiday just like the rest of the family.

Preparing a special feast for them is a fun way to include them in the celebration, and it’s important to make sure the meal is balanced and healthy.

I always start by thinking about variety. Just like us, turtles benefit from a mix of different foods. For Thanksgiving, I make sure to combine different safe options like pumpkin, leafy greens, squash, and maybe a little fruit like apples or carrots.

This way, my turtles get a range of nutrients, from vitamins to fiber, all in one meal.

Recipe: Thanksgiving Turtle Feast

Here’s my go-to recipe for a festive turtle meal:

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of cooked pumpkin (mashed or pureed)
• A handful of chopped collard greens or kale
• 2-3 small pieces of cooked butternut squash (softened)
• A few thin slices of raw or lightly steamed carrots
• 2 small pieces of apple (seeds removed)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pumpkin: I usually start with the pumpkin. If it’s raw, I’ll cut it into small pieces, or if I’m using cooked pumpkin, I mash or puree it until it’s smooth.
2. Cook the Squash: Next, I soften the squash by cooking it until it’s tender. Once it’s cool, I cut it into small, bite-sized pieces.
3. Chop the Greens: I then take the collard greens or kale and chop them into tiny pieces that are easy for my turtle to eat.
4. Slice the Carrots and Apples: Finally, I thinly slice the carrots and apples, making sure the apple seeds are completely removed since they’re harmful.
5. Assemble the Feast: I mix the mashed pumpkin with the chopped greens to create a colorful, nutritious base. On top of that, I add the pieces of squash, carrot slices, and apple. I like to arrange it all nicely on a small plate to make it look as festive as possible.

Serving Suggestions

Once the feast is ready, I place it in my turtle’s feeding area. It’s always fun to watch them explore the different textures and flavors.

The portion sizes are adjusted based on the size of my turtle, but this recipe generally works well for an average-sized pet turtle. I also make sure to clean up any leftovers after a couple of hours to keep their habitat clean.

Portion Control

It’s easy to get carried away with treats, but I remind myself to keep portions small and balanced. Turtles don’t need a lot of food, so I keep the servings in line with their regular diet, focusing on quality over quantity.

By preparing this simple, balanced meal, I ensure my turtles enjoy Thanksgiving safely and healthily, making them a part of the celebration in their own special way.

Foods to Avoid During Thanksgiving

When it comes to sharing Thanksgiving with my turtles, I’m always careful about what foods to avoid. While it’s tempting to want to share everything from the table, there are some dishes that just aren’t safe for them. Here’s a list of foods I steer clear of and why.

Stuffing and Gravy

These are big no-nos for turtles. Stuffing often contains onions, garlic, and various spices that can be harmful to turtles. Gravy is also off-limits because it’s usually high in fat and salt, which can lead to health problems. So, I make sure to keep these away from their feast.

Cranberry Sauce

I love cranberry sauce, but it’s definitely not something I’d give to my turtles. The high sugar content and added preservatives can upset their digestive systems. Even if it’s homemade, it’s better to avoid cranberries altogether, as turtles don’t process sugars well.

Mashed Potatoes

While plain potatoes might be safe in small amounts, mashed potatoes are usually made with butter, milk, and sometimes even cheese. The dairy can cause digestive issues in turtles, so I don’t include mashed potatoes in their meal.

Turkey and Meat-Based Dishes

It might seem like a good idea to give my turtles a bit of turkey, but I always skip it. Turtles in the wild do eat some protein, but cooked meats, especially those seasoned or prepared with oils and spices, aren’t safe. I stick to plant-based foods that I know are good for them.

By keeping these foods off the menu, I make sure that my turtles stay healthy and happy during the holiday. It’s all about knowing what’s best for them and making choices that ensure their well-being.