Cart 0
How to feed Dried Foods to your Tortoise? We explore ways to make introducing new foods easier.
INTRODUCING DRIED FOODS TO YOUR TORTOISE
Dried foods such as Edible Flowers/Leaves/Herbs are indispensable during times when fresh foods are not easily available. Many pet owners also cannot grow their own fresh plants as food for their pets for various reasons. Dried plants make an amazing addition to tortoise diets all year-round providing variety and greatly improving nutritional status of food. They are perfect as a top up to Romaine lettuce or other supermarket greens during winter months. And can also be mixed with other foraged/home grown plants. At Hever Tortoise World we grow a large variety of Fresh Weeds, Leaves & Herbs available throughout the year to help those who cannot grow their own.
Many tortoises are creatures of habit and often will refuse dried foods. Therefore, it is important to gradually introduce these new foods to your tortoise or your other herbivorous reptile. Some animals will eat dried flowers/herbs on their own straight away or when sprinkled onto their favourite fresh greens. Whereas others will need encouragement to get used to the taste. Be patient and always introduce new foods gradually as many reptiles do not always appreciate change! Some animals may refuse the new food at first. Continue adding it to every meal and with time and perseverance many will eventually accept it. Start with adding a pinch to their favourite meal and mix well. Once the animal is eating this, slowly increase the amount of the dried food.
OTHER WAYS OF FEEDING DRIED FOODS TO TORTOISES
Dried flowers/herbs/leaves can also be soaked on their own or together with Agrobs PreAlpin Testudo range cobs/fibre (for tortoises). Simply place all ingredients in a bowl and add warm water. Soak for between 10 – 15 min and add a small amount of this mixture to the usual food. The amount of water and the soaking time will vary depending on how moist your pet prefers it. Some flowers such as Hibiscus may need to be soaked for 15-20 min in warm/hot water to be sufficiently softened. Whole Dried Hibiscus flowers can also be ground in a coffee grinder into a powder. Then this powder could be sprinkled onto your tortoise’s favourite meal.
Soak Agrobs Testudo Original & Herbs compressed cobs (for tortoises) in warm water for 10 -15 min. Testudo Baby & Fibre can be sprinkled onto the tortoise’s usual fresh food without first being soaked. Although, they can be soaked as well as soaking improves water intake by the animal. Then thoroughly mix a small amount of the mixture with the fresh food. Start small, be patient, gradually increasing the amount.
To add variety and improve nutritional status of your pet’s food, feed different dried herbs/flowers/leaves every day. We have a large range of Dried Natural and Organic Botanical Herbs and Flowers in our Online Health food store.
For more ways on how to use our products, head over to our social media pages (FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM). There you can find inspirational videos on how to feed your tortoises (helpful also for other herbivorous reptile owners). Thank you for your support.
