Can I use human calcium supplements for my baby sulcata tortoise?

Thanks for reaching out about your RES. Anything can be problematic if overdone. The benefits depend on the type of calcium compound and how well it is absorbed through the intestinal tract. Exposure to UVB radiation (i.e. sun bulb) is necessary for vitamin D activation and intestinal calcium absorption. Natural sources of calcium, fish with bones or green vegetables, are a more appropriate calcium source. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Spyke. Cuttlebone does not need to be offered unless the diet is not balances. Cuttlebone is not a source of calcium that is readily digestible/absorbable. Depending on the type of tortoise, calcium is provided in the diet in different ways. Aquatic turtles will sometimes eat green vegetables, but normally consume whole prey (fish) with bones, in the wild. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is also important for calcium metabolism. Check and correct these problems. Good luck.

You should not need to be supplementing these items as long as the parents are feeding the baby from their own balanced diet, or you are providing a baby bird formula for the bird to eat. You can however, provide extra calcium for the mother to help with any future egg-laying and prevent egg-binding.

Although some expert may disagree, as long as Ash isn't ingesting the calcium sand then you can continue to use it. Calcium sand is not the same as play sand which would not be recommended. If you don't want to use calcium sand, consider slate, reptile carpet or even paper towels for easy cleaning.

It would be more practical to provide regular baths or soaks in warm water or a 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. Adequate hydration, UVB lighting, a balanced diet and vitamin/mineral supplementation will all promote shell health as well as overall health.

Too much calcium COULD cause a concern, but maybe taking an occasional blood sample to measure circulating calcium, would be a good idea. This might indicate over supplementation of calcium. Normally birds regulate calcium absorption through the intestines and supplementation is not a problem. Monitor defecation and urination. Keep in contact with your veterinarian. Good luck.

I would recommend checking with your vet on this one. I'm not familiar with a reason we'd be starting a dog on calcium supplements and there are so many different doses of human supplements, so I'd want your vet to clarify what they have in mind.