Does my tortoise need cuttlebone, and how much should I offer?

Yes, it is fine to give and is actually recommended for use in turtles. Here is a video on how to feed this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awL9aSiWI2U For future reference this is not an emergency service so please, if you need an answer right away you should contact your vet or a 24-hour emergency vet.

Most birds will get curious over time and check items out, so he may just need a bit of time to take a look. Calcium is often more important in females that lay eggs as long as Gaucamole is on a balanced and nutritious diet already. If he doesn't like the cuttlebone at all, there are calcium supplements such as oyster shell and egg food that may be more interesting to him.

As long as it is a calcium carbonate based supplement and phosphorus free, you can use it. If Sheldon spends time outdoors in unfiltered sunlight, you won't need a calcium supplement that contains Vitamin D3. Read labels very carefully.

The cuttlebone helps to provide the bird with minerals, but they don't really tend to eat it massively. As long as it is available in the cage the bird will pick at it as necessary. One cuttlebone could last a small bird years. Ensure you are feeding a good quality seed mix and Ringo should be great.

He should be eating some greens and vegetables as well. Avoid the fish flakes as they are high in protein. Use both a multivitamin powder and a calcium powder on the food. Rep-Cal and Zoo Med products can be found in the local Petco. Make sure the UVB light is not blocked by glass, plexiglass or fine mesh. Depending on the strength of the bulb, place the source between 12 and 18 inches from the surface of the basking area. Provide a piece of cuttlebone to float in the tank as a calcium supplement for when he wants to munch it. If you can provide the species of turtle in a new post, we may be able to provide more accurate and comprehensive advice.

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.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Cuttle bones are great for keeping the beak naturally trimmed, as well as providing a source of calcium and an appropriate balance of other minerals. Budgies can consume boiled egg whites however, I have found that they typically do not go for new foods especially those that aren’t colorful. If you do decide to provide egg whites for your bird, I recommend replacing them every day to prevent them from spoiling.