Is it safe to feed my pet turtle cuttlebone that's meant for birds?

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.

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.

Thanks for reaching out and including a photo. For aquatic turtles, it is very important to correct and seal the fracture, as they live in water and will commonly become infected. For now keep out of water and allow to dry. A veterinary visit is recommended for tomorrow. Pain medications are needed as the exposed bone hurts. Antibiotics are also necessary. 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.

Cuttlebone should be fine to give as most birds will self-limit when chewing on it, and if she is actively laying eggs it will help ensure she has enough calcium to form and safely lay them. She should be fine with only the cuttlebone and a balanced lovebird diet without needing to add additional calcium supplements. A lot of the controversy comes with grit style calcium supplements, which can sometimes cause obstructions in the crop. If you do not wish to have her lay eggs, removing any nesting material can help stop this behavior. Otherwise, just removing any eggs that are laid is fine. Respiratory disease usually will present with signs and symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, discharge from the nose, lethargy, heavy breathing, etc. If you suspect this is a problem, first ensuring the cage is kept clean, well-ventilated and that any bedding isn't kicking up dust is best, as well as scheduling a veterinary exam to rule out any other health issues.

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.

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.