What Benefits Can My Turtle Get From Eating Watermelon?

Watermelon provides health benefits for your turtle as it’s full of water, vitamins, and fiber. Vitamin C and A, potassium, and magnesium are all found in watermelon, which are TortoiseOwner.com all essential to the turtle’s health.

Vitamin C
Some species require vitamin C in their diets as they cannot make it in their bodies themselves. By providing dietary vitamin C, you can prevent your turtle from getting deficient and stave off conditions like scurvy.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is important to turtles; unfortunately, many pet turtles suffer from a vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A helps keep the skin, mucous membranes, ducts, and salivary glands healthy and functional. Ear abscesses, eye swelling and irritation, skin changes, and kidney failure can all be caused by a vitamin A deficiency, so supplementation in the diet is crucial to keeping your turtle healthy.

Potassium
Potassium is also an essential mineral, and it works in tandem with calcium to maintain the integrity of the turtle’s shell. Turtles need a large amount of calcium to grow and maintain their shells and bones, and potassium can bolster this alongside supporting other bodily systems, such as maintaining nerve and muscle health.

Water
Lastly, watermelon is full of water! Dehydration can be a common ailment of turtles, particularly semi-aquatic turtles who spend time out of water. Watermelon is 92% water, so it’s a great way to keep your turtle hydrated while giving them a treat they’ll love.