Veterinary Disclaimer

What this site is

General educational information about tortoise nutrition, researched from specialist and veterinary sources and reviewed as described in our sources and review policy.

What it is not

It is not veterinary advice. Nothing here diagnoses a condition, prescribes a treatment or replaces examination of an individual animal by a qualified vet.

We are not veterinarians. Where a page has been reviewed by a qualified professional, that person is named on the page. Where no reviewer is named, none has reviewed it.

It cannot account for your animal. Species, age, size, body condition, history, current health, housing, temperature and lighting all change what is appropriate, and a website cannot assess any of them.

We do not publish doses or portions. Supplement dosages and feeding quantities depend on the individual animal and should come from your vet or the product manufacturer, not from us.

Contact a reptile-experienced vet if

• Your tortoise stops eating outside the run-up to hibernation, particularly a juvenile
• It loses weight, or fails to gain when growing
• The shell is soft, flexible or deforming
• There is discharge from the eyes, nose or mouth, or open-mouth breathing
• It is lethargic or will not bask when warmth is available
• It is straining, not passing droppings or urates, or urates are hard and gritty
• It does not urinate after hibernation
• It has eaten something toxic, in which case take a sample or photograph of the plant with you
• There is blood, injury, swelling, or anything protruding

The British Chelonia Group advises seeking advice within a week for a tortoise that is not eating. Treat that as an outer limit rather than a target, and act sooner for hatchlings and juveniles.

Finding the right vet

Reptile experience matters. A general small animal practice may see very few tortoises, and the relevant diagnostics are not universal skills. Ask whether the practice sees chelonians regularly, and find your nearest exotics vet before you need one.

Take with you: recent weights, straight carapace length, what the animal has been eating, its temperature and lighting setup, and how long the problem has been going on.

In an emergency

If your tortoise is acutely unwell or has eaten something you believe is toxic, contact a vet immediately rather than researching further. Out-of-hours exotics cover varies, so it is worth knowing in advance which practice near you provides it.

Legal position

Information on this site is provided in good faith for educational purposes. It is used at your own discretion, and we accept no liability for outcomes arising from its use. See our terms of use.

Last reviewed: September 2026.