Preventing Colds in Turtles During Winter! 5 Great Tips to Help Your Beloved Turtle Have a Healthy, Sickness-Free Winter

As soon as winter arrives and the temperature drops, does your turtle at home easily become a “delicate creature”? It’s either sneezing, having a runny nose, or swollen eyes—all sorts of cold symptoms always appear. Don’t panic! Here are 5 little tips to help your turtle get through the winter warmly and without catching a cold.

Water Temperature Control

You should use a heating rod and do your best to maintain the water temperature between 25-28°C (77-82.4°F). When changing the water, the temperature difference between the old and new water should not exceed 2°C (3.6°F). For turtles, a temperature difference is the number one killer when it comes to causing colds. An excessive temperature difference can also easily lead to ‘gā guī’ (a web slang term for the sudden death of a pet).

Basking for Warmth

For raising turtles, basking is essential. Generally, a fixed basking time of 1-2 hours per day can both supplement calcium and enhance their immunity. On cloudy or rainy days, you can supplement with a UVB (Ultraviolet B) lamp. Sunshine is the best medicine.

Dietary Adjustment

In winter, a turtle’s appetite decreases, so the feeding frequency should be changed to once every 2-3 days. The food should be soaked until soft beforehand for easier digestion, and refuse to feed them cold food. Do not give turtles very cold, hard food, as it can easily cause indigestion and lead to enteritis.

Timely Intervention

Once you find your turtle sneezing, having a runny nose, or swollen eyes, you need to immediately isolate it and raise the temperature. Do not delay, as turtles don’t fake being sick. If medication is needed, give it to the turtle; this can help it recover quickly. If you are keeping turtles in a group, you must promptly isolate any sick ones to prevent them from infecting each other.

Health Self-Checklist

For your turtle at home, you can create a health chart yourself, print it out, and stick it on the side of the tank. Record statistics daily on temperature, activity level, feeding situation, and so on. This makes it convenient for you to check the records. If any abnormality occurs, a glance at the record chart will make it clear at a glance.

If you are raising turtles in winter and they are not hibernating, these are issues that require attention. The low temperatures in winter make it a peak season for colds. Following the points above can effectively prevent your turtle from catching a cold. Additionally, if the turtle meets the conditions for hibernation, it’s best to let it hibernate, as this is not only beneficial for the turtle’s healthy growth but also contributes to its longevity.