Argan Oil on my turtle?

rosietoes420

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I have a seven year old box turtle and I was wondering it it was safe to lather argan oil on my turtle, I don't know if it could harm him but it makes him smell really good and it hydrates his skin. thoughts?
 

KarenSoCal

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I don't know much about turtles. For our tortoises, there have been many discussions about putting anything on them.

Those of us that use oil mostly use cold pressed coconut oil. We put it on their shells, not their skin. Besides making them shiny, it's thought that it helps to keep the new growth keratin more hydrated and flexible, assisting smooth growth.

My personal opinion is that using oils or lotion on their skin may not be good for them. These substances penetrate the skin and can become systemic. I wouldn't know how the substances could affect the animal's health.

It will be interesting to see other members' responses.
 

Yvonne G

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I use argan oil on my hair, but I don't know how it would be on a box turtle's skin. If you want to rub a bit into the shell, I think that would be ok, but then wipe it off after a few minutes. If you feed a good diet there's no need for topicals.
 
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rosietoes420

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I use argon oil on my hair, but I don't know how it would be on a box turtle's skin. If you want to rub a bit into the shell, I think that would be ok, but then wipe it off after a few minutes. If you feed a good diet there's no need for topicals.
Okay thank you, I just didn't wanna harm my turtle, it just makes him really shiny and smells good, thanks for your input.
 

Maro2Bear

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Love Argan oil. Visited Morocco a few years ago & watched how the oil is pressed from the fruit - similar to cold pressing olive oil. About as natural as it gets as long as you don’t over do it, and it’s 100% oil, no scent added.
A little dab will do ya.

@Tidgy's Dad might offer some insight!
 

JoesMum

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A tortoise or turtle looks best natural as they are in nature. They’re not furniture and don’t need polishing.

Just my opinion, but I wouldn’t rub any kind if oil into a tortoise or turtle.
 

rosietoes420

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I don't know much about turtles. For our tortoises, there have been many discussions about putting anything on them.

Those of us that use oil mostly use cold pressed coconut oil. We put it on their shells, not their skin. Besides making them shiny, it's thought that it helps to keep the new growth keratin more hydrated and flexible, assisting smooth growth.

My personal opinion is that using oils or lotion on their skin may not be good for them. These substances penetrate the skin and can become systemic. I wouldn't know how the substances could affect the animal's health.

It will be interesting to see other members' responses.
thanks!
Love Argan oil. Visited Morocco a few years ago & watched how the oil is pressed from the fruit - similar to cold pressing olive oil. About as natural as it gets as long as you don’t over do it, and it’s 100% oil, no scent added.
A little dab will do ya.

@Tidgy's Dad might offer some insight!
Thank you!
 

rosietoes420

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A tortoise or turtle looks best natural as they are in nature. They’re not furniture and don’t need polishing.

Just my opinion, but I wouldn’t rub any kind if oil into a tortoise or turtle.
Thanks for your input.
 

Guts

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The zoo I interned at did a twice monthly coconut oiling of the larger tort’s shells to make up for a lower humidity climate, only the shells though.

I know there’s some differing opinions but since boxies are terrestrial and not dissimilar to torts I’d think it would be fine if not necessarily beneficial.
 

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