Poop question

[esiotrot]

My spur thighed (greek) tortoises seem to be a bit constipated to me. Quite firm poop. They have a varied leafy diet, 24/7 access to water & are currently bathed once a week for 30 mins (which they hate!) should I increase the bathing? I'm in the UK, so not too hot or anything.

 

[JoesMum]

Success with soaking can be improved by doing it first thing before they're warmed up properly and by getting the water temperature right. Joe will soak for ages if the water is warm enough, but tries to climb out as soon as it cools down. If I keep replacing the water, he'll stay put for much longer. (I use the kitchen sink or bath, so can drain some away and then top up)

My soaking tips are here

We are in the UK, but it is finally summer and the temperatures have definitely gone up recently. This affects indoor temperatures which become much higher than usual... I'm struggling to keep the temperature down in out tropical aquarium at the moment.

Your tort could be dehydrated... sunken eyes are a big clue. I would increase the soaking frequency. Joe is outside and I'm doing him daily at the moment.

 

[esiotrot]

I'll give that a try with the daily soaking. I was doing it on a morning, first thing & starting with warm, but finishing cold, so that does make sense to me.

You're my heroine of the day, thank you x

 

[GeoTerraTestudo]

You can also offer your tortoise some fruit. Frequent fruit for Mediterranean tortoises is bad and leads to diarrhea, but as long as your tortoise has a healthy diet of greens, you can give it fruit occasionally if it is constipated, to help soften the stool a bit.

 

[esiotrot]

Thanks for that. I'll give them a strawberry each tomorrow with their breakfast.

 

[jpmcclure]

Success with soaking can be improved by doing it first thing before they're warmed up properly and by getting the water temperature right. Joe will soak for ages if the water is warm enough, but tries to climb out as soon as it cools down. If I keep replacing the water, he'll stay put for much longer. (I use the kitchen sink or bath, so can drain some away and then top up)

My soaking tips are here

We are in the UK, but it is finally summer and the temperatures have definitely gone up recently. This affects indoor temperatures which become much higher than usual... I'm struggling to keep the temperature down in out tropical aquarium at the moment.

Your tort could be dehydrated... sunken eyes are a big clue. I would increase the soaking frequency. Joe is outside and I'm doing him daily at the moment.

I put Thor in a home depot bucket with warm water and then place that in the bathtub with hot water around the bottom. This way I'm only refreshing the water in the bathtub and it keeps bucket water warm. However, he's been sick and so I started doing it this way just to minimize the stress on him by over handling him.

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I put Thor in a home depot bucket with warm water and then place that in the bathtub with hot water around the bottom. This way I'm only refreshing the water in the bathtub and it keeps bucket water warm. However, he's been sick and so I started doing it this way just to minimize the stress on him by over handling him.

But...Thor is already a year old so he's much bigger. But that concept may work with something smaller he can't get out of and possibly in the sink. I get my coffee and catch up on the forum while he's soaking and I don't have to keep refreshing his water to warm again so often. Unless of course he messes. I'm new though so please ask. This is just what I've found to do that frees up some time to get other things done while soaking him.

 

[esiotrot]

You can also offer your tortoise some fruit. Frequent fruit for Mediterranean tortoises is bad and leads to diarrhea, but as long as your tortoise has a healthy diet of greens, you can give it fruit occasionally if it is constipated, to help soften the stool a bit.

Well I gave them some strawberries this morning with their food & they ate them all up. I know it's not a regular food, but hopes this helps them

 

[JoesMum]

Tomato is another one to try. Less sugary than strawberries. Also cucumber.

 

[esiotrot]

I put Thor in a home depot bucket with warm water and then place that in the bathtub with hot water around the bottom. This way I'm only refreshing the water in the bathtub and it keeps bucket water warm. However, he's been sick and so I started doing it this way just to minimize the stress on him by over handling him.

---

But...Thor is already a year old so he's much bigger. But that concept may work with something smaller he can't get out of and possibly in the sink. I get my coffee and catch up on the forum while he's soaking and I don't have to keep refreshing his water to warm again so often. Unless of course he messes. I'm new though so please ask. This is just what I've found to do that frees up some time to get other things done while soaking him.

---

I really like the idea of putting the tubs in hot water in the bath. That's a great idea. I'll definitely give that a go. Thank you

 

[GeoTerraTestudo]

You can also offer your tortoise some fruit. Frequent fruit for Mediterranean tortoises is bad and leads to diarrhea, but as long as your tortoise has a healthy diet of greens, you can give it fruit occasionally if it is constipated, to help soften the stool a bit.

Well I gave them some strawberries this morning with their food & they ate them all up. I know it's not a regular food, but hopes this helps them

Exactly. Not something to give on a regular basis. Just as a rare treat, or in this case, a stool softener. And as JoesMum said, there are other, less sweet fruits you can offer as well. Let us know how it works.

 

[esiotrot]

I also added some courgette to their food, no tomato or cucumber in at the min. I can see the the less sugary foods would be better. Thank you.

(they've hardly eaten anything today though )