Sharp tasting, savory varieties add flavor to a variety to a lot of people’s favourite recipes. If you’re a fan of onions and enjoy them in your food, you’re probably wondering whether they’re OK to give to your pet tortoise.
The short answer is no – tortoises can’t eat onions! There’re some very good reasons why giving onions to your tortoise should be avoided.
Keep on reading to learn more, plus enjoy a handful of helpful tips to help keep your tortoise safe while still giving them the opportunity to experience new foods safely. In just a few minutes, you’ll have all the answers to your questions about can tortoises eat onions.
Onion Nutritional Facts
Tortoises shouldn’t eat onions, but that doesn’t mean that their owners ought to avoid them! They’re a good source of many essential vitamins and minerals, so enjoy them as often as you like.
It’s worth noting that each type of onion has its own certain nutritional profile, and it’s easy to get good information on the different varieties if you’re interested in doing a bit more digging. But for now, here’s a quick list of nutrients that are found in most onions:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Folate
- Phosphorus
- Zinc
- Manganese
Can Tortoises Eat Onions?
No – absolutely not! The reason that we’re being extra-emphatic is that onions contain a compound called thiosulfate, which can cause a condition called hemolytic anaemia. This disorder can cause a tortoise to lose red blood cells. So, you should never ever give onion to a tortoise.
Are Onions Good For Tortoises?
Not even a little bit. Although onions offer antioxidants and nutrients that benefit humans, they aren’t safe for most pets, including a tortoise. It’s a good job that you decided to check up on this item of food before giving onion to your pet tortoise.
Do Tortoises Like Onion?
As onions are considered toxic to tortoises, we have never tried giving them onions. Just like you, we love our pets and we aren’t willing to put their health at risk.
How Often Can A Tortoise Eat Onion?
As previously mentioned, you should never give your tortoise onions. The good news is that there are plenty of other safe, natural treats your tortoise can enjoy regularly. You’ll find a quick list of suggestions at the end of this guide: It’s ideal to use the list as a starting point.
The Correct Diet Is Important
If you’re a tortoise owner, you’ll probably already know what a proper tortoise diet consists of.
It’s highly unlikely that wild tortoises would never encounter an onion in their natural habitat, and it’s fairly safe to say that they’d stay clear of this strong-smelling plant if they happened to stumble upon it in the wild.
Healthy Alternatives To Onion For Tortoises?
Now that you know onions are off your tortoise’s menu, you may be wondering about alternative treats.
Here’s a quick list of veggies tortoises like:
- Carrots
- Cucumber
- Celery
- Red cabbage
- Bell peppers
- Kale
- Pumpkin
- Butternut squash
The items on this list are only the beginning. There are lots of other veggies and fruits out there that your tortoise would enjoy, so keep your eye out for new treats.
It’s always recommended for pet owners to spend a few minutes looking for information about new foods that you want to introduce to your tortoise. That way, you’ll find appropriate serving sizes and avoid toxic items like onions, and your tortoise will have the advantage of snacking in complete safety.
