When you have a busy schedule or a vacation coming up, it can be stressful trying to organize who’s going to feed your turtle. Friends and family might not be available for the task, or you might not want to bother them in general.
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This is when an automatic feeder can come in handy, feeding your turtles so you don’t have to. If you’re away on a short trip or simply getting home a little late, an automatic feeder is ideal for giving you some peace of mind.
However, an automatic feeder is the type of equipment you definitely don’t want to malfunction, especially if you’re away from home. To make sure this doesn’t happen to you, I’ve reviewed a variety of units to help you find the best automatic turtle feeder.
After considering all the options our top 3 picks for the best automatic feeder were…
Our Top Picks…
If you have a busy schedule or are planning on going away, then Londafish’s auto turtle feeder is an excellent choice to keep your turtle well fed and happy.
Best All-Rounder: Londafish Automatic Feeder
Out of all the automatic turtle feeders I’ve looked at, this one is my top pick for a turtle tank.
This is one of my top picks when it comes to automatic turtle feeders as it has some great features whilst still being fairly affordable. It allows you to adjust the amount of food the unit feeds your turtles, as well as the frequency. It’s also easy to set up.
A fantastic option for your turtles as it’s both affordable and effective. It is capable of storing a variety of different food types, including fish flakes and pellets.
Best on a Budget: Yosoo Automatic Fish Feeder
If you’re on a budget this automatic turtle feeder may be a good option for you as it is inexpensive but effective.
Yosoo’s auto turtle feeder has an LCD display, an adjustable feed outlet, and a timer. All of these let you tweak the frequency and portion size of the food deposited so your turtle has enough food.
It’s one of the best automatic turtle feeders to use when you’re on vacation. The turtle feeder can be set to feed your turtle up to 4 times each day.
Editor’s Choice: Xubox Automatic Turtle Feeder
My personal favorite automatic turtle feeder. It’s one of the pricier automatic feeding devices I’ve reviewed, but comes with a few different features that can be really handy.
The Xubox automatic fish feeder has an LCD display, a timer, and an adjustable food outlet. This feeder features an inbuilt ventilation system and a battery indicator that informs you when the batteries for the device are running low.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Auto Feeders
If you’re thinking of getting an automatic feeder, it’s important to take a look at the positives and negatives to help you figure out whether one could work for you.
First, let’s take a look at the advantages of using an automatic feeder for your turtles.
- You don’t need to rely on a neighbour or family member to feed your turtles when on vacation
- You don’t need to stick to a feeding schedule
- Your turtles get the exact food amount they require
If you’re worried about a neighbour or relative feeding your turtles while you’re away, or you’re only away for a few days so don’t want the hassle, an automatic turtle feeder is a great option to keep your mind at ease.
Not only are automatic feeders convenient, but you can also set them to deposit the exact amount of food your turtles require. This means there’s no risk of your turtles missing a meal or being overfed/underfed.
Even when you’re not away from home, automatic turtle feeders are convenient…
Even when you’re not away from home, automatic turtle feeders are convenient as you don’t need to stick to a feeding schedule. This is ideal if you have a busy daily routine or work commitments.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Now, let’s take a look at a couple of disadvantages of automatic feeders.
- Can malfunction or be unreliable
- Can struggle to retain food quality for a long period of time
Like the turtle water heater, tank filters, or any other equipment in your turtle tank, automatic feeding devices can malfunction or break. If this happens while you’re away, then it can have disastrous consequences.
NOTE
Some automatic feeders can also struggle to retain the quality of food for an extended period of time. Moisture can get into the feeder, impacting the quality of your turtle’s food. Fortunately, a lot of automatic fish feeders have an integrated ventilation system and moisture-proof chamber to counteract this issue.
How Often Does a Turtle Eat?
There are various opinions on how often you should feed your turtles, but most turtle keepers feed juveniles (up to one year of age) once a day, young adult turtles every other day, and older turtles every third day if there are aquatic plants in the enclosure.
What Can Turtles Eat?
You should feed your turtles a balanced diet to provide them with a variety of nutrients…
You should feed your turtles a balanced diet to provide them with a variety of nutrients. Especially if you are raising baby painted turtles, it is crucial to provide them with food that contains additional nutrients to support their growth. While most commercial turtle pellets are adequate, you should make sure you offer your turtles a range of different fresh foods, too. Safe foods for turtles include:
- Protein: Mealworms, boiled egg, crickets, snails, and earthworms
- Fruits: Grapes, apples, strawberries, banana, kiwi, cantaloupe, and tomato
- Vegetables: Corn, peas, squash, yams, and carrots
- Flowers: Dandelions, lilies, petunias, geraniums, and carnations
- Greens: Collard greens, carrot tops, and kale
What Can Turtles Not Eat?
Although there are a lot of foods you can safely feed your turtle, there are some that you should avoid. This is because they are harmful or offer little nutritional value. These types of foods include:
- Raw meat: Raw meat can cause obesity, pyramiding, and kidney issues in turtles.
- Spinach, chards, beets, and rhubarb: All of these foods contain a high amount of oxalic acid, which can make it difficult for your turtle to absorb calcium. When turtles are calcium deficient, they can develop MBD (metabolic bone disease), which is fatal.
- Beans and mushrooms: Both of these foods don’t offer a lot of nutritional value for turtles and can cause gout.
- Goldfish: Although tasty for your turtle, goldfish is quite fatty and doesn’t have a lot of nutritional value.
- Celery and Iceberg Lettuce: Celery and iceberg lettuce aren’t inherently bad for turtles, but they don’t provide a lot of fiber or nutritional value.
Can You Overfeed a Turtle?
Turtles are opportunistic feeders and will eat as much as they can whenever the opportunity presents itself. In the wild, turtles don’t know when their next meal will be, which is why they eat whenever they are given the chance to.
In captivity, turtles don’t have this issue, but that doesn’t mean they won’t gorge themselves when an abundance of food is offered. It’s easy to overfeed your turtles as they will often beg for food or dart to the top of your turtle tank when they see you approach. You might interpret this as hunger, but don’t be fooled.
NOTE
Only feed your turtles the proper amount of food for their age as giving them too much food can be harmful in the long run.
Is My Turtle Overweight?
To check whether your turtle is overweight, look at the soft areas near their armpits, neck, and groin area. If soft tissue swells outward, your turtle is most likely overweight.
TIP
Overweight turtles should be fed a calorie-restricted diet, so it’s a good idea to see a veterinarian for advice and guidance on turtle nutrition.
How Long Can Turtles Go Without Food?
An adult turtle that has been fed well its entire life can survive several months without eating any food. However, you should never leave it this long before feeding your turtle. Never let your turtle go more than a week without food.
Best Automatic Turtle Feeders Reviews
Londafish Fish Feeders Automatic
If you have a busy schedule or are planning on going away, then Londafish’s auto turtle feeder is an excellent choice to keep your turtle well fed and happy.
Best All-Rounder: Londafish Fish Feeders Automatic
If you have a busy schedule or are planning on going away, then Londafish’s auto turtle feeder is an excellent choice to keep your turtle well fed and happy. It’s suitable for an array of food types, including turtle pellets and flakes.
suitable for an array of food types, including turtle pellets and flakes…
The feeder has an LCD screen display that makes it easy to schedule your turtle’s feeding times. You can adjust the feeder to deposit food up to 4 times each day.
Easy to Install
Installing this turtle feeder is hassle-free, simply place food in the unit and clip it onto your turtle tank using the provided screw. Alternatively, you can install the feeder to the turtle tank using double-side stickers.
Power Source
This feeder runs on battery power using AA 1.5 V alkaline batteries, so it’s a lot more energy efficient than AC powered automatic turtle feeders. Batteries aren’t included with the unit, so you will need to buy them separately.
However, this feeder can occasionally malfunction or be a bit difficult to operate. The feeder bin is also a little small and can suffer from durability issues.
Specs
- Weight: 7 oz
- Color: Black
- Power: 2x AA batteries
Pros
- Compatible with a variety of different food types
- LCD display
- Easy to install
- Can adjust amount of food the unit deposits
Cons
- Feeder bin is a little small
- Possible durability issues
A fantastic option for your turtles as it’s both affordable and effective. It is capable of storing a variety of different food types, including flakes and pellets.
Best on a Budget: Yosoo Automatic Fish Feeder
capable of storing a variety of different food types, including flakes and pellets…
This automatic feeder is a fantastic option for your turtles as it’s both affordable and effective. It is capable of storing a variety of different food types, including flakes and pellets.
Settings
You can set the feeder to feed your turtle up to 4 times a day, as well as different portion sizes. While feeding your turtles this much is probably a little excessive, it’s a nice touch nonetheless.
To reduce energy costs, this automatic feeder is powered by AA batteries. However, these will need to be purchased separately.
Easy to Install
I really like the LCD screen display of this turtle feeder as it shows the time making it easier to set feeding timers. It’s also very simple to install as all you need to do is fill it with food and attach it to your turtle tank using the included clamp.
However, the material of Yosoo’s automatic turtle feeder is a little flimsy. The unit still works as intended, so this isn’t a huge concern.
Specs
- Dimensions: 4.72 x 4.33 x 3.15 inches
- Weight: 1.41 Oz
- Color: Black
- Power: 2x AAA batteries
Pros
- Can adjust amount of food the unit deposits
- LCD timer display
- Easy to install
Cons
- Material is a bit flimsy
It’s one of the best automatic turtle feeders to use when you’re on vacation. The feeder can be set to feed your turtle up to 4 times each day.
Editor’s Choice: Xubox Automatic Turtle Feeder
My personal favorite automatic turtle feeder is this one from Xubox. The capacity of the feeder bin can be increased to 100ml, so it’s one of the best automatic turtle feeders to use when you’re on vacation.
The capacity of the feeder bin can be increased to 100ml…
The feeder can be set to feed your turtle up to 4 times each day. Even though your turtles probably won’t need this much amount of food, it’s still a handy feature. You can use a variety of different food types in Xubox’s automatic turtle feeder, including pellets and flakes.
Easy to Install
Setting up this feeding device in your turtle tank is easy, simply place the universal installation clamp on the edge of your turtle tank and tighten the plastic screws. This feeder has an easy-to-use LCD, as well as an inbuilt ventilation system that helps prevent moisture getting into your turtle’s food.
Power Source
This feeder device runs on battery power, it uses AAA batteries ice, which is much safer and energy efficient than traditional plug-in automatic feeders.
ability to let you know when the power of the unit is running low…
One of the best aspects of this automatic turtle feeder is its ability to let you know when the power of the unit is running low. The feeder shows a symbol on its LCD display when the batteries are almost depleted. This is a brilliant feature as you’ll be able to clearly see when the power is low rather than guessing.
However, this automatic turtle feeder has had some reports of a couple of problems. It can sometimes struggle to dispense flake food, and the timer on the LCD display can malfunction.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- In-built ventilation system to protect food quality
- LCD display
- Notifies you when batteries are running low
Cons
- Timer can malfunction
- Can struggled to dispense flake food
Another solid choice for your turtle. The feeder has 10 different dose settings to make sure your turtle gets exactly the right amount of food.
Hydor Auto Feeder
Hydor’s automatic turtle feeder is another solid choice for your turtle. It can be adjusted to feed your turtle up to 3 times per day. This feeder works with flake, pellet, and tablet food.
has 10 different dose settings to make sure your turtle gets exactly the right amount of food…
The feeder has 10 different dose settings to make sure your turtle gets exactly the right amount of food. The feeder bin has a capacity of 100ml, which should be plenty of storage. It also has a mixing vibration to prevent any clumps forming in your turtle’s food.
Storage Feature
You can connect the automatic feeder to an aerator to keep your turtle’s food dry and fresh. This is helpful for ensuring the quality of your turtle’s food.
Power Source
Hydor’s automatic feeder is powered using two AA batteries, which makes it more energy efficient and safer than traditional plug-in feeders.
Unfortunately, there are a few downsides of this auto turtle feeder. You can’t set the time for when the feeder dispenses food. Additionally, the feeder can suffer from durability issues, such as loudness over time.
Specs
- Dimensions: 3” x 3” x 6”
- Weight: 7.2 oz
- Color: Black
- Power: 2x AA batteries
Pros
- 10 different dose settings
- Can be connected to an aerator to keep food dry
- Suitable for a variety of different food types
Cons
- Can have durability issues
- Can’t set feeder to deposit food at specific times
This device is one of the best automatic feeders you can control with your voice. It can be used with Amazon Alexa and Echo so you can set it up and operate it without using your hands.
Decdeal Automatic Feeder
This device is one of the best automatic feeders you can control with your voice. It can be used with Amazon Alexa and Echo so you can set it up and operate it without using your hands.
can be used with Amazon Alexa and Echo…
Alternatively, the automatic feeder can also be accessed through an app on your smartphone device. This is extremely convenient, especially when you’re not at home to operate the feeder.
Timer And Countdown Feature
The feeder has a timer and countdown function to allow you to schedule feeding times for your turtles. It also has an adjustable feed outlet so you can change the portion size of food.
ability to save feeding times and portions…
My favorite feature of this feeder from Decdeal is its ability to save feeding times and portions. Even when the network to the feeder is offline, it will still dispense food in accordance with its previous setting.
Despites its positives, this feeder does have a couple of issues. Firstly, the instructions included with the unit are a little unclear, which can make it hard to set up. And secondly, the app for the feeder can be a bit hard to navigate.
Pros
- Can be operated using voice control or an app
- Adjustable feed outlet
- Includes a timer function
- Saves feeding settings
Cons
- Instructions included can be a bit unclear
- App can be hard to use
Summary
Let’s take a quick look at all our top 3 picks for the best automatic feeder…
Best All-Rounder
Out of all the feeding devices I’ve looked at, I think the best automatic turtle feeder is the Londafish Fish Feeder. It has an LCD display that allows you to set the time your turtles are fed, as well as the amount of food you give them.
The unit is easy to install and powered by batteries. This makes it safer and more energy efficient than standard plug-in feeders. However, one main downside of the device is its durability.
Other Great Options
If Londafish’s automatic feeder doesn’t look the right match for you, then two other great choices of automatic turtle feeders are the Yosoo Automatic Feeder and Xubox Automatic Feeder.
Best on a Budget
In my opinion the former being the best automatic turtle feeder in terms of affordability, while Xubox’s device is the best automatic turtle feeder in terms of features. Both devices have an LCD display and an adjustable timer as well as feeding output. The only potential issue with Yosoo’s turtle feeder is its flimsy material.
Editor’s Choice
Xubox’s turtle feeder is my personal favorite as it has an inbuilt ventilation system and a battery indicator to let you know when the batteries for the unit are running low. These are two handy features that the other feeders don’t offer making it a stand out choice for me. Despites its positives, the device’s timer and feeder bin can sometimes be a bit unreliable.
