Can Painted Turtles eat Stinging Nettles (dried or cooked)?
Chrysemys picta · Urtica dioica
Caution
Weekly
Specialist resource
Nutritious variety green when properly prepared.
Feeding frequency
DailyWeeklyOccasionalNever
Caution
Weekly
OmnivorePlantModerate oxalateNot toxic
The short answer
Nutritious variety green when properly prepared.
Feeding it safely
How much / how often
Weekly
How to prepare
Must be dried, wilted, or briefly blanched to neutralize sting before feeding.
What's inside
Per 100 g of raw stinging nettles (dried or cooked)
481mg
Calcium
HIGH71mg
Phosphorus
6.8:1
Ca:P ratio
Moderate
Oxalate
2.7g
Protein
6.9g
Fiber
Backed by sources
Specialist resourceReptiFiles – Tortoise & Turtle Care Sheets
Cross-referenceKeeper consensus (multiple sources)
Reviewed by basking_research · June 2026
Basking is here to help you learn — it isn't veterinary advice. For anything specific to your animal, talk to a qualified exotic-animal vet.
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