Can a turtle pee on you? (Is it possible?)
Yes, turtles can urinate on us but not because they want to get rid of their waste products.
Instead, turtles have bladder problems which cause them to relieve themselves by releasing fluids directly onto their skin.
When turtles need more room inside their bladders, the best way to help them is by giving them something else to chew on.
This means providing them with food items that will keep them occupied while they wait for everything to return back to normal.
Turtle owners should also avoid putting too much pressure on their bladders as this may lead to other issues such as constipation.
The same goes for preventing yourself from drinking large amounts of liquids before going to bed at night since this can be very stressful on the digestive system.
While there isn’t any specific reason why a turtle would choose to pee on its owner, here are some things to consider if your pet decides to use you as a wahsroom!
If you plan on keeping your turtle as a pet, then you’ll probably want to give him/her plenty of space to roam around in.
If you live in an area where temperatures drop below freezing during the winter, then ensure that you provide adequate shelter for your animal.
Also, remember to check the temperature outside each day to determine whether he needs extra warmth.
Turtles aren’t able to regulate their own body heat properly due to their lack of sweat glands and fur.
So, if you live somewhere cold, you might want to invest in a heating pad.
There are many different species of freshwater turtles including common snapping shrimp, mudbugs, muskrats, pond skimmers, soft-shell turtles, painted turtles, box turtles, tortoiseshells, map turtles, and red eared sliders among others.
Each type is unique in appearance and behavior.
As a result, you will need to do further research about the particular type of turtle you decide to bring home.
For example, the red ear slider is known for using people like toilet seats because they often try to escape unsupervised outdoors.
To prevent this scenario, always watch your turtle closely whenever you leave it alone outdoors.
It’s important to note that if you find your pet trying to climb up on furniture or walls, this could indicate that it suffers from shell rot disease.
In cases like this, call your vet immediately to schedule an appointment.
Why do turtles pee on me?
Now that we know exactly what causes turtles to relieve themselves on their human caregivers, let’s talk about why they do it in the first place.
There are several theories why.
One theory claims that turtles feel threatened when approached by another animal or person.
Another says that turtles mistake bodily functions between themselves and fish.
Still another states that turtles confuse their genitals with those of snakes.
A final explanation suggests that turtles believe that they are unable to move away from the source of the liquid they see coming from their bodies.
Regardless of what you think the exact reasoning is, it doesn’t change the fact that turtles enjoy relieving themselves on you.
They shouldn’t be blamed for doing so — they’re simply following nature’s blueprint.
Is turtle pee harmful to humans?
Not really, no. While it’s true that turtle urine contains ammonia, which is toxic to dogs and cats, it poses little threat to humans.
Ammonia levels in turtle urine typically range between 1,000 – 2,500 parts per million (ppm).
Compared to household cleaners, which contain concentrations ranging between 0 ppm and 100 ppm, this number seems low.
However, the amount of ammonia in turtle urine decreases significantly once it leaves the turtle’s mouth.
As far as chemicals go, turtle urine only contains traces of urea, methylene glycol, creatinine, calcium hydroxide, sodium chloride, potassium salts, magnesium sulfate, sodium bicarbonate, and zinc.
These compounds pose minimal risk to health unless consumed in high quantities.
The bottom line is that turtles pee on us because they need relief from discomfort.
By taking care of your pet’s environment and ensuring that it gets regular exercise, you won’t ever have to worry about your pet relieving itself on you again.
Turtles and stress
One thing to keep in mind regarding turtle pee is that the reptiles experience stress differently than us mammals.
Unlike us, turtles cannot control their heart rate nor do they possess sweat glands.
Therefore, they rely heavily upon their kidneys and liver to process excess salt and glucose.
When turtles become stressed, they start secreting adrenaline, a hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar.
Since this chemical tells the organs to produce energy faster, the turtle’s digestion slows down.
Thus, when under extreme conditions, turtles tend to eat less food to conserve energy. T
hat said, this strategy helps protect them against predators.
Unfortunately, it also results in dehydration and malnutrition.
To combat this issue, you can offer your pet lots of fresh air and opportunities to engage in activities that promote relaxation such as swimming or playing hide-and-seek.
Additionally, you should feed your turtle foods rich in vitamins B1 and B2. Vitamin B1 promotes healthy vision, circulation, metabolism, growth, reproduction, and nervous function.
Finally, vitamin B2 protects cells from damage and assists in producing energy.
How to make your turtle happy
Once you understand exactly why your turtle wants to relieve itself on you, you now have the power to control the situation.
Now the real work begins.
You can either allow your turtle to continue relieving itself wherever it chooses or you can relocate your pet to a safe spot until it becomes accustomed to living indoors.
Either option requires patience and consistency.
For instance, if you opt to let your turtle relax outdoors, make sure that you set up a designated “pee” zone near your house entrance.
Whenever it feels the urge to relieve itself, your turtle will eventually associate this activity with the location.
Once this happens, your pet will begin relieving itself within its territory.
On the other hand, if you elect to keep your turtle indoors, you must create a warm, dry enclosure free from drafts.
Ideally, you should maintain humidity levels between 40% and 75%.
Additionally, you should provide your pet with clean sand or substrate that meets local standards for reptile housing.
Lastly, you should never remove your turtle from its habitat overnight as this will trigger unnecessary anxiety.
Remember that turtles spend nearly half of every 24 hour cycle resting.
During this time, they usually sleep in dark places and remain inactive.
Unless it’s necessary, do not disturb your pet while sleeping.
Most importantly, never force your turtle to exert physical movement since this can upset its natural state.
Doing so can increase stress levels leading to excessive eating and urinating.
With proper management, you can teach your turtle to relieve itself outside of its comfort zone.
Afterward, you can introduce your new friend to socialization procedures.
Start off slowly by introducing your turtle to various environments.
Eventually, you can transfer your pet to an indoor setting where it can interact with you freely.
Your turtle will soon realize that you are the perfect host for both recreational and biological purposes.
