Step 1:
Select a healthy, legal pet turtle. In the U.S., it is illegal to sell a turtle less than 4 inches long, so measure to be certain you're not getting a baby. Search for signs of illness: Look for swollen or cloudy eyes, mucous around the nasal area or mouth, and runny excrement in the tank. A soft shell can be an indication of poor health, as can listlessness and lack of appetite.
Step 2:
Meet your Red Eared Slider's nutritional needs. All Sliders need a combination of vitamins, animal protein, commercial foods and plant matter. Juvenile pet turtles eat daily, and require more animal protein than adults, which eat every two or three days and require extra plant matter. Remove uneaten food from the tank promptly, as rotting food can make your Red Eared Slider ill.
Step 3:
Provide the right habitat. You will need a heated aquarium with enough water to swim, as well as a large, dry area for your new pet turtle to rest. The dry section should be smooth, rather than a rough rock, to keep the turtle from getting scratches that could possibly allow infection to set in. Pet turtles grow quickly, so buy a large enough aquarium to accommodate such growth. Even a very small turtle needs a 30 to 50 gallon tank for optimum health.
Step 4:
Handle your turtle with care. Pet turtles often carry bacterial and parasitic infections and they can transfer these to people. To keep bacteria to a minimum, clean the tank daily under adult supervision. Be prepared for the task. Teach your child to wash hands thoroughly after every encounter with the new Red Eared Slider or its habitat.