Veterinarian answers questions about pets: how to care for a turtle's nails.

According to The Sun: HE aims to help our pets . . . and is ready to answer YOUR questions.

Sean, the chief veterinarian at a company specializing in pet diets, tails.com, has been helping owners for ten years.

Sean McCormack, chief veterinarian of tails.com, promises he can "help keep pets happy and healthy" GettyThis week, Sean helps a reader whose turtle Bob has long nails.

Question from a reader

Q: I AM WORRIED that Bob's nails may become too long.

Should this be treated by a veterinarian, or can I trim them myself?

Bob is 35 years old, he is in excellent health and is a family pet.

SHARON DOGERTY, Battersea, London

A: Sean answers: The best thing would be to take Bob to a veterinarian first.

They will show you exactly how to do it and check Bob’s health condition. Seek a veterinarian who specializes in reptiles.

Nail care can be done at home, but the main risk during trimming is damaging the sensitive part of the nail or a blood vessel.

Your veterinarian will teach you how to avoid these dangers.

Why haven’t the nails been trimmed for so long? Does Bob have enough opportunities to walk outside? Is his diet okay?

These factors can affect the health of the shell and nails.

Moreover, 35 years is already middle age for a turtle, depending on the species.

Helpful care tips can be found on the websites of Tortoise Trust and British Chelonia Group.

Other questions

Q: My cat is really cold towards her dad, Paul.

Tia ignores him and is in a bad mood. How can I deal with this?

BRIAN BURTON, Newcastle

Sean answers: The main thing is not to demand interaction from her and let her play in her "hiding spot."

Perhaps, Tia will never love Paul, and that's okay. But my advice for both of you is to ignore her when he is around, without eye contact or petting, as if she isn’t there.

Paul should have some hidden treats for Tia.

I mean “super tasty ones that are impossible not to love.”

But it’s important that he doesn’t offer them directly. She is invisible, remember?

Always leave treats near her and go about your business as if it hasn’t happened.

Tia may start to consider Paul her best friend and try to emulate him. Don’t force her, just encourage her to form a friendship with a little help from tasty treats.

Q: When I take care of my daughter Ruby's dog, a fox comes into my garden.

The fox previously tried to attack her. What can I do?

ALFIE CUNNINGHAM, Dagenham, Essex

Sean answers: I don’t doubt your caution, Alfie, but I would question whether the fox actually tried to attack the dog or was simply curious, protective, or even playful.

Many cases on social media show that fox behavior towards pets is often misinterpreted.

If Ruby is not very small or a young puppy, I don’t think she is in danger from the fox.

Our gardens are actually home to foxes and other animals in a continuously urbanized environment.

So I believe we can live together. And if Ruby uses the garden, it should be supervised.

Q: MY cat Marmalade scratches everything and everyone: the sofa, the carpet . . . even me.

He ignores his scratch post. How can I stop this destructive behavior?

KETI GREEN, Liskeard, Cornwall

Sean answers: You definitely need more than one scratch post.

Sometimes a post may not attract his attention because it is placed incorrectly.

Or it is in a high traffic area of the house.

Several scratching posts that contain catnip may distract Marmalade from the furniture.

You also need to remove his favorite spots.

Temporarily change the surface of these areas.

For the carpet, put plastic or cardboard.

For the furniture, try wrapping them in cling film or foil.

Cats are very selective about the surfaces they scratch.

Thus, changing the material for a few weeks may simply break this habit.

Star of the week

SuppliedDog Ted, co-star of the BBC show Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, will meet his fans next week at the London Pet Show.

Television producer Lisa Clark, co-author of Ted's new book, noted that everyone knows who the "real star" of the popular show is – a Patterdale terrier with his distinctive chin.

She said: "Ted is ready to meet the public."

"He has a paw ready to sign his books and is getting ready to share all his showbiz secrets with fans."

• “Pup Fiction: An Epic Tale with Ted the Dog” (Ebury Spotlight, £16.99) will be released on September 25. londonpetshowlive.com will take place at Kensington Olympia on September 20 and 21.

Win: DFS Plush Pet Sofa worth £359

DFS Plush Pet Sofa is ideal luxury for your pets.

DFS is offering one reader the chance to win a Plush Medium Pet Sofa in dark blue velvet worth £359, which is sure to please your furry friend.

To enter, send an email with the subject DFS to [email protected].

Additional terms may apply.

See the range at: dfs.co.uk/home-accessories/pet-sofas

SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH BREED DOGS

Getty80 percent of small dogs show signs of dental disease by the age of three.

Impressively, 80 percent of small dogs show signs of dental problems by the age of three, research shows.

Veterinary expert Dr. Berkan Yanar warns that periodontal disease is one of the most common medical problems in young dogs.

Small breeds, such as Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, and Yorkies, are at the highest risk due to their narrow jaws.

Dr. Yanar on behalf of bubblegumsearch.com stated: “Owners should watch for bad breath, gum inflammation, and changes in eating habits.

If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to pain, tooth loss, and infections of the heart, liver, and kidneys.”

Owners should brush their dogs' teeth daily.

Even brushing three to four times a week slows down plaque growth.

Use toothpaste specifically designed for dogs, as human toothpastes often contain fluoride or xylitol, which are toxic to animals.

Dogs with gingivitis or other periodontal diseases require professional cleaning under anesthesia.

Seek advice from your veterinarian.

Dr. Yanar added: “Anesthesia and monitoring make professional cleaning very safe.

“Many dogs show remarkable improvements in energy afterward, demonstrating the connection between oral health and overall health.”

Text has become more natural and understandable without unnecessary formalities. All questions have been preserved in their original form, and the document structure looks logical. The summary plays a key role in perceiving the news about the importance of caring for pets, highlighting why owners should pay attention to their pets' health.