From a tortoise with long nails to a stand-offish cat – your pet queries answered

HE is on a mission to help our pets  . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions.

Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm tails.com, has helped with owners’ queries for ten years.

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Q: I WORRY that my tortoise Bob’s nails might be getting too long.

Does this need a trip to the vet or can I do a light trim or file myself?

Bob is 35, is in great health and a much loved family pet.

SHARON DOUGHERTY, Battersea, London

A: Sean says: It’s probably best to go to your vet for the first time.

They can show you exactly what to do and give Bob a check over too. Seek out a reptile savvy vet.

Nail care can be done at home, but the main risk if cutting them is injury to the sensitive nail bed or cutting a blood vessel.

Your vet can show you how to avoid these hazards.

Why are they becoming overgrown in the first place?

Does Bob have enough outdoor access for example? Is his diet OK?

These can contribute to poor shell and nail health.

Also, 35 years old is nearing early middle age for a tortoise, depending on species.

There is great care advice on the Tortoise Trust and British Chelonia Group websites.

Q: MY cat is really stand-offish with my father-in-law Paul.

Tia gives him the cold shoulder and sulks. How can I thaw her frostiness?

BRYAN BURTON, Newcastle

Sean says: The key is playing hard to get and not forcing interaction.

It may be that Tia never warms to Paul and that is just fine.

But my advice for you both is to ignore Tia completely whenever he is around, no eye contact, no strokes, pretending she isn’t there.

Paul needs a secret stash of Tia’s favourite treats.

I’m talking about “totally delicious, can’t resist” treats.

Now, importantly, he’s not allowed to offer them to her directly. She’s invisible, remember.

But he’s to casually drop them near her now and again and go about his business pretending it didn’t happen.

Tia will come to see Paul as the best thing since tinned tuna, and follow him.

Never force it, only encourage her to form a friendship herself, with a little help from tasty bribery.

Q: EVERY time I look after my daughter’s dog Ruby a rogue fox comes into my garden.

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

ALFIE CUNNINGHAM, Dagenham, Essex

Sean says: Not doubting you here Alfie but I’d question whether the fox actually tried to attack a dog, or was just curious, defensive or even playful.

I’ve seen countless times on social media, in particular, fox behaviour around pets completely misunderstood.

Unless Ruby is a tiny breed or very young puppy I don’t think she is in any danger from a fox.

Our gardens are actually homes to foxes and other wildlife’ in an ever urbanised world.

So I say live and let live.

And if Ruby is using the garden it should be under supervision only.

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

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

CATHY GREEN, Liskeard, Cornwall

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

Sometimes a post can be ignored because it’s facing the wrong way.

Or it’s in a high traffic area of the home.

Multiple scratch posts scented with catnip will tempt Marmalade away from the furniture.

You also need to discourage him from his favourite locations.

For a temporary period change the surface of these areas.

For carpet you could lay some plastic sheeting or cardboard down.

For furniture, try wrapping it in cling film or tin foil.

Cats are very particular about the surface they scratch.

So breaking the cycle by changing that for a few weeks might just bust the habit.

Star of the week

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TED the dog, the co-star of BBC hit show Mortimer And Whitehouse Gone Fishing will be meeting his fans next week at the London Pet Show Live.

TV producer Lisa Clark, co-author of Ted’s new book, will join him – and joked everyone knows who the “real star” of the hit TV series is – the Patterdale Terrier and his trademark underbite.

She said: “Ted is looking forward to meeting his public.

“He has his paw ready for signing his books and is preparing to spill all his showbiz secrets to his fans.”

• Pup Fiction: An Epic Journey With Gone Fishing by Ted the Dog (Ebury Spotlight, £16.99) is out on September 25. londonpetshowlive.com is at Kensington Olympia on September 20 and 21.

TAKE LEAD ON SMALL DOG DENTAL DISEASE

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A SHOCKING 80 per cent of small dogs show signs of dental disease before they are three, research reveals.

Pet dental expert Dr. Berkcan Yanar warned periodontal disease is one of the most common health issues in young canines.

Small breeds, such as Chihuahuas, Dachshunds and Yorkies are particularly at risk due to crowded teeth.

Dr. Yanar, on behalf of bubblegumsearch.com, said: “Owners should watch out for bad breath, inflamed gums and changes in eating habits.

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

Owners should brush their dog’s teeth daily.

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

Use toothpaste specifically for dogs, as human toothpaste often contains fluoride or xylitol, which are toxic to pets.

Dogs with gingivitis or other periodontal disease require professional cleaning under anaesthetic.

Seek advice from your vet.

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

“Many dogs show remarkable improvements in energy afterwards, proving the link between oral and overall health.”