Growing up I had a turtle as a kid and to round out exotic pets week, I thought it would be cool if we went over a few signs that your pet turtle is getting the care it needs. Maybe it’s from growing up in an era in which the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (or TMNT as they were called) ruled the world with three movies and a very popular cartoon series, but if you ask any child of the 80’s they would probably all say they had or at least wanted a turtle of their very own. Recently I was shocked to find that the ninjas on a half shell were still kicking and had even released a new animated movie, so I figured it might be good to go over what to look for in a turtle just in case they became popular again.

The most important factor in keeping a healthy turtle (or any water based pet for that matter) is making sure the water is kept clean. Dirty water could contain harmful bacteria and cause several severe health problems for your pet. If there is concern that the turtle is having some issues, check the water filter and make sure it’s doing it’s job. If the water is clear and the filter is clean, it could mean the turtle is constipated.

Nothing is more important to a turtle’s wellbeing than the condition of it’s shell. For a turtle the shell is it’s main defense against preditors, a portable home always giving them comfort, and offers many other benefits. It’s a good idea to occasionally inspect your turtle’s shell and look for any peeling or softness. Skin fungus is fairly common in turtles and if the shedding continues over a period of time, you may want to check with your vet to make sure everything is ok.

You may find it hard to believe but turtles may show symptoms of a cold. While sneezing may be something as simple as a reaction to water up it’s nose, if it becomes continuous or develops into a cough your turtle may have a form of pneumonia.Like most pets, turtles require attention on a regular basis. Occasionally make note of what’s going with the pet and check for any symptoms that might be hinting at a larger issue. As always if you think your pet is experiencing health problems the best thing to do is contact your vet and make an appointment as soon as you can.