Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we convey skilled recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their cat’s well being and well-being.

Whether or not you’re a brand new pet father or mother or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may maintain your kitty joyful, wholesome, and feline tremendous. Keep tuned for skilled steerage on a variety of matters that matter most to you and your cat, so you may make knowledgeable selections and supply the absolute best care to your furry companion. ‎

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Assist! My Cat Has Extreme Zoomies!

“ I do know that every one cats get the zoomies, however my cat Hera’s zoomies are beginning to really feel extreme. She is 14 and nonetheless has them 4-5 instances/day, with out catnip! Is there such a factor as too many zoomies? ” – Percy

Frenetic random exercise intervals (FRAP), mostly often known as “the zoomies”, is a pure conduct exhibited by most cats. Nevertheless, if the conduct is occurring too typically we don’t think about it to be regular. This conduct can sign Hera is feeling harassed or annoyed and chances are high she wants extra psychological and bodily stimulation. Indoor cats have to be supplied with a number of alternatives to outlet their vitality. This implies including some climbing choices and vertical areas, offering them with puzzle feeders, quite a lot of toys in a rotation, and even a operating wheel. Enjoying together with your cat at the least 2 or 3 instances a day to make sure they transfer round and launch their vitality is essential. Should you already do that utilizing a laser pointer, this would possibly really be the explanation behind Hera’s frequent FRAPing or zoomies.

Whereas laser pointers are nice instruments to get cats going, they will additionally trigger an unimaginable quantity of frustration in cats as this mild appeals to their predatory instincts, nonetheless, they by no means enable them to make a profitable catch. In different phrases, they by no means win. There are specific laser pointer guidelines to comply with that may assist. Toss her a toy in order that she will efficiently paw and chunk one thing tangible on the identical time you flip the pointer off. Observe this with a yummy deal with and even dinner, this enables her to finish her “looking cycle” as a substitute of leaving her hanging up.

Offering Hera with a chilled surroundings utilizing artificial pheromones and a number of other secure hiding alternatives can even assist scale back her stress. These are just a few choices to think about, the final concept is to let her have wholesome vitality shops and likewise present her with a stress-free surroundings.

Greatest needs!
Dr. Paola

Assist! I Suppose My Cat Can See Ghosts!

“Can cats see ghosts? My cat stares on the wall on a regular basis as if somebody is there however there isn’t. What ought to I do right here?”
” – Daniela

There are a couple of attainable explanation why cats may be watching a wall. Their senses are totally different from ours, they will hear noises we will’t as a result of frequency vary and may additionally be smelling one thing you can’t detect. In lots of instances, these are small animals hiding behind the partitions. A cat would look and also you would possibly see their ears shifting to comply with the noise’s origin.

You didn’t point out the age but when your cat is a senior, senile dementia or age-related cognitive dysfunction is a risk. Different prospects embody neurological issues equivalent to partial or focal seizures. Should you assume this may be the case, be accustomed to different indicators and document as a lot details about it as attainable together with, when it occurs, after what exercise, how typically, at what time, and many others, if attainable document a video. The extra data you possibly can convey to your vet, the higher probabilities of a profitable prognosis; though a definitive prognosis would want an electroencephalogram (EEG). These are the medical prospects, and though many swear that cats have supernatural powers and may see ghosts, we now have no dependable proof to show that.

Sincerely,
Dr. Paola

Assist! We Need to Go On Vacation!

“My associate and I are pondering of happening a two-week vacation subsequent 12 months however we’ve by no means left our 3-year-old cat Jackson for greater than 2 days earlier than. We’re pondering of placing him right into a cattery, however then additionally assume a home sitter may be a greater different. How can we resolve what’s greatest for him?” – Gemma

Hello Gemma.

Cats are creatures of behavior, they’re solitary and territorial by nature. Their houses are their acquainted territory. They spend time daily guaranteeing every bit of it’s marked with their scent from facial pheromones, which give them a way of familiarity or belonging and make them really feel safe. Shifting them to a very totally different space with many different cats is oftentimes nerve-racking for them. In case you have the likelihood, I might suggest you go for the home sitter. Then, not solely will Jackson be cared for, however your house will likely be too. I do know that paying for a non-public sitter can get costly, however there are some wonderful companies on the market the place you purchase a yearly membership to the neighborhood, after which the home sitting is a free alternate based mostly on belief! Then, you possibly can take pleasure in your vacation extra figuring out that Jackson is snug.

Better of luck, and luxuriate in your vacation!
Dr. Paola