Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we deliver professional 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 dad or mum 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 preserve your kitty joyful, wholesome, and feline tremendous. Keep tuned for professional steerage on a variety of matters that matter most to you and your cat, so you can also make knowledgeable choices and supply the absolute best care to your furry companion. ‎

Have‎ a ‎query? Ship it in right here!

Assist! I Have a Sneezy Cat!

“ I’ve observed my cat Penny sneezes often. I haven’t actually been ready to determine the set off but, it’s perhaps three sneezes/day on a foul day, however just one most days. Ought to I be anxious about her being a bit of sneezy?” – Helen

Hello Helen,

There is no such thing as a have to be involved about Penny’s occasional sneezing. Generally, rare sneezing in cats is regular and might be attributed to minor irritants like mud or delicate allergens within the surroundings. Sneezing helps shield the respiratory system by eliminating these small particles. Nevertheless, if Penny’s sneezing turns into extra frequent, or it’s accompanied by different indicators comparable to nasal or ocular discharge, coughing, or adjustments in exercise ranges or urge for food, it could be finest to seek the advice of along with your veterinarian as these indicators point out well being considerations. Sort regards!

Finest needs!
Dr. Paola

Assist! My Cat Loves Licking Plastic Luggage!

“My cat loves licking plastic baggage, usually ones with out meals in them so it isn’t meals that’s drawing her to them. I preserve them away from her as finest as I can however she is sort of a moth to a flame and if I ever go away one unattended for a second she finds it. May this be associated to one thing critical? And the way can I cease her?”  – Freddie

Hello Freddie, it’s not unusual for cats to be connected to plastic baggage. It could be the feeling or the sounds, however your cat is just not the one one. Some cats additionally current this suckling conduct the place they “nurse” on their human’s finger or inanimate objects like blankets, clothes, or in your cat’s case, plastics. This conduct is usually noticed in kittens who have been separated from their moms too early and is extra widespread in oriental breeds like Siamese and Burmese, which can have a genetic predisposition to it.

The principle concern along with your cat presenting this conduct can be the danger of asphyxiation or choking and the potential ingestion of the plastic baggage, which could result in harmful obstructions that require emergency surgical procedure. To handle this conduct, present different actions like interactive toys to redirect their focus. Additionally, you will have to proceed doing all of your finest to maintain the plastic bag out of her attain to keep away from pointless dangers.

Sincerely,
Dr. Paola

Assist! My Cat is a Clear Freak!

“Bernie has began giving himself extra-long grooming classes, particularly after I pet him. Is that this him being a clear freak, or does he simply assume I’m messing up his fur-care routine?” – Tyler

Hey Tyler, petting Bernie generally is a fantastic technique to bond with him and present him your affection. Nevertheless, it’s necessary to stroke him in the identical course the fur grows. Petting in opposition to the pure lay of the fur might trigger discomfort and should result in tangling or matting, particularly if Bernie has lengthy hair. Most cats want light strokes that observe the pure course of their coat.

If you don’t assume that’s the reason for the lengthy grooming classes, you have to needless to say many cats have a brief tolerance for getting dealt with and Bernie may simply not respect the petting as a lot as you desire to or assume. Don’t fear, although, there are various different methods to indicate Bernie how a lot you like him!

Grooming is a self-soothing conduct for cats, so please preserve an in depth eye on him. Attempt to be aware if the extra-long grooming classes are solely triggered by your petting or if he’s beginning to develop a compulsive conduct as a consequence of different elements that is likely to be inflicting him stress and nervousness. The principle factor right here is that you don’t want this to show right into a behavior after which a compulsion as a result of cats can find yourself with infected pores and skin that results in infections and even alopecia. Overgrooming is the time period we use to explain when cats effectively…overdo it. Good luck!