Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we deliver 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 mother or father or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From vitamin ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that can maintain your kitty blissful, wholesome, and feline high quality. Keep tuned for skilled steering on a variety of subjects that matter most to you and your cat, so you can also make knowledgeable selections and supply the absolute best care in your furry companion.
Have a question? Send it in here!
Assist! I Am Apprehensive My Cat Could Get Fleas!
“ Are you able to give a suggestion for flea therapies for Persian cats? My cat is usually indoors however generally the neighbor’s outside cat comes round and I fear she is going to get fleas from him” – Flora (Mother to Lola)
Hello Flora,
It’s nice that you simply’re contemplating flea prevention for Lola, particularly given the potential publicity from neighboring outside cats. Even indoor cats could be prone to flea infestations, as fleas can enter houses on clothes or by open home windows.
For Persian cats, with their luxurious lengthy coats, topical treatments are sometimes efficient and easy to use. These therapies sometimes provide safety towards fleas for a month and must be reapplied promptly to take care of their efficacy.
Earlier than initiating any flea remedy, it’s essential to seek the advice of together with your veterinarian. They will present steering tailor-made to Lola’s weight and particular well being wants, making certain the chosen product is each protected and efficient for her.
Greatest needs!
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Cat Doesn’t Like Her Meals!
“We rescued our cat Dolly practically six months in the past and her consuming habits are nonetheless a bit odd. She doesn’t appear to love a lot of what we provide her, and after about one week of success with a meals, she alters her thoughts once more. This occurs with moist and dry meals. What ought to we do? – Stephen
It’s not unusual for rescued cats like Dolly to current behavioral issues, and lots of are very delicate to environmental stimuli. All cats, however particularly rescue cats, are delicate to emphasize, so it’s essential to establish and decrease potential stressors, equivalent to noisy areas, unfamiliar scents, or disruptions of their routine, as these can have an effect on their urge for food. It’s additionally an incredible concept to pay attention to Dolly’s preferences for textures and flavors, equivalent to pâté versus shredded or particular protein sources like hen or fish, and think about providing high-quality, commercially available fresh cat foods.
These choices are sometimes extra interesting as a consequence of their pure style and aroma, and they’re full and balanced to satisfy her dietary wants. You possibly can additionally attempt to entice her urge for food by mixing somewhat little bit of species-appropriate meals into her food plan, equivalent to cat-safe bone broth or small parts of cooked hen, turkey, or fish, which could be extra attractive and nutritious. Cats who eat quite a lot of meals are inclined to adapt higher and are much less susceptible to changing into fixated on a single food plan, which could be useful for his or her long-term well being.
Step by step introduce new meals to keep away from digestive upset and keep a constant feeding schedule in a relaxed, quiet area. If Dolly’s pickiness persists or she exhibits indicators of digestive misery or weight loss, seek the advice of your veterinarian to run some tests and rule out any underlying medical points affecting her urge for food.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Cat Will get Hairballs!
“I’ve learn that cats shouldn’t get hairballs, however it’s usually a stereotype I hear about cats, that they get hairballs. Why is that this? And why achieve this many cats get them in the event that they shouldn’t? My cat Kaley will get them occasionally and I’m feeling a bit responsible once I learn this isn’t regular” – Chris (Dad to Kaley)
Chris, please don’t really feel responsible—simply the truth that you’ve seen Kaley’s hairball issue and are keen to deal with it exhibits how a lot you take care of her, which is actually admirable. Whereas it’s a standard false impression that hairballs are regular for cats, they’re not one thing that ought to happen recurrently. Cats naturally ingest hair whereas grooming, however their digestive techniques are designed to move it by their stool. Hairballs occur when extra hair accumulates within the abdomen and might’t be expelled, usually as a consequence of a food plan missing in moisture or fiber, extreme grooming, and even underlying points like gastrointestinal motility issues. There are a few things you can try. The primary and most useful step for Kaley is to make sure she’s on a high-moisture food plan, equivalent to high-quality moist or contemporary cat meals, as this helps digestion and helps hair transfer easily by her system. You also needs to think about a water fountain. Common brushing to take away unfastened fur and monitoring for stress or potential pores and skin situations that may trigger over-grooming can even make an enormous distinction. If hairballs grow to be frequent otherwise you discover different indicators like vomiting, adjustments in urge for food, or lethargy, consulting your veterinarian is one of the simplest ways to rule out underlying causes and create a administration plan tailor-made for her. You’re already doing a lot simply by being proactive—Kaley is fortunate to have you ever!
Variety regards,
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
