Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, 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 suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that can hold your kitty blissful, wholesome, and feline high quality. Keep tuned for skilled steerage on a spread of matters that matter most to you and your cat, so you may make knowledgeable choices and supply the absolute best care to your furry companion.
Have a question? Send it in here!
Assist! I Have a Sneezy Cat!
“ I’ve seen my cat Penny sneezes often. I haven’t actually been ready to determine the set off but, it’s possibly three sneezes/day on a nasty day, however just one most days. Ought to I be anxious about her being somewhat sneezy?” – Helen
Hello Helen,
There isn’t a should be involved about Penny’s occasional sneezing. Normally, rare sneezing in cats is regular and will be attributed to minor irritants like mud or gentle allergens within the surroundings. Sneezing helps defend the respiratory system by eliminating these small particles. Nevertheless, if Penny’s sneezing turns into extra frequent, or it’s accompanied by different indicators resembling nasal or ocular discharge, coughing, or adjustments in exercise ranges or urge for food, it will be finest to seek the advice of together with your veterinarian as these indicators point out well being issues. Type regards!
Finest needs!
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Cat Loves Licking Plastic Luggage!
“My cat loves licking plastic baggage, typically ones with out meals in them so it isn’t meals that’s drawing her to them. I hold them away from her as finest as I can however she is sort of a moth to a flame and if I ever depart one unattended for a second she finds it. Might this be associated to one thing critical? And the way can I cease her?” – Freddie
Hello Freddie, it isn’t unusual for cats to be hooked up to plastic baggage. It could be the feeling or the sounds, however your cat shouldn’t be the one one. Some cats additionally current this suckling habits the place they “nurse” on their human’s finger or inanimate objects like blankets, clothing, or in your cat’s case, plastics. This habits is commonly noticed in kittens who had been separated from their moms too early and is extra frequent in oriental breeds like Siamese and Burmese, which can have a genetic predisposition to it.
The primary concern together with your cat presenting this habits could 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 manage this behavior, 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 periods, 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 is usually a great strategy to bond with him and present him your affection. Nevertheless, it’s essential to stroke him in the identical route the fur grows. Petting in opposition to the pure lay of the fur may trigger discomfort and should result in tangling or matting, particularly if Bernie has lengthy hair. Most cats choose mild strokes that observe the pure route of their coat.
If you don’t assume that’s the reason for the lengthy grooming periods, it’s essential to remember the fact that many cats have a brief tolerance for getting dealt with and Bernie would possibly simply not recognize the petting as a lot as you desire to or assume. Don’t fear, although, there are many other ways to show Bernie how a lot you like him!
Grooming is a self-soothing behavior for cats, so please hold a detailed eye on him. Attempt to notice if the extra-long grooming periods are solely triggered by your petting or if he’s beginning to develop a compulsive habits attributable to different elements that may be inflicting him stress and nervousness. The primary 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 nicely…overdo it. Good luck!
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola sequence
