Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we convey 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 mum or dad 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 may hold your kitty completely satisfied, wholesome, and feline wonderful. Keep tuned for professional 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 to your furry companion.
Have a question? Send it in here!
Assist! I Am Anxious My Cat Might Get Fleas!
“ Are you able to give a advice for flea remedies for Persian cats? My cat is usually indoors however generally the neighbor’s outside cat comes round and I fear she’s 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 might be liable to flea infestations, as fleas can enter houses on clothes or via open home windows.
For Persian cats, with their luxurious lengthy coats, topical treatments are sometimes efficient and simple to use. These remedies sometimes provide safety in opposition to fleas for a month and ought to 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’ll present steering tailor-made to Lola’s weight and particular well being wants, making certain the chosen product is each secure and efficient for her.
Greatest needs!
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Cat Doesn’t Like Her Meals!
“We rescued our cat Dolly almost 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 modifies 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 plenty of are very delicate to environmental stimuli. All cats, however particularly rescue cats, are delicate to emphasize, so it’s necessary to determine and decrease potential stressors, corresponding to noisy areas, unfamiliar scents, or disruptions of their routine, as these can have an effect on their urge for food. It’s additionally a fantastic thought to be aware of Dolly’s preferences for textures and flavors, corresponding to pâté versus shredded or particular protein sources like hen or fish, and contemplate providing high-quality, commercially available fresh cat foods.
These choices are sometimes extra interesting resulting from their pure style and aroma, and they’re full and balanced to satisfy her dietary wants. You can additionally attempt to entice her urge for food by mixing somewhat little bit of species-appropriate meals into her weight-reduction plan, corresponding to cat-safe bone broth or small parts of cooked hen, turkey, or fish, which might be extra attractive and nutritious. Cats who eat quite a lot of meals are inclined to adapt higher and are much less liable to turning into fixated on a single weight-reduction plan, which might be helpful for his or her long-term well being.
Regularly introduce new meals to keep away from digestive upset and keep a constant feeding schedule in a peaceful, quiet house. If Dolly’s pickiness persists or she reveals 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 typically a stereotype I hear about cats, that they get hairballs. Why is that this? And why accomplish that many cats get them in the event that they shouldn’t? My cat Kaley will get them on occasion 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 observed Kaley’s hairball issue and are prepared to deal with it reveals how a lot you take care of her, which is actually admirable. Whereas it’s a typical false impression that hairballs are regular for cats, they’re not one thing that ought to happen commonly. Cats naturally ingest hair whereas grooming, however their digestive techniques are designed to move it via their stool. Hairballs occur when extra hair accumulates within the abdomen and might’t be expelled, typically resulting from a weight-reduction 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 weight-reduction plan, corresponding to high-quality moist or contemporary cat meals, as this helps digestion and helps hair transfer easily via her system. You also needs to contemplate a water fountain. Common brushing to take away free fur and monitoring for stress or potential pores and skin situations that may trigger over-grooming can even make an enormous distinction. If hairballs turn into frequent otherwise you discover different indicators like vomiting, adjustments in urge for food, or lethargy, consulting your veterinarian is one of the best 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!
Sort regards,
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola sequence
