Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, 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 father or mother or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer 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 may preserve your kitty pleased, wholesome, and feline wonderful. Keep tuned for professional steerage on a spread of subjects that matter most to you and your cat, so you can also make knowledgeable choices and supply the very best care to your furry companion.
Have a question? Send it in here!
Assist! I Have a Sneezy Cat!
“ I’ve observed my cat Penny sneezes often. I haven’t actually been in a position to determine the set off but, it’s possibly three sneezes/day on a foul day, however just one most days. Ought to I be frightened about her being slightly sneezy?” – Helen
Hello Helen,
There isn’t any must be involved about Penny’s occasional sneezing. Typically, rare sneezing in cats is regular and could be attributed to minor irritants like mud or gentle allergens within the atmosphere. 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 corresponding to nasal or ocular discharge, coughing, or adjustments in exercise ranges or urge for food, it could be greatest to seek the advice of together with your veterinarian as these indicators point out well being considerations. Form regards!
Finest needs!
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Cat Loves Licking Plastic Luggage!
“My cat loves licking plastic luggage, 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 greatest 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. May this be associated to one thing severe? And the way can I cease her?” – Freddie
Hello Freddie, it’s not unusual for cats to be hooked up to plastic luggage. It might be the feeling or the sounds, however your cat isn’t the one one. Some cats additionally current this suckling conduct the place they “nurse” on their human’s finger or inanimate objects like blankets, clothing, 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 primary concern together with your cat presenting this conduct can be the danger of asphyxiation or choking and the potential ingestion of the plastic luggage, which could result in harmful obstructions that require emergency surgical procedure. To manage this behavior, present various actions like interactive toys to redirect their focus. Additionally, you will have to proceed doing all of your greatest 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 is usually a fantastic approach to bond with him and present him your affection. Nevertheless, it’s essential to stroke him in the identical path 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 want light strokes that comply with the pure path of their coat.
If you don’t assume that’s the reason for the lengthy grooming classes, you need to take into account that many cats have a brief tolerance for getting dealt with and Bernie would possibly simply not respect 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’re keen on him!
Grooming is a self-soothing behavior for cats, so please preserve an in depth eye on him. Attempt to notice 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 primary factor right here is that you do not need 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!
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
