The submit Ask Dr. Paola – Monday December 30, 2024 by Dr. Paola Cuevas MVZ (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over complete articles infringes on copyright legal guidelines. You might not be conscious of it, however all of those articles had been assigned, contracted and paid for, so they don’t seem to be thought of public area. However, we admire that you just just like the article and would like it in case you continued sharing simply the primary paragraph of an article, then linking out to the remainder of the piece on Catster.com.
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 you’re a brand new pet guardian 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 frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that can hold your kitty completely satisfied, wholesome, and feline fantastic. Stay tuned for professional steering on a variety of subjects that matter most to you and your cat, so you may make knowledgeable selections and supply the absolute best care in your furry companion.
Have a query? Send it in right here!
Help! I Am Worried My Cat May Get Fleas!
“ Can you give a recommendation for flea treatments for Persian cats? My cat is mostly indoors but sometimes the neighbor’s outdoor cat comes around and I worry she will get fleas from him” – Flora (Mom to Lola)
Hi Flora,
It’s nice that you just’re contemplating flea prevention for Lola, particularly given the potential publicity from neighboring outside cats. Even indoor cats will be liable to flea infestations, as fleas can enter houses on clothes or by open home windows.
For Persian cats, with their luxurious lengthy coats, topical remedies are sometimes efficient and simple to use. These remedies usually supply safety towards fleas for a month and must be reapplied promptly to take care of their efficacy.
Before initiating any flea therapy, it’s essential to seek the advice of together with your veterinarian. They can present steering tailor-made to Lola’s weight and particular well being wants, guaranteeing the chosen product is each secure and efficient for her.
Best needs!
Dr. Paola
Image Credit: Alexandra Morosanu, Shutterstock
Help! My Cat Doesn’t Like Her Food!
“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 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 lots of are very delicate to environmental stimuli. All cats, however particularly rescue cats, are delicate to emphasize, so it’s necessary to determine and reduce potential stressors, reminiscent of noisy areas, unfamiliar scents, or disruptions of their routine, as these can have an effect on their urge for food. It’s additionally an important concept to be aware of Dolly’s preferences for textures and flavors, reminiscent of pâté versus shredded or particular protein sources like hen or fish, and think about providing high-quality, commercially obtainable recent cat meals.
These choices are sometimes extra interesting attributable to their pure style and aroma, and they’re full and balanced to satisfy her dietary wants. You might additionally attempt to entice her urge for food by mixing a bit of little bit of species-appropriate meals into her food regimen, reminiscent of cat-safe bone broth or small parts of cooked hen, turkey, or fish, which will be extra attractive and nutritious. Cats who eat a wide range of meals are likely to adapt higher and are much less vulnerable to changing into fixated on a single food regimen, which will be helpful for his or her long-term well being.
Gradually introduce new meals to keep away from digestive upset and keep a constant feeding schedule in a relaxed, quiet house. If Dolly’s pickiness persists or she exhibits indicators of digestive misery or weight reduction, seek the advice of your veterinarian to run some exams and rule out any underlying medical points affecting her urge for food.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
Image Credit: JackieLou DL, Pixabay
Help! My Cat Gets Hairballs!
“I have read that cats shouldn’t get hairballs, but it is often a stereotype I hear about cats, that they get hairballs. Why is this? And why do so many cats get them if they shouldn’t? My cat Kaley gets them every so often and I’m feeling a bit guilty when I read this is not normal” – Chris (Dad to Kaley)
Chris, please don’t really feel responsible—simply the truth that you’ve seen Kaley’s hairball concern and are keen to handle it exhibits how a lot you take care of her, which is actually admirable. While it’s a standard false impression that hairballs are regular for cats, they’re not one thing that ought to happen repeatedly. Cats naturally ingest hair whereas grooming, however their digestive techniques are designed to go it by their stool. Hairballs occur when extra hair accumulates within the abdomen and may’t be expelled, typically attributable to a food regimen missing in moisture or fiber, extreme grooming, and even underlying points like gastrointestinal motility issues. There are some things you may strive. The first and most useful step for Kaley is to make sure she’s on a high-moisture food regimen, reminiscent of high-quality moist or recent cat meals, as this helps digestion and helps hair transfer easily by her system. You must also think about a water fountain. Regular brushing to take away unfastened fur and monitoring for stress or potential pores and skin circumstances which may trigger over-grooming may also make an enormous distinction. If hairballs develop into 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!
Kind regards,
Dr. Paola
This article is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
- Read final week’s questions right here – Monday December 23, 2024
- Click right here to submit a query
The submit Ask Dr. Paola – Monday December 30, 2024 by Dr. Paola Cuevas MVZ (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over complete articles infringes on copyright legal guidelines. You might not be conscious of it, however all of those articles had been assigned, contracted and paid for, so they don’t seem to be thought of public area. However, we admire that you just just like the article and would like it in case you continued sharing simply the primary paragraph of an article, then linking out to the remainder of the piece on Catster.com.
