The publish Ask Dr. Paola – Monday March 3, 2025 by Dr. Paola Cuevas MVZ (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over whole articles infringes on copyright legal guidelines. You is probably not conscious of it, however all of those articles have been assigned, contracted and paid for, so they don’t seem to be thought-about public area. However, we respect that you just just like the article and would find it irresistible when 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 carry skilled 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 mother or father or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From vitamin suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that may hold your kitty completely happy, wholesome, and feline wonderful. Stay tuned for skilled steering on a variety of matters that matter most to you and your cat, so you can also make knowledgeable selections and supply the absolute best care on your furry companion.
Have a query? Send it in right here!
Help! My Cat Loves Milk!
“Dear Dr. Paola,
I’ve a male cat referred to as Sasja, 2½ years previous. He likes milk very a lot. Is giving cats milk, even in small portions, at all times dangerous to cats?” – Christian
Dear Christian,
It’s beautiful to listen to about Sasja’s fondness for milk, however sadly, milk isn’t your best option for many grownup cats. While kittens produce sufficient lactase—the enzyme wanted to interrupt down lactose in milk—this capacity typically declines as they develop. Many grownup cats wrestle to digest dairy correctly, like people with lactose intolerance. Even small quantities can result in digestive upset, inflicting unfastened stools, gasoline, or abdomen discomfort.
If Sasja enjoys the style of milk, you may contemplate lactose-free cat milk, which is particularly formulated to be secure for feline digestion. Alternatively, if he merely enjoys the routine of a particular deal with, you may provide small quantities of water-diluted goat milk or a cat-friendly broth as an alternative. This means, he can nonetheless have a comforting deal with with out the potential tummy troubles.
Kind regards and finest needs,
Dr. Paola
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Help! I Need Introduction Tips!
“Hi Dr. Paola,
I introduced an 8-week-old kitten house and we even have two 12-year-old cats in the home. What are your finest introduction suggestions and the way do we all know when it’s secure to allow them to work together freely? Thank you so very a lot!” – Chad
Hi Chad. Bringing a brand new kitten into a house with senior cats requires endurance and a considerate introduction course of to make sure a easy transition. The finest recommendation I can provide you is to not rush it. Cats are territorial, and sudden introductions can create stress and stress. Instead of dashing, give your older cats time to regulate by establishing a separate area for the kitten, full with meals, water, a litter field, and secure hiding spots. This permits your resident cats to develop into aware of the kitten’s scent with out feeling instantly threatened. It additionally permits the kitten to settle into the brand new setting and really feel extra calm and safe.
You can pace up scent change by swapping bedding between them and utilizing a comfortable material to rub one cat, after which the opposite, so they begin associating one another’s scent with one thing acquainted.
Once the scent introduction section goes easily, permit transient, supervised visible conferences by way of a child gate or cracked door. During these first introductions, it’s clue to observe their physique language intently. Signs like flattened ears, raised fur, hissing, or growling point out unease or stress, whereas relaxed postures and curiosity recommend they’re adjusting properly. If you see indicators of constructive physique language, go forward and provides them a yummy deal with; don’t give one if stress is within the air. If issues are going properly you may regularly progress to quick, supervised interactions in a impartial area, and proceed utilizing constructive reinforcement similar to treats or mild reward to create constructive associations. It is essential to provide them time and keep away from forcing interactions. You should additionally guarantee your senior cats have secure escape routes in the event that they really feel overwhelmed.
I cannot stress sufficient the significance of commentary; you’ll understand it’s secure to allow them to work together freely when their encounters stay calm—which means no aggressive chasing, swatting with claws prolonged, or extended growling. Some hissing or transient corrections from the older cats are regular as they set up boundaries, nevertheless it shouldn’t escalate into extended hostility.
Keep in thoughts that since your older cat is prone to have totally different power ranges than the kitten, you could guarantee they’ve excessive perches or quiet retreat areas the place they will loosen up undisturbed. With endurance and cautious monitoring, most cats alter over time, nevertheless it’s at all times vital to go at their tempo, give them some non-public area, and do the work to bolster constructive associations with a purpose to preserve a harmonious family.
I want you good luck,
Dr. Paola
Image Credit: Anna Hoychuk, Shutterstock
Help! My Cat Appears to Be Humping?
“My 13.5-year-old neutered cat, Tuffy, has developed an unusual habit over the past few years. When kneading a soft microfiber blanket, he gradually enters a trance-like state and begins rhythmic movements resembling humping, though no direct contact or fluid discharge occurs. He stops either on his own or when gently interrupted, after which he immediately licks himself, seemingly to reduce discomfort rather than for further stimulation. No medical issues have been found during regular veterinary consultations. Tuffy has been well-socialized with other cats and remains active and healthy. Could this be a self-soothing behavior, a learned habit, or something else entirely?” – Ben
Hi Ben!
Tuffy’s habits, whereas uncommon, shouldn’t be fully unusual in neutered male cats. Kneading is a deeply ingrained kitten habits related to nursing, and lots of cats proceed doing it into maturity as a self-soothing mechanism. The trance-like state suggests he’s extremely targeted and relaxed, very like how some cats suckle on material or toys. The humping movement layered onto this ritual is likely to be a discovered or compulsive habits that developed over time, presumably strengthened by the pleasurable sensation of kneading a comfortable floor. By the way in which, have you ever examine Olga’s Toy Trance? Tuffy shouldn’t be the one one with a consolation blanket.
Even although Tuffy was neutered as a kitten, a cat’s mind nonetheless retains some instinctual behaviors associated to mating. Some neutered males proceed to indicate mounting or thrusting behaviors, particularly after they’re notably content material or overstimulated. It’s attention-grabbing that he doesn’t hunt down different objects or interact on this habits outdoors of his kneading classes, suggesting it’s extra of a comfort-driven behavior somewhat than a hormonally pushed one. His post-kneading licking may merely be a method to cool down after an episode somewhat than an indication of discomfort or irritation.
Since this has been taking place for years and there aren’t any accompanying medical considerations, it’s doubtless a innocent, self-soothing habits. However, when you ever discover adjustments similar to extreme licking, swelling, problem urinating, or indicators of discomfort, a veterinary check-up could be a good suggestion to rule out urinary or penile points. If this habits ever begins interfering together with his day by day life or turns into obsessive, a teletriage veterinary service might assist assess whether or not intervention is required. You might ebook a name with certainly one of our skilled veterinarians at PangoVet when you have extra questions or need some assist. But because it stands, it appears like Tuffy has merely discovered his very private method to unwind!
I hope this helps,
Dr. Paola
This article is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
- Read final weeks questions right here – Monday Feb 24, 2025
- Find the total listing of previous articles right here
- Click right here to submit a query
The publish Ask Dr. Paola – Monday March 3, 2025 by Dr. Paola Cuevas MVZ (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over whole articles infringes on copyright legal guidelines. You is probably not conscious of it, however all of those articles have been assigned, contracted and paid for, so they don’t seem to be thought-about public area. However, we respect that you just just like the article and would find it irresistible when you continued sharing simply the primary paragraph of an article, then linking out to the remainder of the piece on Catster.com.
