The put up Ask Dr. Paola – Monday March 31, 2025 by Dr. Paola Cuevas MVZ (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over total articles infringes on copyright legal guidelines. You will 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-about public area. However, we recognize that you simply just like the article and would like it should 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 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 diet suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that can maintain your kitty completely satisfied, wholesome, and feline effective. Stay tuned for professional steering on a variety of subjects that matter most to you and your cat, so you may make knowledgeable choices and supply the absolute best care in your furry companion.
Have a query? Send it in right here!
Help! My Cat Threw Up White Foam!
“Dear Dr. Paola,
My cat, Mirabella, threw up extra white foam. One of the posts on Catster shared what to look out for in numerous cat vomit, so I’m very involved. I’ve spoken to the vet workplace that I take my cat to, however I’m nonetheless careworn. Can you assist? – Catherine
Hi Catherine,
I fully perceive why you’re feeling careworn—seeing Mirabella vomit, particularly white foam, will be unsettling. Vomiting in cats can have many causes, starting from delicate to severe. White foam usually means that the abdomen is empty, which might occur if a cat goes too lengthy with out consuming, has delicate gastritis (abdomen irritation), or is experiencing an underlying situation like acid reflux disease. However, frequent vomiting, lethargy, decreased urge for food, or another modifications in conduct may point out a extra regarding situation, resembling an obstruction, pancreatitis, or an underlying sickness.
Since you’ve already reached out to your vet, that’s a wonderful step. If Mirabella continues to vomit, appears uncomfortable, refuses meals, or develops another regarding indicators, she needs to be seen promptly. In the meantime, providing small, bland meals like plain boiled rooster or a delicate abdomen food plan in tiny quantities might assist settle her abdomen. Keeping her hydrated and monitoring for any modifications are essential. I do know that is disturbing, however you’re doing the suitable factor by paying attention. If her vomiting persists or worsens, following up together with your vet for a extra thorough analysis can be finest. Mirabella is fortunate to have you ever looking for her!
I hope she will get higher quickly,
Dr. Paola
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Help! I Have to Keep My Cats Separate!
“Hi Dr Paola!
I’ve three cats. My 12-year-old cat (Jinx) and a 2-year-old cat (Sherbert) had been in the home collectively and bought alongside nice. Then Rocky confirmed up on our porch. I fell in love and introduced him into the fold. Jinx is the goofiest lovebug you’ll ever meet—EXCEPT when he sees Rocky. He instantly begins growling and hissing, after which Rocky will get defensive, they usually have even attacked one another. Nothing I’ve executed appears to assist. They nonetheless hate one another. So for over 2 years, we now have saved them aside. Rocky sleeps in my room and stays there all morning. Then the opposite two go in, and Rocky will get free-range home time till bedtime. It’s so arduous, and I really feel so dangerous, however I can’t let any of them go. Our home is tiny, and I work full time, so it’s arduous for me to do any of the guidelines I discover on-line. Do you might have ANY recommendation in any respect? My coronary heart breaks day-after-day to maintain them like this. “ – Carrie
Hi Carrie,
I can actually really feel how a lot love and dedication you might have for all three of your cats. Managing a family the place two cats don’t get alongside is extremely powerful, particularly in a small house, however the truth that you’ve discovered a method to maintain everybody protected and cozy for over two years is a testomony to your persistence and care. It’s fully comprehensible to really feel heartbroken, however please know that you’re already doing a lot to make the perfect of a tough state of affairs.
Since Jinx and Rocky have an ingrained hostility towards one another, a full reset could be the one method to try to rebuild their relationship. This would imply ranging from scratch with a gradual and structured reintroduction course of, as if that they had by no means met. However, given your full-time work schedule and the restricted house, that will not be a practical choice. In that case, the easiest way to ease tensions could be oblique constructive associations. Try swapping their bedding often in order that they get used to one another’s scent in a non-threatening approach. Using a multi-cat pheromone diffuser in frequent areas also can promote a calmer ambiance. Additionally, if in case you have time, partaking in parallel play—the place you play with every cat individually however in sight of one another (even by a child gate or a cracked door)—may also help them affiliate one another with constructive experiences.
Some cats, like Jinx and Rocky, might by no means be finest buddies, and that’s okay. If full integration isn’t potential, optimizing the separate dwelling association to cut back stress is a superbly legitimate and loving strategy. If there’s any method to create even vertical separation, like reverse sides of wall-mounted cabinets or tall cat bushes, it may assist them coexist in the identical room with out feeling instantly threatened. You’re not failing them, Carrie; you’re giving them a house the place they’re protected and cherished. And that’s every thing. Likewise, should you would extra data, you possibly can communicate with one among our vets. We have a web based televet service, PangoVet, the place you possibly can communicate face-to-face and get behavioral and coaching recommendation from one among our skilled veterinarians.
Best of luck,
Dr. Paola
Help! My Cats No Longer Get Along!
“Dear Dr. Paola,
Our cats have been separated for two-and-a-half years. Mari turned aggressive when Katia got here again from having her enamel cleaned. They now will eat collectively on both aspect of a child gate. Mari is on treatment for anxiousness, and we use Feliway diffusers. We wish to reunite the cats, however we’re nervous about Mari’s tendency to be territorial. They are additionally each connected to me, and I’m afraid that Mari will assault Katia if I’m holding her. “ – Eileen
Hi Eileen,
It’s great that you simply’ve been so affected person and devoted to serving to Mari and Katia really feel extra snug round one another. The undeniable fact that they’ll now eat calmly on both aspect of a child gate is a large step it means they’ll share an area positively, even when there’s nonetheless a barrier. Given Mari’s territorial nature and her sturdy attachment to you, a cautious and gradual strategy shall be key to creating their reunion as clean as potential.
Since Mari’s aggression was triggered by a change in Katia’s scent after the dental process, persevering with scent swapping may also help preserve familiarity. Rubbing a mushy material on Katia and putting it in Mari’s resting areas (and vice versa) can additional reinforce constructive associations. You may additionally strive quick, supervised interactions whereas partaking them in a shared, pleasant exercise, resembling playtime with a wand toy or constructive reinforcement coaching. The aim is to maintain them targeted on one thing constructive whereas regularly normalizing one another’s presence.
Your concern about Mari’s response if you’re holding Katia is legitimate. Cats can change into possessive over their favourite human, and being bodily elevated could make Katia extra susceptible. Instead of holding her throughout early interactions, strive being current in a impartial, open house the place each cats can transfer freely. It is essential to be observant of their physique language. If you discover stress and even precursors of aggression, calmly redirect their focus with toys or a mild distraction quite than intervening bodily, which may escalate stress. Since Mari is already on treatment for anxiousness, discussing the transition together with your vet could also be useful to make sure her present remedy is optimized for this course of. You’re making considerate decisions for his or her well-being, and with persistence, they are able to share house once more—even when they by no means change into finest buddies, cats can study to tolerate one another, and coexisting peacefully is a practical and worthwhile aim so long as every has their very own territory.
Good luck,
Dr. Paola
This article is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
- Read final weeks questions right here – March 24, 2025
- Find the complete checklist of previous articles right here
- Click right here to submit a query
The put up Ask Dr. Paola – Monday March 31, 2025 by Dr. Paola Cuevas MVZ (Veterinarian) appeared first on Catster. Copying over total articles infringes on copyright legal guidelines. You will 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-about public area. However, we recognize that you simply just like the article and would like it should you continued sharing simply the primary paragraph of an article, then linking out to the remainder of the piece on Catster.com.
