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Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we deliver 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 guardian 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 satisfied, wholesome, and feline nice. Stay tuned for skilled steering on a spread of subjects that matter most to you and your cat, so you can also make knowledgeable selections and supply the very best care in your furry companion.
Have a query? Send it in right here!
Help! My Cats’ Back is Getting Sore!
“Dear Dr. Paola,
My Kitty-Boy, Mash, might be 14 years previous in May. I’ve observed that his again will get sore close to the tail. Can I give him one thing that might be wholesome for his kidneys and liver?” – Nikki
Hi Nikki,
Thank you for being such a loving and observant pet guardian to your candy Mash. At practically 14, he’s coming into his golden years, and it’s not unusual for older cats to expertise discomfort within the decrease again or close to the bottom of the tail. This space is usually a hotspot for age-related adjustments equivalent to arthritis and even referred discomfort from different areas just like the hips or backbone. Just like older individuals could really feel stiff getting away from bed, senior cats can develop irritation of their joints that makes sure actions or contact uncomfortable.
Before contemplating any dietary supplements or therapies, it’s vital to first pinpoint what’s inflicting the soreness. While there are joint-supportive choices like omega-3 fatty acids (from high-quality fish oil), glucosamine, or green-lipped mussel that may be mild on the liver and kidneys, it’s greatest to rule out different potential points first, like hyperesthesia syndrome, spinal discomfort, and even early kidney-related adjustments which will trigger again sensitivity. Because Mash is a senior, I like to recommend scheduling a veterinary examination, ideally together with bloodwork and presumably X-rays. These will assist information secure selections and guarantee any complement or treatment helps his total well being. With the proper care, many older cats like Mash can keep comfy and lively nicely into their senior years.
Best,
Dr. Paola
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Help! I Need Help Getting My Cats to Like Each Other!
“Hi Dr Paola!
I’ve a cat, Looney, that adopted me 16 months in the past. I have already got 3 cats. Looney is about 2. When I discovered him, I took him to the vet and bought all his photographs, and he was neutered.
I introduced him dwelling, separated him in a particular cat room with a cat door, home windows so he may take a look at water, a fountain, and a bit robotic! Gradually, we put a leash on Looney to stroll round the home, inside the home so the opposite cats may see him, and he may odor the opposite cats. After 1 12 months, I took him off the leash and let him run round the home, which prompted a MAJOR PROBLEM. One of my cats, a male named Gio, doesn’t like Looney in any respect and freaks out each time he sees him. I don’t know how you can get these cats to love one another! Please assist!“ – Christine
Hi Christine,
Thank you for sharing your considerate, gradual, and loving strategy. It sounds such as you’ve really gone above and past for Looney, and it’s clear that your coronary heart is absolutely dedicated to all of your feline companions. Integrating a brand new cat into a house with established senior cats can typically really feel like introducing a younger whirlwind right into a quiet retirement village. Even with gradual introductions, some personalities naturally conflict, particularly when the newcomer continues to be youthful and filled with vitality and the resident cat, like Gio, has a well-established sense of territory and routine.
Gio’s sturdy response suggests he could really feel threatened or overwhelmed by Looney’s presence, particularly if Looney is playful or assertive in methods Gio finds intrusive. Cats are creatures of management, and adjustments to their setting or social construction can unsettle them deeply. While you’ve already accomplished a cautious introduction, in instances like this, it’s typically needed to return just a few steps and reintroduce them extra steadily utilizing structured optimistic reinforcement. Think of it as rebuilding a shaky bridge with endurance and confidence: tiny steps, nicely supported.
A way referred to as “site swapping” may help: let Gio spend time in Looney’s particular room with Looney confined elsewhere, so he can get used to Looney’s scent in a low-pressure method. Pair any visible entry between them with one thing each cats love, like treats or play, so they start to affiliate one another with good experiences. Multi-cat artificial pheromone diffusers and calming dietary supplements really helpful by your vet may also assist ease underlying stress. If issues proceed to really feel caught, working with a feline behaviorist could make a world of distinction. They have the expertise required to notice delicate cues and may tailor particular methods to your distinctive family dynamics. With time, assist, and consistency, many cats study to tolerate and even benefit from the presence of a once-unwelcome housemate.
Wishing you good luck,
Dr. Paola
Image Credit: Impact Photography, Shutterstock
Can You Help Me Determine My Cats Breed?
“Dear Dr. Paola,
Please, what breed is my a lot liked cat George? I assumed Turkish Angora, however his vet says he’s not sure, perhaps a Maine Coon. He’s bought a gorgeous large bushy tail, 5 kg, and practically eight months previous. “ – Charlotte
Hi Charlotte,
Thank you for sharing a bit about your fantastic George. He sounds completely gorgeous, and with that large, bushy tail and stable construct at simply eight months previous, it’s no surprise he attracts consideration! While his options may resemble these of breeds just like the Turkish Angora or Maine Coon, the one strategy to know for positive is with a feline DNA check. These checks can reveal breed ancestry, coat traits, and even potential well being markers, providing an enchanting glimpse into what makes George distinctive. Knowing the breed simply from a photograph is oftentimes difficult, and it’s price noting that except he got here with pedigree papers, George is probably going a gorgeous mixed-breed cat with options paying homage to a number of longhaired breeds. But that doesn’t make him any much less particular; actually, a few of the most charming personalities and distinctive appears to be like come from these pleasant blends.
That stated, whether or not he seems to have purebred roots or is a gorgeous mix of a number of lineages, each cat is ideal in their very own method. Their allure, quirks, and companionship don’t come from a pedigree however from the bond they share with us, and it feels like George has discovered precisely the place he belongs. By the way in which, be happy so as to add his picture to our cat of the week contest; we like to see pics of our readers’ beloved pets! Looking ahead to that pic!
Dr. Paola
This article is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
- Read final weeks questions right here – March 31, 2025
- Find the total listing of previous articles right here
- Click right here to submit a query
The submit Ask Dr. Paola – Monday April 7, 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 are not thought-about public area. However, we respect that you simply just like the article and would like it for those who continued sharing simply the primary paragraph of an article, then linking out to the remainder of the piece on Catster.com.
