The put up Ask Dr. Paola – Monday January 6, 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 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 if you happen to 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 dad or mum or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may hold your kitty comfortable, wholesome, and feline fantastic. Stay tuned for skilled steering on a variety of subjects that matter most to you and your cat, so you may make knowledgeable selections and supply the very best care in your furry companion.
Have a query? Send it in right here!
Help! I Have a Sneezy Cat!
“ I’ve noticed my cat Penny sneezes occasionally. I haven’t really been able to figure out the trigger yet, it’s maybe three sneezes/day on a bad day, but only one most days. Should I be worried about her being a little sneezy?” – Helen
Hi Helen,
There is not any have to be involved about Penny’s occasional sneezing. In most circumstances, rare sneezing in cats is regular and could be attributed to minor irritants like mud or gentle allergens within the atmosphere. Sneezing helps defend the respiratory system by eliminating these small particles. However, if Penny’s sneezing turns into extra frequent, or it’s accompanied by different indicators similar to nasal or ocular discharge, coughing, or modifications in exercise ranges or urge for food, it might be greatest to seek the advice of together with your veterinarian as these indicators point out well being considerations. Kind regards!
Best needs!
Dr. Paola
Image Credit: luckat, Shutterstock
Help! My Cat Loves Licking Plastic Bags!
“My cat loves licking plastic bags, generally ones without food in them so it isn’t food that’s drawing her to them. I keep them away from her as best as I can but she is like a moth to a flame and if I ever leave one unattended for a second she finds it. Could this be related to something serious? And how can I stop her?” – Freddie
Hi Freddie, it isn’t unusual for cats to be connected to plastic luggage. It often is the sensation 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, clothes, 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 frequent in oriental breeds like Siamese and Burmese, which can have a genetic predisposition to it.
The principal 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 handle this conduct, present various actions like interactive toys to redirect their focus. You will even must proceed doing all of your greatest to maintain the plastic bag out of her attain to keep away from pointless dangers.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
Image Credit: SJ Allen, Shutterstock
Help! My Cat is a Clean Freak!
“Bernie has started giving himself extra-long grooming sessions, especially after I pet him. Is this him being a clean freak, or does he just think I’m messing up his fur-care routine?” – Tyler
Hey Tyler, petting Bernie is usually a great method to bond with him and present him your affection. However, it’s vital to stroke him in the identical course 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 mild strokes that observe the pure course of their coat.
If you don’t suppose that’s the reason for the lengthy grooming classes, you could needless to say many cats have a brief tolerance for getting dealt with and Bernie may simply not respect the petting as a lot as you want to or assume. Don’t fear, although, there are lots of different methods to point out Bernie how a lot you’re keen on him!
Grooming is a self-soothing conduct for cats, so please hold an in depth eye on him. Try 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 perhaps inflicting him stress and anxiousness. The principal factor right here is that you don’t want 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 article is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
- Read final weeks questions right here – Monday December 30, 2024
- Click right here to submit a query
The put up Ask Dr. Paola – Monday January 6, 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 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 if you happen to continued sharing simply the primary paragraph of an article, then linking out to the remainder of the piece on Catster.com.
