The submit Ask Dr. Paola – Monday March 24, 2025 by Catster Editorial Team 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 had been assigned, contracted and paid for, so they are not thought-about public area. However, we respect that you just just like the article and would find it irresistible 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 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 dad or mum or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may hold your kitty joyful, wholesome, and feline effective. Stay tuned for professional steering on a spread of subjects that matter most to you and your cat, so you can also make knowledgeable choices and supply the very best care to your furry companion.
Have a query? Send it in right here!
Help! My Cat is Drastically Losing Weight!
“Dear Dr. Paola,
I’ve a 14-year-old home longhair known as Nila who has been with me since shortly after beginning. Until 2 years in the past, she had a ‘step sister’ who was roughly a yr older. She knew her place as quantity 2, because the alpha reminded her periodically. Since the alpha’s passing, Nila has come to like being the one and solely and I like that for her.
Over the final month or so, her weight has dropped drastically, regardless of an elevated urge for food, periodic vomiting, and regular stools the blood and urine assessments all got here again inside regular ranges. I’ve tried a number of meals, each moist and dry, but she is shrinking away. She’s hungry, eats hungrily a number of occasions a day in small quantities to keep away from vomiting, vomits nonetheless on common as soon as a day sooner or later, and continues to reduce weight. Any concepts what’s going on right here? I additionally seen her simply staring on the meals like she desires to eat however doesn’t wish to vomit. She is absolutely slowing down and I really feel like I’m about to lose her. “ – Lisa
Lisa, I can really feel how deeply you’re keen on Nila, and I understand how heartbreaking it have to be to look at her reduce weight regardless of her sturdy urge for food. Given her age, her historical past, and the regarding weight reduction regardless of regular lab work, there are a number of attainable explanations for what’s occurring.
One of the most typical causes of weight reduction with elevated urge for food in older cats is hyperthyroidism, even when preliminary bloodwork appeared regular. Sometimes, early circumstances or fluctuating thyroid hormone ranges could make prognosis difficult. If hyperthyroidism has been dominated out, different potentialities embody gastrointestinal problems resembling inflammatory bowel illness (IBD), small-cell lymphoma, or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, the place the pancreas isn’t producing sufficient digestive enzymes to soak up vitamins correctly. Another concern is diabetes, however that sometimes comes with elevated thirst and urination, which you haven’t talked about.
The incontrovertible fact that she stares at her meals as if hesitant to eat and vomits every day raises a pink flag for nausea, which may stem from continual kidney illness (even when early bloodwork was regular), pancreatitis, or perhaps a gastrointestinal motility dysfunction. A deeper diagnostic strategy, together with a specialised GI panel, which incorporates extra specialised assessments that don’t get checked on routine bloodwork, and an belly ultrasound, may assist make clear what’s happening.
You may attempt providing extremely digestible, calorie-dense moist meals and presumably including a little bit of water or bone broth to stop dehydration. However, her situation sounds fairly severe, I strongly advocate additional veterinary analysis as quickly as attainable; even perhaps ask your vet to refer you to a veterinary internist if her situation continues to say no. You are doing the whole lot you possibly can, and she or he is fortunate to have you ever taking care of her.
I want you the most effective!
Dr. Paola
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Help! My Cat Seems Sad!
“Hi Dr Paola!
My 14-year-old cat, Tilly, began meowing the entire time after I needed to put Isis, my 24-year-old cat to sleep. They weren’t shut to one another. Tilly is now the alpha cat (Isis was earlier than) in my 2-cat family. She is just not shut with my different 14-year-old cat, who was near Isis. I’m undecided what she desires. She appears bored however doesn’t wish to play with toys. Any recommendations? Thank you. “ – Penny
Hi Penny, I’m so sorry to your loss. Losing a beloved cat, particularly one who shared your life for twenty-four years, is extremely tough. Even although Tilly and Isis weren’t notably shut, Isis’s absence has nonetheless modified the dynamic of your family, and Tilly is probably going reacting to that shift. You didn’t point out when this occurred however I’m assuming not too long ago. Her elevated vocalization could possibly be a approach of expressing uncertainty, searching for reassurance, and even adjusting to the silence left behind. Cats thrive on routine and familiarity, so even delicate adjustments. The absence of Isis’s presence, actions, or scent can really feel unsettling.
It’s fascinating that you just talked about Tilly taking up the “alpha” function. Domestic cats’ social construction is generally about territory, useful resource entry, and private consolation. Some cats are naturally extra assured and assertive, whereas others are extra passive. Isis could have been essentially the most influential cat in your house, guiding routines in her personal approach, and now that she’s gone, Tilly may be feeling a mixture of uncertainty and accountability. Her vocalization could possibly be her approach of processing the change, checking in with you, or just making an attempt to redefine her routine.
Since she appears stressed however bored with toys, attempt partaking her in different methods. Clicker coaching, puzzle feeders, and even merely including environmental enrichment. Add a brand new perch, a comfy hideaway, or a window seat for birdwatching. Some cats additionally reply nicely to calming pheromone diffusers. Just be sure you get the multicat formulation, which might present further consolation throughout social interactions and construction transitions. She may have further reassurance from you proper now, so mild consideration, speaking to her, or providing her a lap to take a seat on (if she enjoys that) may assist her modify. You know her finest, supply her alternatives for happiness. With time, she’ll discover her steadiness once more, and her vocalization could settle as she regains confidence in her new family dynamic.
Best needs!
Dr. Paola
Image Credit: Sarah McGraw, Shutterstock
Help! I Can’t Keep My Cat Off the Counters!
“Dear Dr. Paola,
We adopted Aiden from the native shelter. He is about 9 months outdated and till the top of January, he was principally in a cage. The drawback is, now we cannot hold him off the counters, desk, or out of the rubbish can. We are at our wit’s finish to discover a answer as a result of thus far nothing has labored. We have no idea what to do, are you able to please assist us discover a answer?” – Cynthia
Hi Cynthia,
First, I wish to say how fantastic it’s that you just adopted Aiden and gave him a recent begin and the chance to really feel liked. Since he spent a lot of his younger life in a cage, his world was very restricted, and now that he has freedom, he’s naturally exploring the whole lot. His conduct is just not about disobedience; it’s curiosity, intuition, and a realized want to hunt assets wherever attainable. Cats are pure climbers, and confined cats usually develop sturdy food-seeking behaviors as a result of they’ve little else to do of their earlier surroundings.
To redirect Aiden, consider it as guiding a baby away from hassle relatively than simply saying “no.” He wants different retailers which can be extra rewarding than the counters and trash. Provide tall cat timber or wall-mounted cabinets close to areas he tries to climb so he has “allowed” locations to discover. Use interactive feeding puzzles or scatter his meals elsewhere so he learns that meals comes from acceptable places, not the trash. To deter him, use double-sided tape or motion-activated air deterrents on surfaces you wish to hold him off. Keep the rubbish out of attain; safe trash cans with lids. You also needs to make certain counters are unappealing by eradicating meals temptations and cleansing surfaces nicely to remove attractive smells. You might also wish to attempt a number of the different ideas and tips talked about on this submit. When he chooses his cat tree or one other authorised house, reward him with treats or play so he makes the best associations.
Patience is vital, and Aiden will study with constant redirection. He’s nonetheless adjusting to his new house, and with time and constructive reinforcement, he’ll settle into higher habits. If you want further help, an internet televet service like our personal PangoVet.com may present tailor-made recommendation for his particular wants. You’re doing a terrific factor for Aiden, and with somewhat construction, he’ll quickly really feel safe and thrive in his new house!
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
This article is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
- Read final weeks questions right here – March 17, 2025
- Find the complete listing of previous articles right here
- Click right here to submit a query
The submit Ask Dr. Paola – Monday March 24, 2025 by Catster Editorial Team 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 had been assigned, contracted and paid for, so they are not thought-about public area. However, we respect that you just just like the article and would find it irresistible 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.
