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 or not you’re a brand new pet mother or father or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer 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 can hold your kitty completely satisfied, wholesome, and feline superb. Keep tuned for skilled steerage on a spread of subjects that matter most to you and your cat, so you may make knowledgeable choices and supply the very best care in your furry companion.
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Assist! I Have a Sneezy Cat!
“ I’ve observed my cat Penny sneezes sometimes. I haven’t actually been in a position to determine the set off but, it’s possibly three sneezes/day on a nasty day, however just one most days. Ought to I be frightened about her being just a little sneezy?” – Helen
Hello Helen,
There isn’t any must be involved about Penny’s occasional sneezing. Normally, rare sneezing in cats is regular and may be attributed to minor irritants like mud or delicate allergens within the setting. Sneezing helps defend the respiratory system by eliminating these small particles. Nevertheless, if Penny’s sneezing turns into extra frequent, or it’s accompanied by different indicators akin to nasal or ocular discharge, coughing, or modifications in exercise ranges or urge for food, it could be finest to seek the advice of along with your veterinarian as these indicators point out well being issues. Form regards!
Finest needs!
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Cat Loves Licking Plastic Baggage!
“My cat loves licking plastic luggage, typically ones with out meals in them so it isn’t meals that’s drawing her to them. I hold them away from her as finest as I can however she is sort of a moth to a flame and if I ever depart one unattended for a second she finds it. May this be associated to one thing critical? And the way can I cease her?” – Freddie
Hello Freddie, it’s not unusual for cats to be connected to plastic luggage. It might be the feeling 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 commonly 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 primary concern along 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 different actions like interactive toys to redirect their focus. Additionally, you will have to proceed doing all your finest to maintain the plastic bag out of her attain to keep away from pointless dangers.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Cat is a Clear Freak!
“Bernie has began giving himself extra-long grooming classes, particularly after I pet him. Is that this him being a clear freak, or does he simply assume I’m messing up his fur-care routine?” – Tyler
Hey Tyler, petting Bernie generally is a fantastic strategy to bond with him and present him your affection. Nevertheless, it’s essential to stroke him in the identical route the fur grows. Petting in opposition to the pure lay of the fur might trigger discomfort and will result in tangling or matting, particularly if Bernie has lengthy hair. Most cats desire light strokes that observe the pure route of their coat.
If you don’t assume that’s the reason for the lengthy grooming classes, you have to needless to say many cats have a brief tolerance for getting dealt with and Bernie would possibly simply not respect the petting as a lot as you desire to or assume. Don’t fear, although, there are many 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. Attempt to observe if the extra-long grooming classes are solely triggered by your petting or if he’s beginning to develop a compulsive conduct because of different components that is likely to be inflicting him stress and anxiousness. The primary 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 properly…overdo it. Good luck!
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
