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 or not 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 widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that can maintain your kitty glad, wholesome, and feline advantageous. Keep tuned for professional steerage 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.
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Assist! 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
Hello Helen,
There isn’t a have to be involved about Penny’s occasional sneezing. Generally, rare sneezing in cats is regular and could be attributed to minor irritants like mud or gentle allergens within the atmosphere. Sneezing helps shield the respiratory system by eliminating these small particles. Nonetheless, if Penny’s sneezing turns into extra frequent, or it’s accompanied by different indicators reminiscent of nasal or ocular discharge, coughing, or modifications in exercise ranges or urge for food, it might be greatest to seek the advice of along with your veterinarian as these indicators point out well being considerations. Variety regards!
Greatest needs!
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Cat Loves Licking Plastic Baggage!
“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
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 just isn’t the one one. Some cats additionally current this suckling habits the place they “nurse” on their human’s finger or inanimate objects like blankets, clothes, or in your cat’s case, plastics. This habits is usually noticed in kittens who had been separated from their moms too early and is extra widespread in oriental breeds like Siamese and Burmese, which can have a genetic predisposition to it.
The principle concern along with your cat presenting this habits could be the chance 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 habits, present different actions like interactive toys to redirect their focus. Additionally, you will have to proceed doing all your greatest 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 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 option to bond with him and present him your affection. Nonetheless, it’s necessary to stroke him in the identical route the fur grows. Petting towards the pure lay of the fur might trigger discomfort and should result in tangling or matting, particularly if Bernie has lengthy hair. Most cats want light strokes that comply with the pure route of their coat.
If you don’t suppose that’s the reason for the lengthy grooming periods, you could remember that many cats have a brief tolerance for getting dealt with and Bernie would possibly simply not admire the petting as a lot as you prefer to or assume. Don’t fear, although, there are many different methods to indicate Bernie how a lot you’re keen on him!
Grooming is a self-soothing habits for cats, so please maintain a detailed eye on him. Attempt to notice if the extra-long grooming periods are solely triggered by your petting or if he’s beginning to develop a compulsive habits as a consequence of different components that may be inflicting him stress and anxiousness. The principle 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 nicely…overdo it. Good luck!
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
