Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we carry 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 mum or dad 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 widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may preserve your kitty joyful, wholesome, and feline nice. 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 in your furry companion.
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Assist! My Cat Has Extreme Zoomies!
“ I know that all cats get the zoomies, but my cat Hera’s zoomies are starting to feel excessive. She is 14 and still has them 4-5 times/day, without catnip! Is there such a thing as too many zoomies? ” – Percy
Frenetic random exercise intervals (FRAP), mostly often called “the zoomies”, is a pure conduct exhibited by most cats. Nonetheless, if the conduct is occurring too usually we don’t contemplate it to be regular. This conduct can sign Hera is feeling burdened or annoyed and chances are high she wants extra psychological and bodily stimulation. Indoor cats must be supplied with a number of alternatives to outlet their vitality. This implies including some climbing choices and vertical areas, offering them with puzzle feeders, quite a lot of toys in a rotation, and even a operating wheel. Enjoying together with your cat at the least 2 or 3 instances a day to make sure they transfer round and launch their vitality is necessary. Should you already do that utilizing a laser pointer, this would possibly truly be the explanation behind Hera’s frequent FRAPing or zoomies.
Whereas laser pointers are nice instruments to get cats going, they’ll additionally trigger an unbelievable quantity of frustration in cats as this mild appeals to their predatory instincts, nevertheless, they by no means permit them to make a profitable catch. In different phrases, they by no means win. There are specific laser pointer guidelines to observe that may assist. Toss her a toy in order that she will be able to efficiently paw and chunk one thing tangible on the similar time you flip the pointer off. Comply with this with a yummy deal with and even dinner, this permits her to finish her “hunting cycle” as a substitute of leaving her hanging up.
Offering Hera with a relaxing surroundings utilizing artificial pheromones and several other secure hiding alternatives also can assist cut back her stress. These are just a few choices to contemplate, the overall thought is to let her have wholesome vitality retailers and likewise present her with a stress-free surroundings.
Finest needs!
Dr. Paola
Assist! I Suppose My Cat Can See Ghosts!
“Can cats see ghosts? My cat stares at the wall all the time as if someone is there but there isn’t. What should I do here?”
” – Daniela
There are a number of attainable explanation why cats could be staring at a wall. Their senses are completely different from ours, they’ll hear noises we will’t because of the frequency vary and may also be smelling one thing you cannot detect. In lots of circumstances, these are small animals hiding behind the partitions. A cat would look and also you would possibly see their ears transferring to observe the noise’s origin.
You didn’t point out the age but when your cat is a senior, senile dementia or age-related cognitive dysfunction is a chance. Different prospects embrace neurological issues reminiscent of partial or focal seizures. Should you assume this could be the case, be conversant in different indicators and document as a lot details about it as attainable together with, when it occurs, after what exercise, how usually, at what time, and so forth, if attainable document a video. The extra information you’ll be able to carry to your vet, the higher probabilities of a profitable prognosis; though a definitive prognosis would want an electroencephalogram (EEG). These are the medical prospects, and though many swear that cats have supernatural powers and may see ghosts, we have now no dependable proof to show that.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
Assist! We Need to Go On Vacation!
“My partner and I are thinking of going on a two-week holiday next year but we’ve never left our 3-year-old cat Jackson for more than 2 days before. We’re thinking of putting him into a cattery, but then also think a house sitter might be a better alternative. How do we decide what’s best for him?” – Gemma
Hello Gemma.
Cats are creatures of behavior, they’re solitary and territorial by nature. Their houses are their acquainted territory. They spend time every single day guaranteeing each piece of it’s marked with their scent from facial pheromones, which give them a way of familiarity or belonging and make them really feel safe. Transferring them to a very completely different space with many different cats is oftentimes aggravating for them. If in case you have the likelihood, I’d suggest you go for the home sitter. Then, not solely will Jackson be cared for, however your property shall be too. I do know that paying for a personal sitter can get costly, however there are some wonderful providers on the market the place you purchase a yearly membership to the group, after which the home sitting is a free alternate based mostly on belief! Then, you’ll be able to get pleasure from your vacation extra figuring out that Jackson is snug.
Better of luck, and revel in your vacation!
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
