Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we deliver 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 guardian 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 supply insights that can maintain your kitty pleased, wholesome, and feline high quality. Keep tuned for skilled steerage on a variety of matters that matter most to you and your cat, so you may make knowledgeable selections and supply the very best care on your furry companion.
Have a query? Ship it in right here!
Assist! My Cat Loves Milk!
“Expensive Dr. Paola,
I’ve a male cat referred to as Sasja, 2½ years previous. He likes milk very a lot. Is giving cats milk, even in small portions, all the time dangerous to cats?” – Christian
Expensive Christian,
It’s beautiful to listen to about Sasja’s fondness for milk, however sadly, milk isn’t the only option for many grownup cats. Whereas kittens produce sufficient lactase—the enzyme wanted to interrupt down lactose in milk—this capability usually declines as they develop. Many grownup cats wrestle to digest dairy correctly, like people with lactose intolerance. Even small quantities can result in digestive upset, inflicting free stools, fuel, or abdomen discomfort.
If Sasja enjoys the style of milk, you would possibly take into account lactose-free cat milk, which is particularly formulated to be protected for feline digestion. Alternatively, if he merely enjoys the routine of a particular deal with, you’ll be able to supply small quantities of water-diluted goat milk or a cat-friendly broth as an alternative. This fashion, he can nonetheless have a comforting deal with with out the potential tummy troubles.
Form regards and greatest needs,
Dr. Paola
💛 😺 Communicate To a Vet On-line From the Consolation of Your Sofa!
If you might want to converse with a vet however can’t get to at least one, head over to PangoVet. It’s a web-based service the place you’ll be able to discuss to a vet on-line and get the personalised recommendation you want on your pet — all at an inexpensive value!
Assist! I Want Introduction Ideas!
“Hello Dr. Paola,
I introduced an 8-week-old kitten dwelling and we even have two 12-year-old cats in the home. What are your greatest introduction suggestions and the way do we all know when it’s protected to allow them to work together freely? Thanks so very a lot!” – Chad
Hello Chad. Bringing a brand new kitten into a house with senior cats requires persistence and a considerate introduction course of to make sure a easy transition. The very best recommendation I can provide you is to not rush it. Cats are territorial, and sudden introductions can create stress and rigidity. As an alternative of speeding, give your older cats time to regulate by establishing a separate house for the kitten, full with meals, water, a litter field, and protected hiding spots. This enables your resident cats to change into conversant in the kitten’s scent with out feeling instantly threatened. It additionally permits the kitten to settle into the brand new surroundings and really feel extra calm and safe.
You’ll be able to velocity up scent trade by swapping bedding between them and utilizing a comfortable fabric to rub one cat, after which the opposite, so they begin associating one another’s scent with one thing acquainted.
As soon as the scent introduction part goes easily, permit temporary, supervised visible conferences via a child gate or cracked door. Throughout these first introductions, it’s clue to observe their physique language intently. Indicators like flattened ears, raised fur, hissing, or growling point out unease or rigidity, whereas relaxed postures and curiosity counsel they’re adjusting properly. In the event you see indicators of optimistic physique language, go forward and provides them a yummy deal with; don’t give one if rigidity is within the air. If issues are going properly you’ll be able to step by step progress to brief, supervised interactions in a impartial house, and proceed utilizing optimistic reinforcement comparable to treats or mild reward to create optimistic associations. It is extremely essential to provide them time and keep away from forcing interactions. You will need to additionally guarantee your senior cats have protected escape routes in the event that they really feel overwhelmed.
I cannot stress sufficient the significance of statement; you’ll understand it’s protected to allow them to work together freely when their encounters stay calm—which means no aggressive chasing, swatting with claws prolonged, or extended growling. Some hissing or temporary corrections from the older cats are regular as they set up boundaries, but it surely shouldn’t escalate into extended hostility.
Understand that since your older cat is prone to have totally different power ranges than the kitten, it’s essential to guarantee they’ve excessive perches or quiet retreat areas the place they will loosen up undisturbed. With persistence and cautious monitoring, most cats alter over time, but it surely’s all the time essential to go at their tempo, give them some non-public house, and do the work to bolster optimistic associations with a view to keep a harmonious family.
I want you good luck,
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Cat Seems to Be Humping?
“My 13.5-year-old neutered cat, Tuffy, has developed an unusual habit over the past few years. When kneading a soft microfiber blanket, he gradually enters a trance-like state and begins rhythmic movements resembling humping, though no direct contact or fluid discharge occurs. He stops either on his own or when gently interrupted, after which he immediately licks himself, seemingly to reduce discomfort rather than for further stimulation. No medical issues have been found during regular veterinary consultations. Tuffy has been well-socialized with other cats and remains active and healthy. Could this be a self-soothing behavior, a learned habit, or something else entirely?” – Ben
Hello Ben!
Tuffy’s habits, whereas uncommon, isn’t totally unusual in neutered male cats. Kneading is a deeply ingrained kitten habits related to nursing, and plenty of cats proceed doing it into maturity as a self-soothing mechanism. The trance-like state suggests he’s extremely centered and relaxed, very like how some cats suckle on cloth or toys. The humping movement layered onto this ritual is perhaps a discovered or compulsive habits that developed over time, probably strengthened by the pleasurable sensation of kneading a comfortable floor. By the way in which, have you ever examine Olga’s Toy Trance? Tuffy isn’t the one one with a consolation blanket.
Despite the fact that Tuffy was neutered as a kitten, a cat’s mind nonetheless retains some instinctual behaviors associated to mating. Some neutered males proceed to point out mounting or thrusting behaviors, particularly once they’re significantly content material or overstimulated. It’s fascinating that he doesn’t hunt down different objects or interact on this habits exterior of his kneading classes, suggesting it’s extra of a comfort-driven behavior fairly than a hormonally pushed one. His post-kneading licking would possibly merely be a solution to quiet down after an episode fairly than an indication of discomfort or irritation.
Since this has been occurring for years and there are not any accompanying medical considerations, it’s possible a innocent, self-soothing habits. Nevertheless, when you ever discover modifications comparable to extreme licking, swelling, problem urinating, or indicators of discomfort, a veterinary check-up could be a good suggestion to rule out urinary or penile points. If this habits ever begins interfering along with his each day life or turns into obsessive, a teletriage veterinary service may assist assess whether or not intervention is required. You can e-book a name with considered one of our skilled veterinarians at PangoVet when you’ve got extra questions or need some help. However because it stands, it appears like Tuffy has merely discovered his very private solution to unwind!
I hope this helps,
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
