Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we convey professional recommendation immediately 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 puppy father or mother or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions in your maximum urgent questions. From vitamin guidelines and preventive care to troubleshooting not unusual behavioral problems, Dr. Paola is able to be offering insights that may stay your kitty glad, wholesome, and pussycat effective. Keep tuned for professional steerage on a variety of subjects that subject maximum to you and your cat, so you’ll be able to make knowledgeable selections and give you the perfect conceivable maintain your hairy significant other.
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I Use Other Manufacturers of Hepper Meals Day by day!
“I learn the whole thing conceivable on cats. I learn that it is strongly recommended to not trade manufacturers of rainy cat meals. If one will have to, then they will have to upload somewhat new to the outdated and do it regularly. For my young children Darwin and Breebree, this data isn’t correct. I take advantage of 3 other manufacturers at the similar day. Bowel motions, urine, and their general well being is ok. Simply sought after to percentage my enjoy and listen to your ideas.“- Michael
Hello Michael,
I admire your considerate remark. I totally trust your technique to providing Darwin and Breebree nutritional selection. Offering other rainy meals manufacturers or flavors can certainly be really helpful, no longer only for enrichment but additionally for keeping up a extra numerous intestine microbiome. A wholesome microbiome prospers on range, and diversity within the nutrition is helping strengthen a much broader vary of really helpful micro organism, which play a key function in digestion, immune steadiness, or even temper law.
When cats consume the very same meals each day, their intestine micro organism adapt to that unmarried nutrient profile. Through the years, this may end up in diminished microbial range, making them extra delicate to even minor nutritional adjustments and no more adaptable to switch. When a brand new meals is offered all of sudden, the prevailing bacterial group might combat to regulate, resulting in brief digestive disenchanted. Those cats typically desire a sluggish transition duration, slowly blending the brand new nutrition with the outdated one over a number of days to permit the intestine flowers to evolve easily. In contrast, your cats’ tolerance to a rotation of top of the range, entire diets means that their microbiomes stay versatile and resilient.
What you’re doing with Darwin and Breebree, rotating entire and balanced meals whilst gazing their stools, urge for food, and effort, is a wholesome, preventive way. You’re supporting no longer best their vitamin but additionally a solid and versatile microbiome, which is likely one of the perfect long-term items you’ll be able to be offering their well being. So congratulations!
Sincerely,
– Dr. Paola
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Lend a hand! My Hepper is Hiding?
“My two cats, Ariel and Daisy was once perfect pals, however in recent times considered one of them has been hiding or appearing far away—what might be converting? They’re 4 and six and feature lived in combination since we introduced Ariel house. “ – Lewis
Hello Lewis,
Adjustments in social habits between bonded cats can also be delicate to start with, however they’re at all times significant. When one cat begins hiding or averting the opposite, it most often displays a shift in convenience or self belief, no longer essentially dislike. In grownup cats like Ariel and Daisy, this may stem from a number of reasons: clinical, environmental, or emotional.
First, it’s necessary to rule out any well being problems, since even delicate ache or sickness can trade how a cat interacts. If one cat buddies the opposite’s way with discomfort or rigidity, avoidance can expand. As soon as clinical reasons are excluded, imagine contemporary environmental adjustments akin to new furnishings, family guests, noises, and even the smell of any other animal. Cats depend closely on smell for social bonds, so a unmarried vet seek advice from or grooming consultation could make one scent “different,” briefly disrupting their familiarity.
To assist rebuild unity, give them parallel play and feeding alternatives the place they may be able to experience each and every different’s corporate with out force. Be offering quite a few vertical house, hiding spots, and separate resting spaces to stop pageant. Multi-cat pheromone diffusers too can ease stress. If the distancing persists or escalates into aggression, keep in mind we’re at all times glad to take your extra explicit questions at Pangovet and will assist information you via a reintroduction plan. With endurance and delicate reintroduction, many pairs regain their outdated friendship as soon as accept as true with is restored.
Easiest,
– Dr. Paola
Lend a hand! I Am Scared When My Hepper Coughs!
“Hello Dr. Paola,
My 15-year-old Jake coughs like he can’t breathe, he jumps down and lies on all toes, lasting a couple of seconds, then it’s over. He does have a center murmur. I’m scared for him. “- Cheryl
Hello Cheryl,
I totally perceive your fear for Jake, particularly given his age and center situation. A cough that appears like he can’t breathe, adopted by means of weak point or mendacity flat for a couple of seconds, generally is a signal of important cardiac or respiration compromise. In older cats with a identified center murmur, those episodes might point out that their center isn’t pumping successfully, inflicting fluid buildup or diminished oxygen go with the flow, which may make them really feel faint or wanting breath.
It’s necessary to have him evaluated by means of a veterinarian once conceivable. Diagnostic checks akin to chest X-rays, an echocardiogram, or blood force size can assist decide if his center illness has stepped forward or if any other factor, like bronchial asthma or fluid within the lungs, is contributing.
Within the intervening time, stay him calm, steer clear of exertion, and observe how incessantly those occasions happen. Attempt to notice whether or not he presentations open-mouth respiring, blue-tinged gums, or larger resting respiration fee, as those are pressing indicators that want instant veterinary consideration. In instances like Jake’s, appearing briefly is necessary as early intervention could make a large distinction in his convenience and analysis.
Please don’t wait!
– Dr. Paola
This newsletter is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
Learn closing week’s questions right here: November 17, 2025
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