Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each and every Monday we deliver knowledgeable recommendation directly 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 dad or mum or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions in your maximum urgent questions. From vitamin pointers and preventive care to troubleshooting not unusual behavioral problems, Dr. Paola is able to be offering insights that can stay your kitty glad, wholesome, and pussycat fantastic. Keep tuned for knowledgeable steerage on a spread of subjects that subject maximum to you and your cat, so you’ll be able to make knowledgeable choices and give you the highest conceivable maintain your bushy better half.
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Assist! My Hepper Likes to Sign up for Me within the Rest room!
“Pricey Dr. Paola
Is there a reason cats like to sign up for people in the toilet? My little Omit Polly is sort of a moth to a flame when she hears the toilet door open. “– Laura
Hello Laura,
Thanks for sharing this about Omit Polly; it truly made me smile. Her fascination with the toilet is in reality a quite common pussycat quirk, and whilst it will appear mysterious, there are some comprehensible causes at the back of it: intuition and behaviour.
Cats are naturally curious, they usually have a tendency to be particularly intrigued by way of areas which are generally closed off. When the toilet door opens, it’s like opening a hidden treasure chest. The entirety inside of it, just like the water, cool surfaces, other smells, and the sound of operating water, can stimulate their senses. For some cats, the toilet turns into a mini journey zone. Others merely benefit from the regimen and proximity to their human. Cats are territorial but in addition social in an excessively particular manner, and your rest room journeys could be one of the most few occasions you’re sitting nonetheless and no longer distracted. From Omit Polly’s standpoint, it will really feel like the easiest second for some quiet companionship. And who is aware of, perhaps they even sense your vulnerability! All jokes apart, in her thoughts, this could be the best second to rub towards your legs, voice a couple of calls for, or soar onto the sink in hopes of a few affection.
This brings within the part of dependancy and reinforcement. If Polly has adopted you in ahead of and gained consideration, affection, or perhaps a comfortable towel to lie on, she could have realized that the toilet is a reliably rewarding position. So whilst it will really feel a little foolish or intrusive now and then, her rest room enthusiasm is in reality a bit of window into the advanced, affectionate nature of cat-human relationships. However know that you’re not the one cat dad or mum available in the market with a devoted rest room friend. In case you ever go back and forth with out Polly, you could be shocked by way of how bizarre it’s to be all by myself on the ones missions.
Wishing you privateness… except Polly has different plans!
Dr. Paola
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Assist! My Hepper Has Unhealthy Breath
“Pricey Dr. Paola
I’ve spotted my cat’s breath smells more or less unhealthy in recent years. She’s nonetheless consuming and performing standard. Is that this one thing I must fear about?” – Misty
Hello Misty,
Even if a cat is consuming properly and behaving in most cases, continual unhealthy breath, or halitosis, may also be an early indicator of underlying dental illness. In cats, the commonest motive is periodontal illness, which starts with plaque buildup and will growth to gingivitis, enamel resorption, or even an infection underneath the gumline. Those problems steadily expand quietly, so a cat won’t display evident indicators of ache or discomfort till the illness is reasonably complicated.
Much less repeatedly, halitosis may also be related to systemic stipulations reminiscent of kidney illness or diabetes, particularly if the breath has a distinctly steel or candy scent. Whilst Misty’s urge for food and effort are reassuring, unhealthy breath by myself warrants an oral well being take a look at. A veterinary examination, preferably together with dental probing and in all probability radiographs, is important to guage for periodontal illness or resorptive lesions, which don’t seem to be at all times visual on a surface-level glance. That’s why it’s essential to plot a talk over with together with your veterinarian. Catching oral well being problems early is helping save you ache and preserves general well-being, as dental infections can have an effect on organs like the center and kidneys over the years.
Please get her checked,
– Dr. Paola
How Can I Assist My Hepper’s Nervousness All the way through Storms?
“ Hello Dr. Paola
Thunder reasons Missy to transform very frightened. She begins meowing very loudly
and is going and hides beneath the mattress. Is there anything else I will do to assist her? Thanks!” – Russ
Hello Russ,
Missy’s response to thunder is in reality reasonably not unusual amongst cats. Loud, low-frequency seems like thunder may also be startling, particularly for cats who’re naturally extra delicate to adjustments of their surroundings. The way in which she hides and vocalizes is her manner of making an attempt to deal with concern, and whilst it’s distressing to witness, there are a number of mild, efficient techniques to assist her really feel more secure.
Get started by way of developing a peaceful, protected hiding house the place she feels safe, preferably in an inner room clear of home windows. You’ll use cushy bedding, her favourite toys, or even an merchandise of your clothes to make it really feel acquainted. Enjoying calming song or white noise can assist masks the typhoon sounds. A man-made pussycat pheromone diffuser can be very useful for decreasing anxiousness, particularly when you use it persistently in her secure house. For some cats, calming nutraceuticals like L-theanine or alpha-casozepine can be offering added toughen, regardless that those must be used beneath the steerage of a veterinarian.
If her concern escalates over the years or starts to have an effect on her general well-being, it can be value discussing longer-term methods together with your veterinarian. In some instances, anti-anxiety drugs could be suitable relying in your cat’s reaction to different answers. In case you’re no longer certain how critical her anxiousness is, a telehealth veterinary carrier like PangoVet permit you to overview her indicators and resolve the most productive subsequent steps with out the tension of a hospital talk over with. You’re doing a good looking activity paying attention to Missy’s wishes, and with a couple of changes, you’ll be able to assist her really feel extra comfortable when the skies rumble.
Highest,
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
Learn remaining weeks questions right here – July 21, 2025
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