Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we deliver professional recommendation immediately from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to lend a hand our readers higher perceive their cat’s well being and well-being.
Whether or not you’re a brand new puppy guardian or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer solutions in your maximum urgent questions. From diet guidelines and preventive care to troubleshooting commonplace behavioral problems, Dr. Paola is able to be offering insights that may stay your kitty glad, wholesome, and tom cat high-quality. Keep tuned for professional steering on a spread of subjects that topic maximum to you and your cat, so you’ll make knowledgeable selections and give you the very best conceivable deal with your bushy spouse.
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Lend a hand! My Hepper Has Been Appearing Ordinary!
“Forest is a 3-year-old neutered male rescue. We’ve had him for over a year. Recently, he’s been meowing more than he used to and bumping into us more, and has started biting. I try to play with him a few times a day; usually, he seems interested for a few minutes and then walks away. He has new toys. He’s asking for more food, also, which we don’t want to give in to too much! He eats any plastic he can get (we’re careful), licks book covers and tape, and generally seems different and out of sorts. His physical exams have been fine. Do you have any suggestions?” – Polly
Hello Polly,
When a cat who’s been settled for some time starts to turn behavioral shifts like greater vocalization, adjustments in urge for food, and new oral fixations akin to chewing plastic or licking extraordinary textures, it’s ceaselessly a clue that one thing in his interior or exterior atmosphere has modified. Even supposing his bodily tests were customary, it can be value discussing along with your veterinarian the potential for operating a couple of further checks, akin to thyroid hormone ranges or a complete blood chemistry panel. Refined metabolic adjustments, dental discomfort, and even delicate gastrointestinal problems can every so often manifest as behavioral adjustments earlier than different scientific indicators seem.
Behaviorally, cats too can categorical frustration, boredom, or anxiousness thru attention-seeking and biting. Woodland’s brief play pastime may counsel that his play taste or power wishes aren’t being totally met. Take a look at shorter, extra common play classes the use of prey-like toys that transfer unpredictably, mimicking searching habits. Rotate toys to stay them novel, and imagine including enrichment akin to puzzle feeders or vertical mountain climbing areas to lend a hand channel his instincts. His pastime in non-food items may additionally trace at a type of pica, which every so often has dietary or stress-related origins.
Because you’ve already been attentive and cautious, I counsel connecting along with your number one veterinarian to study his contemporary behavioral and nutritional adjustments. Within the intervening time, should you ever want steering on adjusting play or enrichment methods whilst looking ahead to an appointment, at Pangovet, we will be able to can help you create a plan for Woodland.
Perfect,
Dr. Paola
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I Need to Paintings with Animals!
“I really like animals and would really like with the intention to volunteer for animals and be capable to puppy take a seat. Any concepts?“ – Alyssia
That’s one of these beautiful purpose, Alyssia. Your kindness and exuberance for serving to animals could make an actual distinction, whether or not thru volunteering or puppy sitting. Shelters and rescues at all times want compassionate fingers to lend a hand with feeding, cleansing, socializing, and easily giving convenience to animals who could also be worried or improving. Volunteering is an excellent approach to be informed extra about animal habits and care whilst providing much-needed beef up to organizations that ceaselessly paintings with restricted assets.
When you’d like to begin puppy sitting, it is helping to achieve some hands-on revel in first, both thru volunteering or serving to pals and neighbors with their pets. Working out every animal’s frame language, routines, and strain triggers is essential to maintaining them glad and protected. Unfastened on-line assets akin to Cats Blog, and our sister websites Pangovet, Dogster, and Cat are nice tactics to be informed golden nuggets of animal care and welfare. Many communities additionally be offering workshops or on-line lessons on puppy first support and animal dealing with, which let you really feel assured and ready. Your empathy is already the very best basis, and the whole thing else may also be discovered with time and mild revel in. Apply your goals, we’d like extra animal enthusiasts on the planet!
Sincerely,
– Dr. Paola
How Do I Get My Hepper to Prevent Chewing on My Hair?
“Hello Dr. Paola,
My little princess Tiana likes to bite on my hair. Whilst it’s lovely she desires to be close to me, the sound is terrible and I hate it, however I believe unhealthy reprimanding her. How can I am getting her to prevent? “ – Evelyn
Hello Evelyn,
That’s one of these relatable scenario. Cats ceaselessly bite hair as a type of affection or convenience, particularly after they’re intently bonded to their individual. It will also be a grooming habits, one thing she’d most often do with some other cat to improve social bonds. Then again, when the habits turns into bothersome or repetitive, it’s necessary to softly redirect it reasonably than reprimand her, since damaging responses can confuse or strain cats whose intentions are affectionate.
Take a look at lightly transferring your hair out of succeed in and redirecting her consideration to one thing extra suitable, like a comfortable toy or a lick mat with slightly of her favourite paste deal with. Do that earlier than she licks your hair, no longer as a outcome, so that you’ll want to be told her delicate cues. You may realize she does it throughout quiet bonding moments or when looking for convenience. Providing her a toy, a grooming brush, or affection thru petting or sluggish blinking reinforces connection whilst educating her that closeness doesn’t must contain hair chewing.
Some cats additionally bite hair after they’re looking for sensory stimulation or feeling slightly frightened, so enriching their atmosphere with brief play classes and puzzle feeders can lend a hand. With consistency and mild redirection, Tiana will really feel protected and liked whilst studying fitter tactics to specific her affection.
You were given this!
– Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
Learn remaining week’s questions right here: October 27, 2025
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