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Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each and every Monday we carry professional recommendation directly 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 mother or father or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions for your maximum urgent questions. From vitamin guidelines and preventive care to troubleshooting commonplace behavioral problems, Dr. Paola is able to be offering insights that may stay your kitty satisfied, wholesome, and pussycat nice. Keep tuned for professional steering on a spread of subjects that topic maximum to you and your cat, so you’ll be able to make knowledgeable selections and give you the best possible conceivable take care of your hairy significant other.
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Assist! I Am Nervous My Hepper Would possibly Get Fleas!
“ Can you give a recommendation for flea treatments for Persian cats? My cat is mostly indoors but sometimes the neighbor’s outdoor cat comes around and I worry she will get fleas from him” – Flowers (Mother to Lola)
Hello Flowers,It’s nice that you simply’re taking into account flea prevention for Lola, particularly given the possible publicity from neighboring outside cats. Even indoor cats will also be liable to flea infestations, as fleas can input properties on clothes or via open home windows.
For Persian cats, with their sumptuous lengthy coats, topical remedies are steadily efficient and easy to use. Those remedies usually be offering coverage in opposition to fleas for a month and will have to be reapplied promptly to care for their efficacy.
Sooner than starting up any flea remedy, it’s the most important to talk over with your veterinarian. They may be able to supply steering adapted to Lola’s weight and explicit well being wishes, making sure the selected product is each secure and efficient for her.
Best possible needs!Dr. Paola
Symbol Credit score: Alexandra Morosanu, Shutterstock
Assist! My Hepper Doesn’t Like Her Meals!
“We rescued our cat Dolly just about six months in the past and her consuming conduct are nonetheless somewhat abnormal. She doesn’t appear to love a lot of what we provide her, and after about one week of luck with a meals, she modifies her thoughts once more. This occurs with rainy and dry meals. What will have to we do? – Stephen
It’s now not unusual for rescued cats like Dolly to provide behavioral issues, and plenty of are very delicate to environmental stimuli. All cats, however particularly rescue cats, are delicate to fret, so it’s necessary to spot and decrease doable stressors, similar to noisy spaces, unfamiliar scents, or disruptions of their regimen, as those can have an effect on their urge for food. It’s additionally a really perfect concept to keep in mind of Dolly’s personal tastes for textures and flavors, similar to pâté as opposed to shredded or explicit protein assets like hen or fish, and believe providing fine quality, commercially to be had contemporary cat meals.
Those choices are steadily extra interesting because of their herbal style and aroma, and they’re entire and balanced to satisfy her dietary wishes. It’s essential additionally attempt to trap her urge for food by way of blending a bit of little bit of species-appropriate meals into her vitamin, similar to cat-safe bone broth or small parts of cooked hen, turkey, or fish, which will also be extra engaging and nutritious. Cats who devour a number of meals generally tend to evolve higher and are much less at risk of changing into fixated on a unmarried vitamin, which will also be really useful for his or her long-term well being.
Progressively introduce new meals to steer clear of digestive dissatisfied and care for a constant feeding time table in a peaceful, quiet area. If Dolly’s pickiness persists or she presentations indicators of digestive misery or weight reduction, seek the advice of your veterinarian to run some assessments and rule out any underlying scientific problems affecting her urge for food.
Sincerely,Dr. Paola
Symbol Credit score: JackieLou DL, Pixabay
Assist! My Hepper Will get Hairballs!
“I have read that cats shouldn’t get hairballs, but it is often a stereotype I hear about cats, that they get hairballs. Why is this? And why do so many cats get them if they shouldn’t? My cat Kaley gets them every so often and I’m feeling a bit guilty when I read this is not normal” – Chris (Dad to Kaley)
Chris, please don’t really feel accountable—simply the truth that you’ve spotted Kaley’s hairball factor and are prepared to deal with it presentations how a lot you take care of her, which is actually admirable. Whilst it’s a commonplace false impression that hairballs are standard for cats, they’re now not one thing that are supposed to happen frequently. Cats naturally ingest hair whilst grooming, however their digestive techniques are designed to go it via their stool. Hairballs occur when extra hair accumulates within the abdomen and will’t be expelled, steadily because of a vitamin missing in moisture or fiber, over the top grooming, and even underlying problems like gastrointestinal motility issues. There are some things you’ll be able to take a look at. The primary and maximum useful step for Kaley is to make sure she’s on a high-moisture vitamin, similar to fine quality rainy or contemporary cat meals, as this helps digestion and is helping hair transfer easily via her machine. You will have to additionally believe a water fountain. Common brushing to take away free fur and tracking for pressure or doable pores and skin stipulations that may reason over-grooming too can make a large distinction. If hairballs transform widespread otherwise you understand different indicators like vomiting, adjustments in urge for food, or lethargy, consulting your veterinarian is one of the best ways to rule out underlying reasons and create a control plan adapted for her. You’re already doing such a lot simply by being proactive—Kaley is fortunate to have you ever!
Type regards,Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
