Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we carry 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 mum or dad or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer solutions for your maximum urgent questions. From diet pointers and preventive care to troubleshooting commonplace behavioral problems, Dr. Paola is able to be offering insights that may stay your kitty glad, wholesome, and pussycat wonderful. Keep tuned for professional steerage on a spread of subjects that topic maximum to you and your cat, so you’ll be able to make knowledgeable choices and give you the absolute best conceivable handle your bushy spouse.
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Assist! My Hepper is Stressed out!
“Lily has been stressed since I was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has clean litter boxes, scooped every day, but decides to pee in one and poop on the floor near the other one. What is good to give her for her stress problems?” – Maria
Hello Maria,
At the beginning, I’m so sorry you’re going via this, and, understandably, Lily is selecting up at the adjustments and strain at house. Cats are liable to emotional shifts of their setting, and so they steadily categorical their misery via adjustments in muddle field use. Since she is urinating in a single field however defecating out of doors the opposite, it could be essential to first have her tested by way of your veterinarian to rule out clinical reasons equivalent to gastrointestinal discomfort or mobility problems, which will mimic stress-related conduct.
If she tests out wholesome, then serving to her really feel protected turns into the focal point. Offering consistency in her regimen, including an artificial pheromone diffuser within the spaces the place she spends maximum of her time, and providing enticing play or puzzle feeders can all lend a hand ease nervousness. Some cats additionally have the benefit of herbal calming dietary supplements, which might be to be had with no prescription. Those methods keep inside of secure obstacles and can also be very efficient in supporting her emotional well-being when you proceed taking good care of your self.
With time and mild reassurance, many cats regain their muddle field self belief as soon as their strain is eased. I’m hoping this is helping!
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
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Assist! What’s the Best possible Deal with for My Choosy Cats?
“Expensive Dr. Paola,
For a deal with, can I give my cats Callie and Roscoe common tuna (equivalent to Starkist), or must I stick to a cat meals deal with (equivalent to Fancy Dinner party flaked tuna)? They don’t like dry cat meals treats. “ – Carol
Hello Carol,
Thank you on your query. I will perceive short of Callie and Roscoe to revel in one thing they love. Undeniable canned tuna in water, like the sort made for other people, can also be given now and again in very small quantities as a different deal with. The worry with the usage of it extra steadily is that it isn’t a balanced nutrition for cats, so depending on it often may just result in dietary imbalances. Every other essential attention is that tuna can comprise hint quantities of heavy metals equivalent to mercury, which might collect within the frame through the years if eaten too often.
Hepper-specific tuna treats, just like the Fancy Dinner party possibility, are formulated to be secure for pussycat diet and are much less prone to pose the ones dangers if presented extra often. If you make a decision to provide simple tuna, stay parts tiny, extra like a style than a serving, and make a choice tuna packed in water with out added salt or flavorings. This manner, Callie and Roscoe can benefit from the taste with out compromising their long-term well being. Their primary nutrition must proceed to be a whole and balanced cat meals, with tuna staying within the “special treat” class.
Best possible,
– Dr. Paola
Assist! My Hepper Bites Me Once I Puppy Him!
“Once I’m petting and loving on my cat, Franklin, occasionally he simply turns round and
bites my hand or my arm, despite the fact that he was once simply purring. Why does he do this?“ – Cassy
Hello Cassy,
I know the way complicated or even occasionally hurtful it will probably really feel when a cat like Franklin is thankfully purring one second and biting the following. What you’re seeing is a commonplace conduct steadily known as “petting-induced aggression.” Some cats have a decrease tolerance for bodily touch, so whilst they revel in being shut and petted, they may be able to briefly achieve a threshold the place the feeling shifts from delightful to frustrating. As a result of cats keep in touch in large part via frame language, they will display delicate indicators ahead of the chew, equivalent to a twitching tail, flattened ears, or pores and skin rippling alongside the again.
Purring can occasionally be deceptive, since cats might purr no longer most effective when they’re content material but additionally when they’re apprehensive or conflicted. For Franklin, the chew is his method of claiming “that’s enough for now.” The most productive manner is to stay petting classes quick, pay shut consideration to his frame language, and prevent ahead of he feels the want to escalate. Through the years, you’ll be told his convenience window, and by way of respecting it, he’ll start to believe that his alerts are understood. This is helping take care of the affectionate bond whilst fighting the ones sudden bites.
Just right good fortune!
– Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
Learn ultimate week’s questions right here: October 13, 2025
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