Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each and every Monday we convey knowledgeable 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 on 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 glad, wholesome, and pussycat high-quality. Keep tuned for knowledgeable steerage on a spread of subjects that topic maximum to you and your cat, so you’ll make knowledgeable selections and give you the perfect imaginable handle your hairy spouse.
Have a query? Ship it in right here!
Assist! I Wish to Shuttle With My Cats!
“Hello Dr. Paola,
We’re looking to make it much less traumatic for our cats, Kraken and Yetti, to trip. We’ve a holiday house about 5 hours away and want to convey our cats after we cross there. We’ve long past two times using with them. They’re in a large crate that has some fluffy issues to lie on and a couple of toys. I additionally installed a small clutter field simply in case. Each occasions, certainly one of them has gotten unwell. I quilt the crate with a blanket so they are able to’t see anything else. They cry virtually at all times. I placed on some cushy classical song, gave them some treats, or even attempted some catnip, and I purchased some collars that should give off some pheromones to calm them down, however they clearly don’t paintings.
I’d just put the collars across the crate as a result of they received’t put on them. So my query is, what else can I do to make touring with them more uncomplicated for them? It breaks my middle that they get so wound up. We even play with them ahead of we get them within the crate to take a look at and put on them out, however that doesn’t actually paintings. What are your ideas and proposals in this? Thanks prematurely, “- Linda
I think you, Linda.
Shuttle can really feel overwhelming for plenty of cats since the movement, unfamiliar scents, and lack of regulate disrupt their sense of protection. It feels like you might be already doing such a lot of considerate issues for Kraken and Yetti, and their reactions are quite common. Cats ceaselessly revel in motion-related nausea in conjunction with fear-based pressure, just like how some other folks really feel queasy and concerned when driving in a automobile. The usage of a protected service that seems like a secure den is perfect, despite the fact that masking it utterly every so often makes the movement extra disorienting. Leaving a part of the service exposed can provide them a visible anchor and would possibly lend a hand cut back the nausea that ceaselessly ends up in vomiting throughout automobile rides.
Earlier than your subsequent travel, providing a gentle desensitization plan may also be very useful. Quick apply periods the place the cats input the service, then take a seat within the parked automobile for a couple of mins, and in the end take very quick drives have a tendency to construct predictability and self assurance. Artificial pheromone sprays have higher proof for calming results when carried out within the service about fifteen mins ahead of loading the cats, fairly than the usage of collars positioned externally. Many cats trip extra conveniently when the service is secured so it does no longer sway, the temperature within the car is cool, and they’ve get admission to to acquainted bedding that smells like house. Since vomiting is going on, it could be smart to talk together with your veterinarian about nausea regulate as a result of drugs which are to be had with a prescription.
Just right success!
– Dr. Paola
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Assist! My Kitten Bites & Swats Me!
“SOX is 13 weeks outdated and desires to chew a scratch us after we wish to deal with him. He used to be a rescue we were given from our vet and is in very good well being and up to the moment with all his photographs. Is there a strategy to lend a hand him forestall the biting? Thank you,“ – William
Hello William,
Younger kittens like SOX ceaselessly use their mouths and paws the similar manner children use their fingers; they discover, take a look at obstacles, and apply searching abilities. At 13 weeks, the need to pounce and nip could be very customary, particularly if play periods transform overstimulating or if he has no longer but discovered find out how to keep an eye on his chew energy. The function is to softly information him towards suitable habits with out developing worry. When he turns into mouthy throughout dealing with, frivolously forestall the interplay and redirect him to a toy that permits him to chew and kick safely. This teaches him that fingers are for affection, and toys are for tough play.
Constant certain reinforcement is your most powerful instrument. Be offering reward or a tiny meals praise when he chooses calm habits throughout dealing with, just like rewarding a kid for opting for quiet play as an alternative of roughhousing. Quick, predictable dealing with periods all the way through the day lend a hand him be informed that being touched is secure. Interactive toys that mimic prey motion too can burn off the additional power that ceaselessly drives biting. When you ever really feel not sure whether or not the habits is solely play-related or if pressure is contributing, please be happy to make use of our 1:1 carrier at PangoVet. We’d feel free that can assist you with customized recommendation. With persistence and transparent steerage, maximum kittens outgrow this section and transform splendidly affectionate partners.
Very best,
– Dr. Paola
Assist! Do My Cats Know I Love Them?
“Hello Dr. Paola,
I will’t lend a hand hugging and kissing and telling Darwin and Breebree I really like them. My query is, do they sense in the ones moments how a lot I really like them? “– Michael
Hello once more, expensive Michael. Cats perceive affection in their very own language, and whilst they would possibly not interpret hugging or kissing the similar manner people do, they definitely acknowledge the mild tone, comfy frame posture, and cushy interactions that include loving consideration. In keeping with pussycat habits analysis, cats are professional at studying human emotional cues. Your calm voice, sluggish actions, and the acquainted smell you convey act very just like a convenience blanket that tells them they’re secure. Many cats reply by way of leaning in, purring, blinking slowly, or just opting for to stick shut, all indicators that they affiliate you with safety and certain reviews.
Bring to mind it as talking other dialects of the similar emotional language. You categorical love thru contact and phrases, whilst Darwin and Breebree answer thru their frame language and their willingness to percentage area with you. When a cat chooses to settle close to you or relaxes for your fingers, it displays believe, and believe is the pussycat model of a heartfelt declaration. Their working out will not be verbal, however they completely understand the heat in the back of your movements.
Please give Darwin and Breebree an additional kiss these days, despatched from Dr. Paola.
– Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
Learn closing week’s questions right here: December 1, 2025
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