Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we deliver knowledgeable recommendation straight 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 pet guardian or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer solutions to your most urgent questions. From vitamin ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may hold your kitty completely happy, wholesome, and feline positive. Keep tuned for knowledgeable steerage on a spread of matters that matter most to you and your cat, so you may make knowledgeable choices and supply the very best care to your furry companion.
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Assist! My Cat Loves Milk!
“Pricey Dr. Paola,
I’ve a male cat known as Sasja, 2½ years previous. He likes milk very a lot. Is giving cats milk, even in small portions, at all times dangerous to cats?” – Christian
Pricey Christian,
It’s beautiful to listen to about Sasja’s fondness for milk, however sadly, milk isn’t your best option for many grownup cats. Whereas kittens produce sufficient lactase—the enzyme wanted to interrupt down lactose in milk—this skill usually declines as they develop. Many grownup cats battle to digest dairy correctly, like people with lactose intolerance. Even small quantities can result in digestive upset, inflicting free stools, fuel, or abdomen discomfort.
If Sasja enjoys the style of milk, you would possibly contemplate lactose-free cat milk, which is particularly formulated to be secure for feline digestion. Alternatively, if he merely enjoys the routine of a particular deal with, you possibly can supply small quantities of water-diluted goat milk or a cat-friendly broth as a substitute. This manner, he can nonetheless have a comforting deal with with out the potential tummy troubles.
Type regards and greatest needs,
Dr. Paola
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Assist! I Want Introduction Ideas!
“Hello Dr. Paola,
I introduced an 8-week-old kitten residence and we even have two 12-year-old cats in the home. What are your greatest introduction ideas and the way do we all know when it’s secure to allow them to work together freely? Thanks so very a lot!” – Chad
Hello Chad. Bringing a brand new kitten into a house with senior cats requires endurance and a considerate introduction course of to make sure a clean transition. The perfect recommendation I may give you is to not rush it. Cats are territorial, and sudden introductions can create stress and pressure. As an alternative of speeding, give your older cats time to regulate by establishing a separate area for the kitten, full with meals, water, a litter field, and secure hiding spots. This enables your resident cats to turn into conversant in the kitten’s scent with out feeling instantly threatened. It additionally permits the kitten to settle into the brand new atmosphere and really feel extra calm and safe.
You’ll be able to pace up scent change by swapping bedding between them and utilizing a mushy fabric to rub one cat, after which the opposite, so they begin associating one another’s scent with one thing acquainted.
As soon as the scent introduction part goes easily, enable temporary, supervised visible conferences by a child gate or cracked door. Throughout these first introductions, it’s clue to observe their physique language intently. Indicators like flattened ears, raised fur, hissing, or growling point out unease or pressure, whereas relaxed postures and curiosity recommend they’re adjusting nicely. In case you see indicators of constructive physique language, go forward and provides them a yummy deal with; don’t give one if pressure is within the air. If issues are going nicely you possibly can regularly progress to quick, supervised interactions in a impartial area, and proceed utilizing constructive reinforcement resembling treats or mild reward to create constructive associations. It is vitally necessary to provide them time and keep away from forcing interactions. You could additionally guarantee your senior cats have secure escape routes in the event that they really feel overwhelmed.
I cannot stress sufficient the significance of statement; you’ll comprehend it’s secure to allow them to work together freely when their encounters stay calm—that means no aggressive chasing, swatting with claws prolonged, or extended growling. Some hissing or temporary corrections from the older cats are regular as they set up boundaries, but it surely mustn’t escalate into extended hostility.
Needless to say since your older cat is prone to have completely different power ranges than the kitten, you could guarantee they’ve excessive perches or quiet retreat areas the place they will chill out undisturbed. With endurance and cautious monitoring, most cats alter over time, but it surely’s at all times necessary to go at their tempo, give them some personal area, and do the work to strengthen constructive associations to be able to keep a harmonious family.
I want you good luck,
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Cat Seems to Be Humping?
“My 13.5-year-old neutered cat, Tuffy, has developed an uncommon behavior over the previous few years. When kneading a mushy microfiber blanket, he regularly enters a trance-like state and begins rhythmic actions resembling humping, although no direct contact or fluid discharge happens. He stops both on his personal or when gently interrupted, after which he instantly licks himself, seemingly to scale back discomfort relatively than for additional stimulation. No medical points have been discovered throughout common veterinary consultations. Tuffy has been well-socialized with different cats and stays lively and wholesome. Might this be a self-soothing habits, a discovered behavior, or one thing else completely?” – Ben
Hello Ben!
Tuffy’s habits, whereas uncommon, just isn’t completely unusual in neutered male cats. Kneading is a deeply ingrained kitten habits related to nursing, and lots of cats proceed doing it into maturity as a self-soothing mechanism. The trance-like state suggests he’s extremely targeted and relaxed, very similar to how some cats suckle on cloth or toys. The humping movement layered onto this ritual may be a discovered or compulsive habits that developed over time, probably strengthened by the pleasurable sensation of kneading a mushy floor. By the best way, have you ever examine Olga’s Toy Trance? Tuffy just isn’t the one one with a consolation blanket.
Despite the fact that Tuffy was neutered as a kitten, a cat’s mind nonetheless retains some instinctual behaviors associated to mating. Some neutered males proceed to point out mounting or thrusting behaviors, particularly after they’re notably content material or overstimulated. It’s fascinating that he doesn’t search out different objects or interact on this habits exterior of his kneading classes, suggesting it’s extra of a comfort-driven behavior relatively than a hormonally pushed one. His post-kneading licking would possibly merely be a solution to quiet down after an episode relatively than an indication of discomfort or irritation.
Since this has been occurring for years and there are not any accompanying medical considerations, it’s doubtless a innocent, self-soothing habits. Nonetheless, in case you ever discover modifications resembling extreme licking, swelling, issue urinating, or indicators of discomfort, a veterinary check-up could be a good suggestion to rule out urinary or penile points. If this habits ever begins interfering together with his each day life or turns into obsessive, a teletriage veterinary service may assist assess whether or not intervention is required. You could possibly e book a name with considered one of our skilled veterinarians at PangoVet when you’ve got extra questions or need some help. However because it stands, it appears like Tuffy has merely discovered his very private solution to unwind!
I hope this helps,
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
