Welcome to the “Ask Dr. Paola” series. Here we bring you expert advice directly from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) every Monday, ensuring that readers get a better understanding of cat health and well-being.
Whether you’re a new pet parent or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is here to provide answers to your most pressing questions. From nutritional tips and preventive care to troubleshooting common behavioral issues, Dr. Paola is ready to provide insights that will keep your kitten happy and healthy. Cat Are you okay. Stay tuned for expert guidance on the various topics that are most important to you and your cat. This way you can make informed decisions and provide the best possible care to your furry companions.
Do you have a question? Send it here!
Help! My cat’s back is in pain!
“Dear Dr. Paola,
My kitten boy, Mash, will turn 14 in May. I noticed that his back hurts near his tail. Can you give him something healthy for his kidneys and liver? ” – Nikki
Hello Nikki,
Thank you for being a very loving and observant pet parent to your sweet mash. At almost 14 years old, he is in a golden age, but it is not uncommon for older cats to experience discomfort under their waists or near the base of their tail. This area can be a hot spot for age-related changes such as arthritis and discomfort from other areas such as the lower back and spine. Just as older people may feel the elderly get out of bed, older people can get inflamed and can make certain movements and touch them.
Before considering any supplements or treatments, it is important to first identify what is causing the pain. There are joint supply options like omega-3 fatty acids (from high quality fish oil), glucosamine, or green mussels, but it is best for the kidneys to first rule out other potential problems, rather than green, which can be gentle on the liver and kidneys. Mash is a senior so it is recommended to schedule a veterinary exam. Ideally, it would be a blood test or an X-ray. These guide you to a safe choice and ensure that supplements or drugs support his overall health. With proper care, many older cats like mash can keep them comfortable, aggressive and aggressive.
The best,
Dr. Paola
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Help! Cats need help in liking each other!
“Hello Dr. Paola!
I have Rooney, the cat who adopted me 16 months ago. I already have three cats. Rooney is about 2 years old. When I found him, I took him to the vet and got all his shots and he was castrated.
I took him home and separated him in a special cat room with cat doors, windows, so that he could see the water, the fountains and the little robot! Gradually, we strolled around the house with a leash on the Rooney, the other cats could see him and he could smell the other cats. A year later I removed him from the string and let him run around the house. It caused a huge problem. One of my cats, a man named Geo, doesn’t like Rooney at all and gets mad every time he sees him. I don’t know how to make these cats fall in love with each other! Please help!“ – Christine
Hello Christine,
Thank you for sharing your thoughtful, progressive, and loving approach. It sounds like you really went beyond that for Rooney, and it’s clear that your heart is completely dedicated to all your cat companions. Integrating new cats into the home with established elderly cats can sometimes feel like introducing young whirlwinds to a quiet old village. Even if it is slowly introduced, some personalities collide naturally, especially when newcomers are still young and full of energy, and resident cats like GIO have established a sense of territory and everyday life.
Gio’s strong response suggests that Looney’s presence may be threatened or overwhelmed. Especially when Looney is playful or has determined that Gio will get in the way. Cats are control creatures, and changes in the environment and social structure can make them deeply unsettling. We have already made careful introductions, but in such cases, we need to go back to some steps and gradually reintroduce them using structured positive reinforcements. Think of it as rebuilding a volatile bridge with patience and confidence: small steps, well supported.
A technique called “site swapping” allows you to spend time in Rooney’s special room and get used to the Rooney scent as Rooney is trapped elsewhere. They start to connect each other with a good experience, such as snacks and play, as both cats pair the visual access between them with what they love. Veterinarian-recommended multicat synthetic pheromone diffusers and calming supplements can also help relieve underlying tension. If things continue to get stuck, working with cat activists can make a difference in the world. They have the experience needed to pay attention to subtle clues and can adjust specific strategies to your unique home dynamics. Due to its time, support and consistency, many cats learn to tolerate or enjoy the presence of former housemates.
Good luck,
Dr. Paola
Could you help me determine when my cat breeds?
“Dear Dr. Paola,
Please, which breed is my beloved cat George? I thought of Angola in Turkish, but his vet says he’s not sure, maybe the main coon. He has a beautiful large bushy tail, 5 kg, and almost eight months. “ – Charlotte
Hello Charlotte,
Thank you for sharing a little about your amazing George. He sounds absolutely fantastic, and with his big, bushy tail and solid build of just eight months, it’s no wonder he’s getting attention! His trait may be similar to the characteristics of breeds like the Turkish Angola and Maine Coon, but the only way to know for sure is to use a cat DNA test. These tests can reveal the ancestors, coat characteristics, and even potential health markers of the breed, giving George an attractive glimpse into what is unique. It is worth noting that knowing the breed from the photos alone is often challenging, and unless he has pedigree documents, George is likely a beautiful mixed cat with traits reminiscent of one or more long-fed breeds. But that doesn’t make him that special. In fact, some of the most attractive personalities and unique looks come from these fun blends.
That being said, whether he turns out to have purebred roots or a beautiful blend of several strains, all cats are perfect in their own way. Their charm, quirks, and relationships come not from the pedigree, but from the bonds they share with us, and it sounds like George has found exactly where he belongs. Incidentally, feel free to add a picture of him to our cat’s this week’s contest. I love seeing photos of my readers’ beloved pets! I look forward to that photo!
Dr. Paola
This article is part of the weekly question Dr. Paola series
