Welcome to the Ask Dr. Paola series. Every Monday, we help our readers better understand their cat’s health and well-being with expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ).
Whether you’re a new pet parent or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is here to answer your most pressing questions. From nutritional tips and preventive care to troubleshooting common behavioral issues, Dr. Paola is ready to provide insight to keep your kitty happy, healthy, and healthy. feline Are you okay. We look forward to receiving expert advice on a variety of topics that are most important to you and your cat. That way, you can make informed decisions and provide the best care for your furry pet.
Have any questions? Send them here!
Help! My cat has excessive zoomies!
“I know all cats get zoomies, but my cat Hela’s zoomies are starting to feel excessive. She’s 14 years old and still eats 4-5 times a day without Actinella. Is there such a thing as too many zoomies?” – Percy
Frenzied Random Activity Periods (FRAP), most commonly known as “zoomies”, is a natural behavior that most cats exhibit. However, if the behavior occurs frequently, it is not considered normal. This behavior may indicate that your Hela is feeling stressed or irritated, and may need more mental and physical stimulation. Indoor cats need to be given several opportunities to burn off their energy. This means adding some climbing options and vertical space, providing puzzle feeders, a variety of rotating toys, and even a spinning wheel. It’s important to play with your cat at least two to three times a day so that he can move around and release some energy. If you’re already doing this with a laser pointer, this may actually be the reason behind Hera’s frequent FRAPs and zoomies.
Laser pointers are a great tool for motivating your cat, but they can also cause incredible frustration in your cat because this light appeals to your cat’s predatory instincts, which your cat will never be able to catch. . In other words, they never win. There are some laser pointer rules to follow. At the same time as you turn off the pointer, toss her a toy so she can successfully nibble and chew on tangible objects with her paws. If you feed them a tasty snack or dinner after this, you can complete the “hunting cycle” rather than leaving them on the phone.
Using synthetic pheromones to provide a calming environment for the paddlefish and providing several opportunities to hide safely can also help reduce stress in the paddlefish. These are just some of the options to consider, and the general idea is to give her a healthy outlet for her energy and provide a stress-free environment.
I wish you good luck!
Dr. Paola
Help! My cat seems to be able to see ghosts!
“Can cats see ghosts? My cat keeps staring at the wall like there’s no one there. What should I do here?”
” – Daniela
There are several possible reasons why your cat might be staring at a wall. Their senses are different from ours, and they can hear noises that we can’t hear due to their frequency range, and they may be able to smell things that you can’t detect. Often these are small animals hiding behind walls. Your cat may look interested and you may see its ears moving to track the source of the sound.
You didn’t mention age, but if your cat is older, she may have senile dementia or age-related cognitive impairment. Other possibilities include neurological problems such as partial or focal seizures. If you think this is the case, familiarize yourself with the other symptoms and record as much information as possible, such as when they occur, after what activities, how often, at what point in time, etc. Record a video if you have one. The more information you can provide your veterinarian, the more likely the diagnosis will be successful. However, a definitive diagnosis requires an electroencephalogram test. These are medical possibilities, and many people swear that cats have supernatural powers and can see ghosts, but there is no reliable evidence to prove it.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
Help! I want to go on holiday!
“My partner and I are thinking of going on a two-week holiday next year and have never left our three-year-old cat Jackson for more than two days. We are thinking of putting him in a cattery. But I also think a house sitter might be a better option in that case. How do I decide what’s best for him? – Gemma
Hello Gemma.
Cats are creatures of habit, solitary and territorial by nature. Their home is familiar territory for them. They take time each day to make sure every part of them is scented with the scent from their facial pheromones. Pheromones give them a sense of closeness and belonging, making them feel safe. It is often stressful for cats to be moved to a completely different location with many other cats. We recommend using a house sitter if possible. That way, not only will Jackson be taken care of, but your home will also be taken care of. We know that private sitters can be expensive, but we have some great services where you can replace your house sitter for free on a trust basis if you purchase an annual community membership. That way, you can enjoy your vacation more knowing that Jackson is comfortable.
Good luck and enjoy your vacation!
Dr. Paola
This article is part of the weekly Ask Dr. Paola series.
