Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we deliver skilled 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 supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that can hold your kitty joyful, wholesome, and feline nice. Keep tuned for skilled steering on a spread of matters that matter most to you and your cat, so you can also make knowledgeable choices and supply the very best care on your furry companion.
Have a question? Send it in here!
Assist! My Cat Has Dandruff!
“Hello Dr. Paola,
JR is a 7 and ¾ year-old British Brief hair Tuxedo cat. JR simply developed dandruff. I brush her day by day. JR is fed Blue Buffalo Tastefuls and Sheba cuts day by day. What are you able to counsel? “- Bobbi
Hello Bobbi,
Dandruff in cats, which veterinarians name seborrhea sicca, typically seems when the pores and skin barrier turns into just a little dry or the traditional turnover of pores and skin cells hurries up. In lots of in any other case wholesome cats round JR’s age, the most typical causes are mild dehydration, lowered grooming effectivity, seasonal dryness within the dwelling, or early weight acquire that makes it tougher to achieve the decrease again. The flakes typically present up over the rump or close to the bottom of the tail as a result of that space is the toughest for a cat to groom. Because you already brush her day by day, you’re serving to take away free scales and stimulating the pores and skin to remain wholesome.
From a diet standpoint, the pores and skin behaves like a brick wall, the place fatty acids act because the mortar that retains every thing sealed and hydrated. Diets that present ample omega-3 fatty acids, significantly EPA and DHA from marine sources, can help that barrier and infrequently enhance gentle dandruff over a number of weeks. Including a small quantity of a veterinary fish oil complement designed for cats could assist, offered JR has no historical past of pancreatitis or weight considerations. Guaranteeing good hydration additionally issues for pores and skin well being, so persevering with moist meals resembling Sheba and inspiring water consumption may be useful. Environmental humidity can play a task as properly, and a humidifier generally reduces dry pores and skin in indoor cats.
If the dandruff is heavy, greasy, related to hair thinning, itching, weight change, or lowered grooming, it’s value having JR examined as a result of dandruff can often accompany circumstances resembling weight problems, arthritis that limits grooming, exterior parasites like Cheyletiella mites, or underlying endocrine illness. If JR in any other case appears comfy and the flakes are gentle, a veterinary teletriage service like ours at PangoVet will help you identify whether or not easy dwelling changes are cheap or if a hands-on examination ought to be scheduled. Early analysis helps be certain that what seems to be like a small pores and skin change just isn’t the primary signal of one thing deeper affecting her total well being.
Regards,
– Dr. Paola
Can I Talk With My Cat?
“How can I talk with my cat?” – Pheobe
Pricey Phoebe,
Speaking together with your cat is much less about phrases and extra about studying her language, which is superbly refined and constant when you begin noticing it. Cats rely closely on physique posture, tail place, ear motion, and eye contact. A relaxed cat with a softly upright tail and slow blinks is basically “smiling” at you. You possibly can reply her by blinking slowly again and softening your gaze, which many cats interpret as belief and security. Consider it like talking in a quiet, respectful tone somewhat than a loud dialog. Then again, a flicking tail, flattened ears, or a tense physique are indicators she wants house, and respecting that builds belief over time.
Your voice nonetheless issues, however extra for tone than vocabulary. Cats can study to affiliate sure phrases or sounds with routines like feeding or play, particularly for those who hold them constant and pair them with constructive experiences. Light, predictable interactions resembling feeding, grooming, or play classes act like “shared conversations” the place Phoebe learns what to anticipate from you. Play, particularly, is a robust communication software as a result of it mimics pure searching habits, serving to her really feel understood on an instinctive degree.
Lastly, take note of how Phoebe communicates again. Every cat develops a unique “dialect” of meows, trills, and gestures. If you reply constantly, you’re primarily constructing a shared language collectively. In case you ever really feel uncertain about modifications in her habits or communication patterns, at Pangovet, we will help you interpret whether or not it’s merely persona or one thing that will want nearer consideration.
Finest needs,
– Dr. Paola
Assist! My Cat Scratches on the Door!
“Milo is a rescue that got here from our vet. He consistently scratches on the door to our bed room. The door body is right down to the wooden. How will we cease him from scratching on the door?” – Linda
Linda, you aren’t alone.
It’s quite common for rescue cats like Milo to scratch at doors, particularly bed room doorways, as a result of for him, that door represents each separation and one thing significant taking place on the opposite facet. Scratching is not only about his claws; it’s communication and stress reduction, a bit like somebody knocking repeatedly after they really feel unnoticed. Many cats do that at evening as a result of they’re naturally extra lively and search social contact, routine, or entry to most well-liked areas.
The simplest strategy is to redirect, not punish. Place a sturdy scratching publish or horizontal scratcher proper subsequent to the door he targets, and make it far more appealing than the body through the use of catnip or treats. On the similar time, shield the door body briefly with a plastic guard or double-sided tape, since cats dislike that texture. Consistency issues right here; if he scratches and ultimately will get consideration or the door opens, even often, the habits turns into bolstered. Establishing a predictable night routine with interactive play adopted by a meal may assist him settle, since this mimics the pure hunt, eat, relaxation cycle and reduces nighttime frustration.
If the habits feels intense or out of the blue worsens, it may generally mirror underlying anxiousness or unmet environmental wants somewhat than stubbornness. In these circumstances, at PangoVet, we will help you assess whether or not environmental enrichment is sufficient or if extra help is required.
Good luck!
– Dr. Paola
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If you would like to speak with a vet, like Dr. Paola or certainly one of our different skilled veterinarians, you possibly can head over to PangoVet. It is our on-line service the place you possibly can discuss with a vet on-line and get the recommendation you want on your cat — all at an reasonably priced worth!
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- Learn final week’s questions right here: March 23, 2026
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