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Should I Take My Senior Norwegian Forest Cat to a Specialist for Saddle...
I have a twelve year old female Norwegian Forest Cat. She has diabetes and is on Lantus 3units bid. She also has congestve heart problems and take Vetmedin and furosimide. The day before yesterday she started limping on he right rear leg. Within a few hours she was dragging her hind legs and panting from pain. We brought her to an emergency hospital They said she had Saddle Thrombus. We didn't want he hospitalized so they gave her a Exoxaparin shot and Clopidrogel, gabbapentin and buprenorphine for home administration. Both our vet and the hospital vet recommended euthanasia but we won't do that. Our vet said then to continue with the meds and hope in a few days it dissolves. Which he says is unlikely. Yet her anal temp is 98.7. He rear legs are still stiff and colder than the front legs .Should we take he to a specialist? What sort of specialist? My vet says they'll want to hospitalize her to see a specialist. What can I do from here? She's not in pain yet (after a methadone shot 15 hours ago) and is eating and in good spirits.
How Can I Stop My Bengal From Scratching Her Infected Ear Wound?
My cat has an ear puncture from a suspected cat fight. It had gotten infected and filled up with pus. We took her to the vet and got a dose of antibiotics a few days ago. But subsequently scratched her wound and opened it up again. It doesn’t look infected, but she has made it weepy and is constantly scratching it open. What can I do to stop her from scratching it?
Is It Cruel to Bring My Bonded Tabby Cats Indoors to Live in a Small Apa...
Is it cruel to trap my bonded feral cats I’ve been caring for and bring them inside to live in my small basement apt
Why Is My Two Month Old Persian Siamese Kitten Having Diarrhea After Eat...
My cat Loki has been pooping since he eats rice which is foreign on him because he only eats cat food (kibble). He poops many times as usual and it has color yellowish white like grayish something. He seems unwell, weaker (not energetic) and he refuses to drink water sometimes
Help! My Cat Is Licking the Walls!
“Hi there Dr Paola, Our calico cat Louise has taken to licking walls, faux-wooden doors, and whatever else happens to be nearby. I am concerned both about this odd behavior and its potential impact on her health. Please advise!” Nancy
Help! My Cat is Obsessed with Chewing on Plastic!
“Dear Dr Paola, My cat Pompom is obsessed with chewing on plastic. What should I do?” Andrew
Help! My Cat Seeks My Attention!
“Hi Dr Paola! My cat, Jellybean (aka Meepie), purrs very loudly when I pet her. She will chase my hands until I pet her and she gets in the way of projects. She doesn’t do this for anyone else. I live at a different house for two-thirds of the time; could that be the reason? Does she just miss me?” – Eve
Help! My Cat Has Rodent Ulcers!
“Hi Dr. Paola, Sonny, my 15-year-old cat, was diagnosed several years ago with rodent ulcers in his mouth. He had regular monthly injections for a long time until they didn’t seem to be helping anymore. I found a supplement that helped for the past 2-3 years but now the condition is flaring up again and he appears to be in pain. What do you suggest?” – Mary Helen
Help! Is Prozac the Best Option for Anxiety?!
“Hi Dr. Paola, My kitty is on transdermal Prozac for redirected aggression that started last year. We tried the slow reintroduction and another trigger sent them into a frenzy again. Is Prozac the best option for anxiety in cats, or are there better transdermal options, because there’s no way we can get pills into this kitty! Thank you!!!” – Nicole
Help! My Cat No Longer Wants Wet Food!
“Dear Dr. Paola, My almost 5-year-old Tuxedo male, Leo, no longer wants wet food. I’ve tried different brands/types to get moisture into him to no avail. He will only eat dry food, and sometimes vomits it up shortly after. He does drink water. What do you suggest? “ – Laura
Help! My Cat Is Itchy!
“Hi Dr. Paola, Seraphina is itchy. She has one balding spot on her back between her shoulders, and I’ve noticed some tiny scabs behind her ears. There are no fleas. I comb her daily with a fine-toothed comb and no flea poop. Is there an over-the-counter spray I can use on her? I think she might have allergies like me. Thank you.” – Heidi
Help! Should I Be Adding Taurine to My Cat’s Food?!
“Hi Dr. Paola, Avishai is a Maine Coon, and we add taurine to his food. What are your thoughts about this? He is just over a year old and healthy. We have him on Royal Canin wet and dry kitten formula, and being a Maine Coon and a slow grower, we plan on keeping him on it for 15 or 16 months old. Thank you for your advice. “ – Denny
Help! My Momma Cat Is Very Thin!
“Dear Dr. Paola, My feral Momma Cat (who is not even a year old) has had her 5 babies, and I have gotten her to let me pet her. She’s a perfect momma. But she has gotten so thin. What can I give her to gain some weight? I will get her “fixed” as soon as kittens are weaned, and they are eating cat food!! Going on 7 weeks! “ – Sandra
Help! My Cat Has Hard Fur Clumps!
“Dear Dr. Paola, “What is the best way to take hard fur off your cat without hurting him?” – Sussane
Help! My Cat Has Developed a Spot on Her Nose!
“Our puss cat is nearly 14 years old and is in very good health, generally. However, over the past few days, she has developed a little freckle on her white nose. It doesn’t feel raised or look sore. It’s just a brown dot. It does seem to have gotten slightly bigger, but still only tiny. I would say it’s no more than 1–2 mm wide. It looks bigger as her nose is white, so it stands out. I wonder if you have any idea what this could be, please? Thank you for your help . ” – Linda & Snickets
Help! How Do I Know if My Cat Has Ear Mites!
“Mr. Weasley, my cat, keeps scratching at his ears and has caused them to bleed externally. I’ve looked inside his ears, and he has something black inside. His hearing is fine; he can hear anything, especially the dinner bowls. I don’t know if it’s ear mites, but not sure how to treat or clean them.“- Virginia
Help! My Cat Has Always Wants Treats!
“Dear Dr. Paola, I trained my cat Snowshoe not to scratch the furniture by giving her treats every time she used her scratch post, but she took it as begging for treats, and now she expects treats every time she scratches her post. If I don’t give her treats, then she scratches the furniture. How do I get her to stop this? ” – Roxanne
Help! My Cat Cries at the Door Constantly!
“I live in a large apartment complex with an enclosed courtyard. Good boy, the cat I accepted from someone who had to move has been going out into this courtyard for months. The rules have changed, and all pets, even cats, must be on a leash when outside. I have been trying to keep this 6-year-old cat inside, but he cries at the door constantly. How long before he gives up crying to go outside, or are there any other suggestions? Thanks.” – Reitha
Help! My Cat Is Peeing on My Bed!
“Why does my cat Tuxedo pee on my bedding, and on top of me? Our vet says nothing is physically wrong. This morning, he just got on top of me in bed and peed on me. He has a very clean litter box and uses it at all other times. About once every 7 to 10 days, he does this.“- Judy
Help! My Cat Has Suddenly Started Hissing & Growling!
"Dear Dr. Paola, Juno is a spayed female. DOB 06/22/22. No new animals, no changes in the household. She has been checked by the vet. X-rays, blood work, and urinalysis. She was put on Gabapentin, as there was a possibility she was in some pain. Also, to calm her. Out of the blue, she has started hissing and growling whenever I pass by her in the kitchen/dining room. I'm walking around on eggshells. I've been told by some people that it's because she's Siamese. She is part Siamese. I am the one who feeds her, cleans her litter, and does everything when it comes to her needs. She will climb into my lap and purr and sleep and be sweet and affectionate and then jump down sometimes after being on my lap for more than an hour, walk into the dining room, and if I walk past, she will growl and hiss. I'm so upset, I'm sure she's picking up the tension from me. The vet has suggested Prozac. I would really like your opinion." - Colleen
Help! My Rescue Has Bizarre Eating Habits!
"Hi Dr. Paola, I just got Gypsy from the SPCA two weeks ago, and she has just about stopped hiding and is getting closer to me. One habit she has puzzles me. She eats her soft food with her right paw, i.e., she dips it in her food and then licks it and keeps doing that until she has eaten half her bowl. Then later she eats normally. Apart from that, she is not fussy. She eats any flavors I have given her, and she has a good appetite. Have you ever heard of such quirky behaviour?" - Colette
Help! My Cat's Skin Turned Black!
"Hello, Dr. Paola. Maylee is 16 and an indoor house cat. She developed a fairly large area where her skin pigment turned from creamy white to black, and all the hair fell out in that area. It runs from a little near the neck and spine and gets bigger as it runs down towards her tummy. She scratched it so that there were sores in 2 smaller areas. I immediately called the Dr and took her in. I told him that I had never seen anything like that on her. She has never been sick except for some serious scratching, thanks, I think, to our SC pine pollen, for which I gave her some homeopathic drops, which seemed to help. Anyway, He gave her two shots, an antihistamine and an antibiotic. He gave me a topical cream, Animax nystatin-neomycin sulfate, to apply twice a day. Two weeks later, the same thing happened, but I asked for a blood panel to be done. She has always refused to drink water (so I added water to every meal) until just recently, I praised her every time she went near her water bowl, so I was worried about her kidneys. Dr said he wasn't worried because the sores went away. She had stopped scratching because I was lubricating the area twice a day. What could this be?"- Kathleen
How Do I Catch a Wild Pregnant Cat?
Hello Dr. Paola, We are trying to catch a wild, pregnant mother cat so we can have her spayed. We have live traps set, but it would be nice to have something natural to calm and sedate her so we can safely catch her, and also so she does not harm herself. Can you help us? We also have 5 or 6 wild kittens, 10 months old in the same situation. Thank you! - Tony
Help! My cat refuses to drink water!
My cat Greta refuses to drink water and continuously sticks her tongue in and out. What do I do?
Help! I Am Worried About My Cats Hydration!
“What can I do to keep Cleo hydrated? She won’t eat wet food or wet treats.” – Merryanne
How Do I Fix Tear Stains?
“I adopted a Persian cat, Gia. Her nose is not too squished in, so she can breathe normally, which is wonderful, but she gets tear stains pretty badly. Why is this? And what can I do to help?” – Macklin
Help! My Cat is Restless After Puking!
“On occasion, after my cat vomits, she starts walking around restlessly, going towards corners of the room and finding dust or hair the vacuum didn’t pick up, and eats it. What could this mean? “- Jenny
Why Is My Cat Scratching The Bedroom Door?
“Milo is a rescue that came from our vet. He constantly scratches at the door to our bedroom. The door frame is down to the wood. How do we stop him from scratching at the door?” – Linda
How Can I Understand My Cat Better?
“How can I communicate with my cat?” – Pheobe
Why Does My Senior British Shorthair Have Dandruff?
“Hi Dr. Paola, JR is a 7 and ¾ year-old British Short hair Tuxedo cat. JR just developed dandruff. I brush her daily. JR is fed Blue Buffalo Tastefuls and Sheba cuts daily. What can you suggest? “- Bobbi
Is My New Kitten Sick and Should He Stay Away From My Senior Cat?
What could be wrong with my kitten and should I keep my 10 year old cat away from him?
Why Is My Senior Tabby Suddenly Aggressive and Howling?
I adopted Leo from a shelter 8 months ago from a shelter. He settled in fine but in the past few weeks his behavior has changed. His pupils are wide, his tail is curved downward and he follows me around howling. Last night he attacked me in my sleep and drew blood. At this point I’m afraid in my own home. It’s not his fault. Either he’s in pain or he’s losing it. Either way a sad situation
Help! Wet Food Causes My Cat Diarrhea!
"Hi Dr. Paola, My name is Lulu, and I own a feline. He is my little buddy, Belito. I would like to know why the wet canned cat food I have been feeding for four months or so now causes him diarrhea. The brand name of the cat food is ‘I and Love and You’ grain-free recipe. Should I look into switching his food?" - Lulu
Help! My FIV Cat is Sleeping More than Usual!
Oreo is a male stray that my boyfriend and I took in 4 years ago. He may be about 5 years old. He’s been neutered and microchipped. My question is, he has FIV and lately has been sleeping more than usual, and he has one eye that tears and scabs up. He is indoor/outdoor, but lately indoor. In the past, we had eyedrops for that one eye. Should I be worried about him? It’s out of character for him to sleep so much. Thank you, Kim
Help! My Cat is Dependant on Treats!
“My cat Teddy is a 3-year-old female tabby who depends on treats on top of her food for breakfast and dinner (she’s fed 2x/day). I give her wet food also, but she has become dependent on her treats as a major part of her meals. I know some cat behaviorists have said that you should use treats as a form of currency and reward. How do I get Teddy to stop relying on her treats and start eating regular kibble? I tried it today, and she was sooo angry. She really hates her kibble, and I don’t know how to help her with this transition into eating only kibble and wet food. ” – Molly
Help! How Do I Keep My Cat Off My Pillows?
“At night, when my cat Birdie wants to cuddle in my bed, she walks all over my pillows, and I can’t help but feel like she’s leaving litter box residue everywhere. I don’t want to lock her out of the room, but I don’t want to sleep on/breath in whatever her paws are leaving behind. Can I get sick from this, and how can I keep her off my pillows? ” – Arthur
Help! I Need Fur Removal Tips!
“Is there an “easy” way to remove a fur mat from my cat?” – Sheila
Help! Is My Cat Too Old for Meds?
“My cat, Eclipse, will be turning 18 in April, and she is having trouble getting up on higher surfaces now with her front paws. She also does not sit in loaf positions anymore and hasn’t for a while. Would Solensia possibly be a good option for her arthritis, or is she too old?” – Kelly
Help! My Cat is Being Bullied!
“What should I do if my male cat, Charlie, gets beaten up by other male cats? – Erica
Help! My Kitten Pukes After She Eats!
“My kitten Sugar is three months old and vomits whenever she eats anything. What should I do? “ – Sally
Help! Why Does My Cat Over-Groom?
“My outside cat, Diamond, has been over-grooming her back for at least 3 years now. She is healthy and happy, other than her over-grooming. She will be 10 this spring. I’ve taken her to two different vets, and they haven’t been able to provide me reason for her behavior. It has intensified over the last 5 months. I’ve changed her food to “sensitive skin” formula, which seemed to help a bit, but has not changed her behavior. Is there anything else I can do?” – D
Help! Flea Medication is So Expensive!
“Are the flea medications in stores ok to give my cats? I have 11, so it’s costly at the vet “ – Melissa
Help! Is nytroglicerin okay for cats?
“Can cats consume nytroglicerin? “ – Jan
Help! Do Dental Chews Help Clean Teeth?
“Hi Dr. Paola, Do you recommend cat chews to keep their teeth clean? I have seen chews of silverdine sticks, and not sure if they are safe for my 3-month-old Maine coon, Sasha.” – Beth
Help! My Cat Chews on Wires!
“Why does my male kitten, Binx, nearly 6 months old, chew on electric wiring, and how can I stop it? He was found wandering around our yard in November and needed a lot of tender loving care and, of course, vet bills. He will be fixed next week. He is so hyper that we are hoping that will settle him down somewhat, but we cannot let him run loose anymore. Thank you. “ – Cathy
Why Do Cats Hate Water So Much?
“Why, in general, do cats not like water? Is there something evolutionary about it? Like, tigers love water, but lions not so much, and most house cats I know, like my Ernie, like looking at it, but would rather die than go into the tub or even a puddle after the rain.“ – Carlie
Help! My Cat Needs More Water!
“My overweight male cat Chunk doesn’t care for wet food. I give him Chuuru in addition to his dry food, which is probably why he’s so large. How can I make sure he’s getting enough water without turning him into a sumo wrestler cat?” – Kathryn
Help! My Cat Poops Out of Spite!
“My 13-year-old Yoruichi recently started to poop outside of the box when he gets mad about something. Is that normal? His brother, who’s also 13, doesn’t do that, so I am concerned if there’s any other underlying cause . “ – Kumi
Help! Is My Cat Too Old for Spaying?
“My 2 year old cat Bunny has not been spayed, is she too old and what are the risks?“ – Linda
Help! I Think My Cat is Depressed!
“My older cat died and my other cat Bootsie who was extremely fond of him is depressed. I have tried play, putting together a new scratching post for her, and holding her, but nothing seems to be working, possibly because she senses i am missing him as well. Do you have any suggestions? I would really appreciate any you would have!” – Joey
Help! My Cat Always Has Runny Poops!
“Snickers is a 7-year-old Maine Coon/Ragdoll mix. Ever since we adopted her 4 years ago, we’ve been unable to find food that doesn’t cause soft, loose poops. We’ve had poop tests confirming she is worm/parasite/bacteria free. We’ve had her on a gluten/grain-free diet of moist/dry food. We’ve tried so many different brands but she continues to have loose (not diarrhea) stools. We’ve given her probiotics and prebiotics in her food. We’ve tried homeopathic remedies for food sensitivities. We had a saliva test to measure microbiomes and found out she needs probiotics but she still has runny poops. We’re confused and discouraged. Can you help?” – Elizabeth
Help! My Cat Acts Like He Hasn’t Been Fed in Months
“Hello Dr. Paola, Why does my cat Curly act as though he hasn’t eaten in months right after he’s been fed? He’s a healthy weight, no health problems, just dire starvation vibes the moment his bowl is empty.” – Sean
I Need Help for My Senior Cats Diet!
“Dear Dr. Paola What would you recommend that I feed my wonderful 16-year-old male cat (part Maine Coon, part whatever), Shaka-Zulu? He continues to be in good health: climbs the stairs, jumps on furniture, etc., without difficulty, and is very affectionate and intelligent. He also communicates effectively with his humans. I’d like to feed him the healthiest senior cat food available!“ – Priscilla
Help! Is Anyone Researching the Explosion of Hyperthyroidism in Cats?
“Dear Dr. Paola, Is anyone researching the explosion of hyperthyroidism in cats? Do feral cats get this? Or is this a modern indoor cat phenomenon that can be attributed to environmental or dietary factors, or excessive X-rays or EMF? “ – Bonnie
I Need to Get Rid of Cockroaches but I Am Worried About Chemicals Around My Cats!
“Hello Dr. Paola, I have a bad cockroach infestation, but I don’t want to use harsh chemicals because of my indoor cats, Bronx and Milagro. What do you recommend?” – Vicky
Help! I Think My Cat is Obsessive-Compulsive!
“I have another question about my cat, Rayne. I feel sometimes that he might be a little obsessive-compulsive. For example, he’s always digging in the air near his food dish. I know that they have that instinct when they are in the wild and they’re trying to hide their food from other animals. There are no other animals in our household, but he’s doing it quite obsessively now. He’s also digging at my bedsheets, not making a spot to sleep, but just digging. During the night, he also goes into a kind of mating ritual. I think I read that that has something to do with having testosterone still in him, but he is neutered. He’s going to be five years old in August, so I thought that by now, that would have subsided. Do you have any idea about any of these behaviors?” – Charmaine
Help! My Cat Won’t Cuddle!
“Dear Dr. Paola, My cat Isabella is a little over one year old and is settling into her new home. She used to be a feral outdoor cat. Sometimes she’ll let me pet her and cuddle with her (usually on the bed at night), but often not during the day. But she loves to be pet by my feet, and will rub against them most of the time. Why? “ – Melanie
I Want to Deworm a Feral Cat!
“Hello Dr. Paola, I have been feeding a feral cat named Hank since winter, but now he is not thriving! I’d like to deworm him, but am confused about which type of worms to treat him for. The local co-op has products, but I am unsure which worm treatment I need. This feral cat is friendly with me, unless a loud noise, high wind or another person’s voice startles him and he runs away. I can’t afford a vet visit; I feed and house an outdoor female (fixed) feral cat, and have my own 7-year-old rescue, a tabby that lives indoors. I’m on a fixed income. I’ve rescued and rehomed many in this area, but at 71 years old., I will have to step away in the future. Hank can stay here permanently if he chooses to. I hope to SAVE him. Hoping deworming might help him. He is a bit independent and doesn’t stay overnight, but is otherwise homeless.” – Pat
Help! My Cat is Coughing!
“My healthy 16-year-old cat, Jake, recently started coughing like he’s going to cough up a hairball, but then he doesn’t. Even in a dead sleep, he’ll jump up and crouch down on all fours for several seconds. Then it’s over. Does this sound serious? I have 5 cats, but have never experienced this before.“ – Cheryl
Help! My Cat Stares at Me While Using His Litterbox!
“Dear Dr. Paola, Whenever my cat Plumpers uses the litter box, he stares directly at me. Is that a sign of something, or just him being weird? Should I do anything about it? “ – Vicky
Help! My Kitten is Breathing Heavy!
“Hi Dr. Paola, I just got this kitten. She’s around 9 weeks old and her name is Blair. Recently, I’ve been noticing that she breathes quite quickly while sleeping. I’m extremely worried about her because I know the people who gave her to me didn’t handle the kittens very carefully. Her breaths are shallow and quick, and unfortunately, I’m unable to take her to the vet because of money issues. I’d really appreciate your input on this issue because I’m so worried about her. I hope that it’s just stress due to a new environment, but I know it could be more serious. “ – Kimberly
Help! My Cat is Looking Thinner!
“I think that my cat Lilly looks thinner. She had full blood and urine tests 10 days ago. The vet said they didn’t find anything in her kidneys, and that her heart is okay for her age. I thought about getting cat meat specifically for older cats. Do you think that’s a good idea, or should I try something else? “ – Sandra
Help! My Cat Has Crazy Energy at Night!
“Dear Dr. Paola, Libby seems to get a sudden burst of energy late at night and sprints around the house like crazy. What causes that?” – Kim
Help! My Cat is Obsessed with Licking Plastic Bags!
“My cat, Mr Fluffy, is obsessed with licking plastic bags and packaging. Is that safe? Why might he be doing this?” – Deborah
Help! My Cat Loves to Knock Things Over!
“Dear Dr. Paola, My cat Mildred has a habit of knocking things off tables or shelves—cups, pens, whatever she can find. Why do cats do this? ” – Christy
Help! My Cat Stares at the Wall!
“Sometimes my cat Daisy just stares at the wall for ages like she’s seeing something I can’t. Should I be concerned, or is this just normal cat behavior? ” – Daniel
Help! My Cats Has Licked Her Fur Away!
“My cat Krueger is licking her fur so that her fur has disappeared. However, she does not have any hairballs. What should I do? “ – Greg
Help! No Human’s Are Ever as Loyal as My Cats!
“Why can’t any human I know be as loving and loyal as my cats, Darwin and Breebree?“ – Michael
Help! My Feral Cat has Fleas!
“Black Magic is a feral cat and very skittish. He has a flea infestation, and I’m unable to capture him to take him to the vet for treatment. Is there anything natural I can give him to help get rid of the fleas? “ – Lillian
Help! My Rescue Cat is Skittish Around Me!
“Hi Dr. Paola, I rescued my cat Midnight from an abusive home. I wonder why she is so skittish with me? I’m protecting her, and I let her do anything she wants because I love all my animals. How do I pick her up and put her in the carrier to take her to the vet? Also, she hurt herself, and she’s limping and has her little paw up when she walks. I have to wait one more week before I can take her to see a vet in person because that’s when I get paid next, so I’m wondering what I can do in the meantime? Every time I see my baby girl in pain, it makes me cry! “ – Judy
Help! My Cat Has Epilepsy!
“Hi Dr. Paola, I found out about a month ago that my 7-year-old cat, Georgia, has epilepsy. The vet has her on a quarter of a phenobarbital pill. Vet started her on half a pill, but she wasn’t eating very much and using her litterbox very much. It’s hard to get her to take her medicine once daily. It takes both my fiancé and me to give her a quarter of the half pill. She was also diagnosed with chronic cystitis when she was two years old. She’s been on Science Diet wet stew food since then. She also doesn’t drink water, no matter what I do. Any suggestions on how to give her the pill? Plus, she’s also declawed.“ – Debra
Help! My Cat is Shivering!
“Hello Dr. Paola, Why does my cat, Rayne, shiver or quiver when he’s relaxed and purring, sometimes even before he falls asleep, while lying next to me? What concerns me is that it’s more of a shivering or quivering, like from a fever or chills. He’s been checked by a vet, yet no one can explain this behavior. He’s not ill at this time, but has done this since I’ve had him. He’ll be 5 in August, and I got him at 8 months. My previous Abyssinian also did this shiver and quiver. I think my cat does suffer from anxiety. I know when he walks down the hallway, he rubs his mouth against the wall or objects every couple of feet, and I did read once that that was a way of securing his circle of security, so that doesn’t bother me. Once he is sound asleep, he doesn’t do it, but sometimes when he’s in a deep sleep, he’ll jerk up really fast up in the air. I know, as humans, we do that too. I appreciate any help that you might be able to give. Thank you. “ – Charmaine
Help! My Cat Gets a Cough When She’s in Heat!
“Hi Dr. Paola, Kloe is an intact 9 y/o female orange and white tabby. When she starts her heat cycle, she’ll get a cough; otherwise she only coughs after drinking water. She looks like she bites at the water as shes lapping it with her tongue.” – Andrea
Help! My Cat is Guarding The Litterbox!
“Hey Dr. Paola, Roxy is a litter box dictator when it comes to my other cat Ivor. I have three litter boxes. Roxy uses the one in the bathroom. The other two are in a spare room. One is used by Ivor. The other box has fresh litter in it. Neither cat has used this box for two weeks now. When Ivor needs to use his box, Roxy will follow him. She allows him to take care of business. He hurriedly leaves and Roxy attacks his tail and back side. Other times Roxy will just sit near Ivor’s litter box for hours on end waiting for Ivor to need to use his litter box. “ – Lloyd
Help! My Cat is Peeing on My Late Husbands Chair!
“Dear Dr. Paola, QT is a 3-year-old tabby and lives with her half sister, who is 11. We lost my husband on February 21, 2024, and I started noticing pee by the heater vent by his chair. I scrubbed and used Nature’s Miracle, then saw it on the other vent by the other chair. Thought it was only happening when I was gone, but she did it right next to me as I was sitting in his chair. We have two litterboxes that I clean daily, and have never had this problem before :( I have tried pepper and even putting his t-shirt on it, but she pushed it aside and did it anyway. I’m assuming she is upset that he is gone, but I don’t know what to do! Please help! Thank you,“ – Brenda
Help! My Cat is a Bully!
“Our most recent addition to our cat family, Gucci, bullies our other cats sometimes and steals their food. What might we do to get her to cut down on this? It doesn’t seem malicious, more like she doesn’t quite know how to socialize. “ – Patrick
Help! My Cat is Attacking Me!
“Hey Dr. Paola, My husband and I, and our cat Milo, share a home where Milo has every toy imaginable. In the beginning, he would cuddle up on my lap at night and I thought I finally had my lap cat. He is a little older than 1 year. Now, over the last 5 months, he has decided to attack me, biting every night that I sit down to watch TV. If I sit on the couch or loveseat, he gets me. I have tried not wearing perfume, playing with him extra. He does not bother my husband, and I am the one who cares for him, feeding, watering, and cleaning his litter box…I don’t understand it. It is just me. I think he has sensed my fear of him because one time I had to go to the ER with severe cuts when he tore my arm up while I was sleeping. Nothing has changed in our home – no stress, no yelling. When I come into my office to be on my computer, he will sometimes lie on the desk and watch me and not bother me, but it is when I sit on those pieces of furniture that he attacks me every night. It has gotten so that we have to put him up when we want to watch a movie. He does not bite my husband and doesnt bother me during the day while I am moving around or sitting in my office. My husband said he has scared me so badly, we should just get rid of him, but I don’t want to…I want to find out what is in his head about ME, his main caregiver, and why he does this… Any help would be appreciated. “ – Patricia
Help! Why Don’t Vets Make House Calls?
“I am handicapped and cannot bring my babies, Darwin and Breebree, to the vet. Also, even if I could, I cannot stress my babies. Why don’t more vets make house calls? “- Michael
Help! I Was Quoted High from My Vet!
“What’s a reasonable price for a cat tooth removal? Bat Cat is a senior and needs one of his top canine teeth removed, and we were quoted $1500 USD. Is that normal, or should we shop around?“- Harry
Help! My Cat is Yowling!
“Isabella is 2 years old and has been happy living with us for the past year, but sometimes she wanders around our house, sniffs the furniture, and yowls. I know cats mourn the loss of another cat companion, but is it possible she is mourning the loss of my Pumpkin, whom she never met? If so, how do I explain to her that Pumpkin has been gone for nearly 2 years now?“ – Melanie
Help! When Does Grooming Become Over-Grooming?
“Skywalker, our cat, has been overgrooming for about 4 years. It’s become worse over time. She has completely licked all the hair off her stomach as far up her chest as she can. Then she licked all the hair off her back legs. Now she’s working on the front legs. We’ve taken her to the vet, who can’t find a reason for it, but just gave her antibiotics and skin wipes to heal the few sores that had developed. The sores are gone, but she just keeps licking. Just to confirm, there have been no changes in her environment at all. We have tried other foods, but it doesn’t seem to matter. Thank you, Dr. Paola!“ – Kitty
Help! My Cat Loves to Hunt!
“Pearl is a bit of a hunter, which I hate, and I try to keep her indoors as best as I can. She likes to bring me mice or small birds if she does go out, so I really try hard not to let that happen. How can I keep her happy inside so she doesn’t need to go out and hunt?“- Ori
Help! My Cats Third Eyelid Gets Stuck?
“Daisy’s third eyelid sometimes gets stuck, but not always. When should I worry? “ – Lyle
Help! When Does Grooming Become Over-Grooming?
“Tiger cleans herself a lot, but when is it too much? I’ve heard of overgrooming and anxiety, and am now worried she’s got it (probably putting my anxiety about it onto her! “ – Rhyanne
Help! Can Cats Get Zits?
“Can cats get zits? “ – Franzi
Help! My Cat Got Stung By a Bee!
“My cat Bella loves to swat at and try to eat flies, and today she got surprised, it was a bee, and bit it, and got stung on her tongue. It’s swollen, but she can still breathe normally, and eat and drink. Should I take her to the vet, or can I watch her at home?“- Kourtney
Help! My Cat Dry Heaves!
“Luca, my beloved cat, sometimes has dry heaves, and nothing comes out. He eats normally, and then the issue goes away for 3-4 days, then he’ll have a spout of it again. Been going on for about 3 weeks. What should we do? “ – Gia
Help! My Cats Has One Pupil That Dilates Bigger Than the Other!
“My cat Trixie has one pupil that dilates quite big and the other only a little bit. She’s 2 years old. Seems like she can see no problem. Should we take her to be seen by the vet or watch out for other signs/symptoms? “ – Jackson
Help! My Cats Tooth Fell Out!
“My cat Evie is 17, and all around doing well. She goes to the vet annually, but we try to help her at home as much as we can in between the checkups. Yesterday, one of her teeth fell out… a tiny front one, but it was super surprising. What should we do???“ – Cecilia
Help! How Do I Keep My Cat’s Eyes Clean?
“My 11-year-old rescue cat is an orange female. We’ve shared a home for the past 7 years. For the past year, I have noticed that Harmony is no longer keeping the inside corners of her eyes clean. When I see those dried blackish scab-like things in the corners of her eyes, I try to remove them with my fingernail and a wet washcloth. I’m afraid that if I don’t remove them, they will fall into her eyes, but I am also concerned that I might scratch her. What is causing the eye dirt, and what is the best way to help her keep her eyes clean?“- Donna
Help! My Cat Might Be Diabetic!
“I want to try berberine for a possible diabetic. In humans, it acts just about like metformin and is less toxic, so I would like to avoid drugs for this rescue by using it. I realize there is a lack of research due to a probable lack of interest and possible revenue.“ – Betty
Help! What Do I Feed My Rescue Cat?
“Hi Dr. Paola, I have a 2-year-old dachshund. I feed her all dry food because she will not eat any canned. Ruby is a rescue cat from a shelter. She is constantly hungry and begs constantly, like she’s hungry. What is the best high-protein dry food I should feed? She looks good but seems hungry. The vet says she’s a good weight. “ – Cheryl
Help! How Do I Get My Cat to Eat a New Food!
“The food we were feeding our kitty, Joey, changed the formula. They added fish to a chicken pate. Our little girl has a problem with fish. How do we get her to eat a new food?“- Linda
Help! My Kitten Bites & Swats Me!
“SOX is 13 weeks old and wants to bite a scratch us when we want to handle him. He was a rescue we got from our vet and is in excellent health and up to date with all his shots. Is there a method to help him stop the biting? Thanks,“ – William
Help! Do My Cats Know I Love Them?
“Hi Dr. Paola, I can’t help hugging and kissing and telling Darwin and Breebree I love them. My question is, do they sense in those moments how much I love them? “ – Michael
Help! I Want to Travel With My Cats!
“Hi Dr. Paola, We are trying to make it less stressful for our cats, Kraken and Yetti, to travel. We have a vacation home about 5 hours away and need to bring our cats when we go there. We’ve gone twice driving with them. They are in a big crate that has some fluffy things to lie on and a few toys. I also put in a small litter box just in case. Both times, one of them has gotten sick. I cover the crate with a blanket so they can’t see anything. They cry almost all the time. I put on some soft classical music, gave them some treats, and even tried some catnip, and I bought some collars that are supposed to give off some pheromones to calm them down, but they obviously don’t work. I would just put the collars around the crate because they won’t wear them. So my question is, what else can I do to make traveling with them easier for them? It breaks my heart that they get so wound up. We even play with them before we get them in the crate to try and wear them out, but that doesn’t really work. What are your thoughts and suggestions on this? Thank you in advance, “- Linda
Help! My Cat Swats Me With Her Tail!
“My cat’s tail starts flicking and twitching while I’m petting her, and then sometimes she swats me, but other times the tail language lasts for a couple of minutes—how do I know when Gidget’s had enough?“ – Carter
Help! My Cat is Obsessively Licking!
“My cat Mr Fluffs has been obsessively licking one paw and chewing at it—should I be concerned?“- Ellen
Help! My Cat Has a Bump on His Head!
“Hi Dr. Paola, I have a new 3-month-old kitten/cat that has been spayed and had all her shots, but she likes to play with Clyde, and Clyde has a bump on the top of his head now, maybe she scratched or bit him. This bump is soft, and if you squeeze it, a line of white stuff comes out of it. I shaved the hair around it and washed it with an antibiotic wash, and put antibiotic ointment on it. It worries me, and I’m not sure if I need to take him to his vet. I handle my cats, so I know if something comes up that should not be there, and they get a monthly bath, too. Thank you. “ – Sharon
Help! I Am Scared When My Cat Coughs!
“Hi Dr. Paola, My 15-year-old Jake coughs like he can’t breathe, he jumps down and lies on all feet, lasting a few seconds, then it’s over. He does have a heart murmur. I’m scared for him. “- Cheryl