Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our readers better understand their cat’s 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 nutrition tips and preventive care to troubleshooting common behavioral issues, Dr. Paola is ready to offer insights that will keep your kitty happy, healthy, and feline fine. Stay tuned for expert guidance on a range of topics that matter most to you and your cat, so you can make informed decisions and provide the best possible care for your furry companion. ‎

Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

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

Dear Judy,

I can imagine how distressing that feels, especially because it’s happening right on you while you’re resting. When a healthy cat urinates in very specific places, like bedding, and even directly on their person, we begin to think less about the bladder and more about emotional communication. Cats often use urine the way we might use words; it carries a strong message. In this case, the pattern you describe, every 7 to 10 days and specifically on you, strongly suggests a social or stress-related behavior rather than a litter box issue. It helps to look for a trigger that is subtle or cyclical rather than constant, such as small routine changes, anticipation of events, mild anxiety, or even overstimulation during close contact.

Your bed and your body both carry your scent, which is very meaningful to Tuxedo. Some cats will urinate in these areas as a way to blend their scent with yours when they feel insecure or when something in their environment feels unpredictable. Even small changes like shifts in schedule, new sounds, visitors, or tension in the household can be enough. The fact that he uses the litter box normally the rest of the time is reassuring; it tells us he understands his litter habits and that this behavior is context-specific, often occurring during vulnerable moments like sleep when attachment-related behaviors are more pronounced. Because scent plays such an important role, washing bedding frequently and using an enzymatic cleaner on any soiled areas is essential to fully remove odor cues that may encourage repeat marking.

A helpful way to approach this is to think of it as a cat asking for reassurance in the wrong way. Focus on reducing underlying stress and offering appropriate outlets for scent-related behaviors. Adding an extra litter box in a quiet and predictable area, using feline pheromone diffusers in the bedroom, and temporarily limiting access to the bed during sleep can all help. Observing whether these episodes follow specific events, even subtle ones, can provide valuable clues. Increasing predictable positive interactions during the day, especially play followed by food, can help lower overall tension and make him feel more secure in his environment. Good luck!

– Dr. Paola

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

Hey Reitha,

This is a very real challenge, especially for a cat who has already learned that the outdoors is part of his routine. From his perspective, that access has simply “disappeared,” so the crying you’re hearing is his way of trying to restore something predictable and rewarding. Most cats do not truly give up on this quickly, especially after months of reinforcement. If nothing changes, the behavior can persist for weeks or even longer, much like a habit we keep repeating because it used to work.

The key is to replace, not just remove. Think of it as helping him trade one enriching routine for another. Additional vertical spaces and structured indoor enrichment can make a big difference, especially interactive play that mimics hunting, followed by a meal, which taps into natural behavioral cycles. Window perches, visual access to the courtyard, and even puzzle feeders can help fill that gap. If he is open to it, gradual leash training indoors first, then in a calm outdoor setting, can be a wonderful compromise, but it should feel safe and voluntary, never forced. Consistency is very important here because intermittent access, even once, can reset the crying behavior.

It also helps to avoid reinforcing the door-focused behavior. If attention, talking, or eye contact happens when he cries, even gently, it can unintentionally maintain it. Instead, redirect his attention before he escalates, offering play or food at predictable times of day when he used to go outside. Over time, most cats do adjust, but the transition is smoother when we actively meet that underlying need for stimulation and control. If the vocalizing becomes intense or stressful for either of you, at Pangovet, we can help you fine-tune an enrichment and behavior plan that fits your home. It’s all about redesigning his daily routine, so it still feels full and satisfying, just in a different way. I hope this helps.

– Dr. Paola

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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

Hi Roxanne,

This is a great example of how well cats learn patterns. You taught her beautifully, but now she has added her own “terms and conditions.” The goal now is not to remove reinforcement, but to make it less predictable so the behavior stays strong without turning into a negotiation.

You can shift to intermittent and variable reinforcement, meaning she does not get a treat every time she uses the post, but she still gets rewarded often enough to keep the habit. Sometimes it is a small treat, sometimes just calm praise, and occasionally a “jackpot,” a slightly larger or more exciting reward. For most cats, that would be a licky treat deal. This variability mimics natural reward systems and is very effective at maintaining behaviors without creating dependency. At the same time, avoid responding when she scratches furniture, and make the post the easiest and most satisfying option by placing it in preferred areas and refreshing it with catnip or new textures.

To protect your furniture during this transition, applying double-sided sticky tape to target areas can be very helpful, as most cats dislike the sensation and will avoid those surfaces. Think of this process like reshaping a routine rather than breaking it. You are teaching her that the scratching post is always the right choice, but rewards are a pleasant surprise rather than a guaranteed transaction. Happy re-training!

– Dr. Paola