Ask Dr. Paola – Rubbing, Heart Failure & Eye Rolling (August 25, 2025)

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 Always Rubbing!

“Dear Dr. Paola,

Why does my cat, Blue, always rub on me right after my other cat, Louis, rubs on me?”– Bri

Hi Bri,

What you are noticing is a perfectly normal and quite charming part of feline communication. Cats have scent glands on their cheeks, chin, and forehead, and when they rub against you, they are leaving behind pheromones that mark familiarity and belonging. If Louis rubs on you first, he is essentially “including” you in his scent profile. When Blue follows and rubs on you, he is not just reacting to Louis’s scent but actively adding his own, creating a shared group scent.

In multi-cat households where cats are well-bonded, this blended scent works like an invisible signature that says: “we are family.” It helps reduce stress, strengthen social bonds, and maintain group harmony. Blue’s behavior is his way of making sure he is part of that shared identity, and it is actually a sign of comfort and connection rather than rivalry. By “re-marking” you after Louis, Blue is simply weaving his scent into the family tapestry, a gentle reminder that you all belong together.

Sincerely,

Dr. Paola

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Help! My Cat Has Been Diagnosed with Heart Failure!

“My cat Chick (an 11-year-old neutered male) has been diagnosed with heart failure. The vet took 170 ml of liquid from his chest and gave us a diuretic to give him twice a day. What else can we do? The vet said his condition will worsen.” – Felizitas

 

Felizitas,

I am sorry you and Chick are going through this. In cats, heart failure often leads to fluid accumulation around the lungs (pleural effusion) or within them (pulmonary edema), making breathing more difficult. The fluid removal your veterinarian performed is called thoracentesis, and the diuretic helps the body reduce further buildup. Unfortunately, as your veterinarian explained, heart failure is a progressive condition, but there are ways to keep Chick comfortable and potentially slow its progression.

In addition to giving the prescribed medication exactly as directed, regular follow-up visits are essential so your veterinarian can monitor Chick’s heart function, adjust the diuretic dose, and check for any electrolyte imbalances or effects on the kidneys. Depending on the underlying cause of his heart failure, your veterinarian might recommend medications such as ACE inhibitors, pimobendan, or others to support heart function. At home, keeping his environment calm, avoiding stress or excessive exertion, and monitoring his resting breathing rate can help you catch changes early. If you notice his resting rate is consistently above 30 breaths per minute, or if he is working harder to breathe, that is an urgent situation that needs immediate veterinary attention.

While the outlook with heart failure is guarded (meaning the outcome is unpredictable), attentive care, frequent reassessments, and prompt response to changes can help maintain Chick’s comfort and quality of life for as long as possible.

Best wishes,

– Dr. Paola

Help! My Cat Goes in to a Trance!

“Hello Dr. Paola,

When I scratch my cat on her chest, she opens her mouth and goes into a weird trance, and it’s like her eyes roll back in her head with pleasure. It’s wild! She seems to enjoy it, but it’s also a bit crazy to see. I was just wondering if it was normal (or at least okay) for me to keep scratching her there! Cats are so funny. Thanks, Dr. Paola!” – Hallie

Hi Hallie,

What you are describing is actually quite common and, in most cases, perfectly harmless. Cats have a high concentration of sensitive nerve endings in certain “sweet spots” like the chest, chin, cheeks, and base of the tail. When you scratch her chest, you may be stimulating a cluster of sensory nerves that send strong pleasurable signals to her brain. That “trance-like” state, with relaxed jaw and half-closed or rolled eyes, is essentially her slipping into deep enjoyment, a bit like a person zoning out during a great massage.

As long as she is initiating or leaning into the contact and shows no signs of discomfort or agitation afterward, it is safe to continue. Just keep an eye on her body language in case the sensation ever shifts from pleasure to overstimulation. Overstimulation happens when too much petting causes a cat’s nerves to become overly sensitive, which can quickly change their enjoyment into irritation. This funny, blissed-out reaction is one of the many ways cats show how deeply they can enjoy gentle, trusted touch from their favorite people, although it is always wise to remain attentive to their cues.

Best,

Dr. Paola