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 Has 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
Hi Bobbi,
Dandruff in cats, which veterinarians call seborrhea sicca, often appears when the skin barrier becomes a little dry or the normal turnover of skin cells speeds up. In many otherwise healthy cats around JR’s age, the most common causes are mild dehydration, reduced grooming efficiency, seasonal dryness in the home, or early weight gain that makes it harder to reach the lower back. The flakes often show up over the rump or near the base of the tail because that area is the hardest for a cat to groom. Since you already brush her daily, you are helping remove loose scales and stimulating the skin to stay healthy.
From a nutrition standpoint, the skin behaves like a brick wall, where fatty acids act as the mortar that keeps everything sealed and hydrated. Diets that provide adequate omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA from marine sources, can support that barrier and often improve mild dandruff over several weeks. Adding a small amount of a veterinary fish oil supplement designed for cats may help, provided JR has no history of pancreatitis or weight concerns. Ensuring good hydration also matters for skin health, so continuing wet food such as Sheba and encouraging water intake can be beneficial. Environmental humidity can play a role as well, and a humidifier sometimes reduces dry skin in indoor cats.
If the dandruff is heavy, greasy, associated with hair thinning, itching, weight change, or reduced grooming, it is worth having JR examined because dandruff can occasionally accompany conditions such as obesity, arthritis that limits grooming, external parasites like Cheyletiella mites, or underlying endocrine disease. If JR otherwise seems comfortable and the flakes are mild, a veterinary teletriage service like ours at PangoVet can help you determine whether simple home adjustments are reasonable or if a hands-on exam should be scheduled. Early evaluation helps ensure that what looks like a small skin change is not the first sign of something deeper affecting her overall health.
Regards,
– Dr. Paola
Can I Communicate With My Cat?
“How can I communicate with my cat?” – Pheobe
Dear Phoebe,
Communicating with your cat is less about words and more about learning her language, which is beautifully subtle and consistent once you start noticing it. Cats rely heavily on body posture, tail position, ear movement, and eye contact. A relaxed cat with a softly upright tail and slow blinks is essentially “smiling” at you. You can answer her by blinking slowly back and softening your gaze, which many cats interpret as trust and safety. Think of it like speaking in a quiet, respectful tone rather than a loud conversation. On the other hand, a flicking tail, flattened ears, or a tense body are signs she needs space, and respecting that builds trust over time.
Your voice still matters, but more for tone than vocabulary. Cats can learn to associate certain words or sounds with routines like feeding or play, especially if you keep them consistent and pair them with positive experiences. Gentle, predictable interactions such as feeding, grooming, or play sessions act like “shared conversations” where Phoebe learns what to expect from you. Play, in particular, is a powerful communication tool because it mimics natural hunting behavior, helping her feel understood on an instinctive level.
Finally, pay attention to how Phoebe communicates back. Each cat develops a unique “dialect” of meows, trills, and gestures. When you respond consistently, you are essentially building a shared language together. If you ever feel unsure about changes in her behavior or communication patterns, at Pangovet, we can help you interpret whether it is simply personality or something that may need closer attention.
Best wishes,
– Dr. Paola
Help! My Cat Scratches at the 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
Linda, you are not alone.
It’s very common for rescue cats like Milo to scratch at doors, especially bedroom doors, because for him, that door represents both separation and something meaningful happening on the other side. Scratching is not just about his claws; it is communication and stress relief, a bit like someone knocking repeatedly when they feel left out. Many cats do this at night because they are naturally more active and seek social contact, routine, or access to preferred spaces.
The most effective approach is to redirect, not punish. Place a sturdy scratching post or horizontal scratcher right next to the door he targets, and make it far more appealing than the frame by using catnip or treats. At the same time, protect the door frame temporarily with a plastic guard or double-sided tape, since cats dislike that texture. Consistency matters here; if he scratches and eventually gets attention or the door opens, even occasionally, the behavior becomes reinforced. Establishing a predictable evening routine with interactive play followed by a meal can also help him settle, since this mimics the natural hunt, eat, rest cycle and reduces nighttime frustration.
If the behavior feels intense or suddenly worsens, it can sometimes reflect underlying anxiety or unmet environmental needs rather than stubbornness. In those cases, at PangoVet, we can help you assess whether environmental enrichment is enough or if additional support is needed.
Good luck!
– Dr. Paola
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- Read last week’s questions here: March 23, 2026
- Find the full list of past articles here
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Help! My Cat Has Dandruff!
