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! 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 

Hi Virginia,

What you’re describing in Mr. Weasley is very consistent with ear mites, especially the combination of intense itching and that dark, crumbly material that often looks like coffee grounds. Cats can still hear perfectly well because the problem is irritating the ear canal rather than blocking sound. The concern here is the self-trauma, when scratching leads to bleeding, it tells us the discomfort is significant, and the skin barrier is already compromised.

Even though ear mites are a common cause, other conditions like yeast or bacterial ear infections can look very similar, and the treatments are quite different. For that reason, the safest and most effective approach is to have a veterinarian confirm the diagnosis with a quick ear swab. In the meantime, avoid using cotton swabs inside the ear or applying over-the-counter products, as these can worsen irritation or push debris deeper. He definitely needs in-person veterinary care to resolve this fully.

Once properly diagnosed, treatment is usually straightforward and very effective, often involving topical or spot-on medications that also protect against reinfestation. Think of it like clearing out both the “invaders” and the environment they thrive in. With prompt care, his ears should heal well, and the itching will settle quickly.

Kind regards,

– Dr. Paola

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

Hello Linda,

Snickets sounds like a lovely senior girl, and it’s great to hear she’s otherwise doing well. A small, flat brown spot on a light-colored nose can sometimes be something benign, such as increased pigmentation, which is a bit like a “freckle” developing with age. In cats, this is often referred to as lentigo, and it can appear on the nose, lips, or eyelids, especially as they get older. These spots are typically flat, well-defined, and not associated with discomfort.

That said, with white or lightly pigmented noses, we always stay a little more cautious because these areas are more sensitive to sun exposure and, over time, can develop more serious conditions like early skin cancer. The fact that it seems to have grown, even slightly, makes it worth monitoring closely. A helpful approach is to take a clear photo now and compare it over the next couple of weeks, watching for changes in size, shape, texture, or if it becomes raised, ulcerated, or irritated.

If you notice any progression, or simply for peace of mind, given her age, having your veterinarian take a closer look is the safest step, as they can examine it with magnification and decide if further testing is needed. In the meantime, limiting strong sun exposure, especially during peak hours, can help protect that delicate skin, much like protecting fair human skin from sun damage. I hope this helps!

– Dr. Paola

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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

Hey Susanne,

What you are feeling is most likely matted fur rather than the hair becoming “hard.” These mats form when loose hairs and natural skin oils tangle and compress over time, almost like wool felt. As they tighten, they can pull on the skin underneath, which is why some cats become sensitive or uncomfortable when you touch those areas.

The kindest way to approach this is to be very gentle and intentional. If the mat is small and still a bit soft, you can hold the base of the fur close to the skin to prevent pulling, then slowly work it apart with a wide-tooth comb or a dematting tool. This is similar to holding a knot in your own hair before brushing it out; it reduces tension on the skin. However, if the mat feels tight, dense, or sits very close to the skin, it is very important to avoid using scissors to cut mats at home, even if it seems like the quickest solution. A cat’s skin is thin and moves easily with the fur, almost like fabric that shifts under your fingers, so it is very easy to accidentally cut the skin without realizing it. Many injuries happen this way, even with calm cats. That is why, for tight mats, careful clipping with proper tools by a veterinarian or experienced groomer is the safest and most humane approach.

– Dr. Paola