Ask Dr. Paola – Zoomies, Ghosts & Holidays (December 9, 2024)

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 Excessive Zoomies!

“ I know that all cats get the zoomies, but my cat Hera’s zoomies are starting to feel excessive. She is 14 and still has them 4-5 times/day, without catnip! Is there such a thing as too many zoomies? ” – Percy

Frenetic random activity periods (FRAP), most commonly known as “the zoomies”, is a natural behavior exhibited by most cats. However, if the behavior is happening too often we do not consider it to be normal. This behavior can signal Hera is feeling stressed or frustrated and chances are she needs more mental and physical stimulation. Indoor cats need to be provided with several opportunities to outlet their energy. This means adding some climbing options and vertical spaces, providing them with puzzle feeders, a variety of toys in a rotation, and even a running wheel. Playing with your cat at least 2 or 3 times a day to ensure they move around and release their energy is important. If you already do this using a laser pointer, this might actually be the reason behind Hera’s frequent FRAPing or zoomies.

While laser pointers are great tools to get cats going, they can also cause an incredible amount of frustration in cats as this light appeals to their predatory instincts, however, they never allow them to make a successful catch. In other words, they never win. There are certain laser pointer rules to follow that can help. Toss her a toy so that she can successfully paw and bite something tangible at the same time you turn the pointer off. Follow this with a yummy treat or even dinner, this allows her to complete her “hunting cycle” instead of leaving her hanging up.

Providing Hera with a calming environment using synthetic pheromones and several safe hiding opportunities can also help reduce her stress. These are just some options to consider, the general idea is to let her have healthy energy outlets and also provide her with a stress-free environment.

Best wishes!
Dr. Paola

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Help! I Think My Cat Can See Ghosts!

“Can cats see ghosts? My cat stares at the wall all the time as if someone is there but there isn’t. What should I do here?”
” – Daniela

There are a few possible reasons why cats might be staring at a wall. Their senses are different from ours, they can hear noises we can’t due to the frequency range and might also be smelling something you can not detect. In many cases, these are small animals hiding behind the walls. A cat would look interested and you might see their ears moving to follow the noise’s origin.

You did not mention the age but if your cat is a senior, senile dementia or age-related cognitive dysfunction is a possibility. Other possibilities include neurological problems such as partial or focal seizures. If you think this might be the case, be familiar with other signs and record as much information about it as possible including, when it happens, after what activity, how often, at what time, etc, if possible record a video. The more info you can bring to your vet, the better chances of a successful diagnosis; although a definitive diagnosis would need an electroencephalogram (EEG). These are the medical possibilities, and although many swear that cats have supernatural powers and can see ghosts, we have no reliable evidence to prove that.

Sincerely,
Dr. Paola

Help! We Want to Go On Holiday!

“My partner and I are thinking of going on a two-week holiday next year but we’ve never left our 3-year-old cat Jackson for more than 2 days before. We’re thinking of putting him into a cattery, but then also think a house sitter might be a better alternative. How do we decide what’s best for him?” – Gemma

Hi Gemma.

Cats are creatures of habit, they are solitary and territorial by nature. Their homes are their familiar territory. They spend time every day ensuring every piece of it is marked with their scent from facial pheromones, which give them a sense of familiarity or belonging and make them feel secure. Moving them to a completely different area with many other cats is oftentimes stressful for them. If you have the possibility, I would recommend you opt for the house sitter. Then, not only will Jackson be cared for, but your home will be too. I know that paying for a private sitter can get expensive, but there are some amazing services out there where you buy a yearly membership to the community, and then the house sitting is a free exchange based on trust! Then, you can enjoy your holiday more knowing that Jackson is comfortable.

Best of luck, and enjoy your holiday!
Dr. Paola