Ask Dr. Paola – sneezes, ice cream and boxes (September 15, 2025)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our readers understand the health and well -being of their cats.

Whether you are a new pet parent or an experienced cat lover, Dr. Paola here to give answers to your most pressing questions. From nutritional tips and preventative care to troubleshooting ordinary behavioral questions is Dr. Paola ready to offer insight that will keep your kitty happy, healthy and cats fine. Keep an eye on expert guidance on a variety of topics that matter most to you and your cat so you can make informed decisions and give the best possible care to your furry companion. ‎

Do you have a question? Send it in here!

Help! My cat keeps sneezing!

“Dear Dr. Paola,

I adopted Maggie (a Lynx Point Siamese) from a shelter. She was erected as a stray, 4 to 6 years old. She is a nice cat, but this summer (my first summer with her), she has started to sneeze. Most often 1 sneeze at a time, but others up to 4 to 5 times in a row. She has a clear eye discharge, so I took her to a veterinarian who never told me what was wrong but gave her a steroid injection. For 2 to 3 days Maggie was out of it. She did not eat or drank much and slept all the time. All quite unusual for her. I called the vet and their answer was “she is angry because you brought her to the vet.”

I don’t think that’s it. Her sneeze stopped and her eye discharge disappeared. It is approx. 8 weeks ago the injection, and the sneezing starts again. Do you have any suggestions on what to get her checked for? ” – – Bev

Hi Bev,

Thank you for giving Maggie such a loving home. From what you describe, her sneeze with clear eye discharge is most often associated with the upper respiratory tract infections of the cat, usually viral in nature. Cats that have been in shelters are often exposed to herpes virus or calicivirus, and these can cause recurring flare -up, especially in times of stress or seasonal change. Environmental irritants like dust or pollen can also play a role, but the recurring pattern you notice makes a viral cause more likely.

What really stands out is Maggie’s reaction after the steroid injection. Steroids are sometimes used to reduce inflammation, but they can also suppress the immune system. In a cat that carries a respiratory virus, it can actually make improvement harder. Typical short -lived side effects include increased thirst or appetite, but walking of food and water for two to three days is not a regular or expected answer. This suggests that the medicine did not agree with her and is important to notice for future care, as other treatment options may be safer for her.

As her sneezes have returned, I recommend a thorough examination. A veterinarian can assess her nasal passages, eyes and oral cavity and can run tests like a respiratory PCR panel to confirm if she is a carrier of herpes virus or calicivirus. Monitoring her appetite and energy closely will also help you know when intervention is urgent. If she ever stops eating again or develops colored discharge, she should be seen immediately. It may be a good idea to find a new veterinarian that you are also comfortable with. Give them all Maggies past health history to make sure she gets the safest treatment.

I hope this helps!

Dr. Paola

Can I give my cat ice cream?

“Is a small amount of ice bad for my cat, Callie?” – Barbara

 

Hi Barbara,

While a small lick of ice probably doesn’t cause lasting damage, it’s not a safe or healthy treat for Callie. Most cats are lactose intolerant as adults, which means that even small amounts of dairy can lead to digestive disorders, such as diarrhea, gas or stomach discomfort. Ice cream also contains sugar and fat that cats do not need, and in some cases artificial sweeteners or added aromas such as chocolate can be dangerous.

Since cats do not have taste receptors for sweetness, they do not actually enjoy ice cream for the sugar, but rather for fat and creamy. A safer way to treat Callie is to offer specially formulated Cat goodies or a little cooked chicken or fish. If you want something cool on a hot day, you can even freeze a little cat milk or even cat-safe broth cooked without onions, garlic or added spices in ice cube trays and let her lick or beat them for enrichment. You might even want to try one of these 5 homemade cat ice cream recipes. In this way, she enjoys a fun and safe alternative without risking stomach disorder.

Bon appétit!

– Dr. Paola

Help! My cat doesn’t pee in her cold box!

“Dear Dr. Paola,

Bella does not pee in her litter box. She wants to pee elsewhere, as on pee
Mats or at doors. What can we do? “ – Robert

Hi Robert,

Thank you for reaching out about Bella. When a cat stops using the litter box, the very first step is to make sure there is no medical problem in games. Urinary tract infections, cystitis (cat idiopathic cystitis), crystals or stones can all cause a cat to avoid the box because they associate it with pain. A veterinary check, including a urinalysis, is the best way to exclude this before assuming it is purely behavioral.

If Bella is medically healthy, the focus changes to her environment. Cats are very special, and things like the type of litter, cleaning the box, its location or even household stress can affect their choices. As she uses mats or walks near doors, it suggests that she wants another substrate or marks areas linked to territory. Offering multiple boxes in quiet areas, experimenting with intended fine grains and cleaning accidents with an enzymatic detergent can make a big difference. If stress is part of the image, synthetic pheromond riffs and maintenance of predictable routines often help cats to feel safer.

Because inappropriate urination has many possible causes, a veterinary evaluation is important to guide the next steps. When health concerns are excluded, addressing Bella’s preferences and stress factors usually helps bring her back to consistent use of litter box. If you find out that you need extra support with her behavior at this point, call us on the pang. We can provide personal guidance tailored to Bella’s environment and needs.

Best,

Dr. Paola