Ask Dr. Paola – litter problems, chickens and strange breathing (September 2, 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 is always rubbing!

“We have a 2-year-old, castrated male treasure, Cosmo, which we adopted from a local shelter when he was about 12 weeks old. We never had any problems with him using the litter box until recently when I went on a 2-month vacation, and my husband took responsibility for taking care of cosmo. Hope) Cosmos’ Human “so we had a routine every day that included playing, cuddling and brushing him every night before bed. Set down pee pads. Can stop this behavior? ” – Jeannie

Hi Jeannie,

Thank you for sharing Cosmo’s story in such detailed; It really helps to understand the situation. Cats are very sensitive to changes in their environment and routine, and what you describe sounds like a stress -related reaction that became a new habit while you were gone. Although his urine looks normal to the eye, it is still important to rule out medical causes, such as a urinary tract infection or bladder inflammation, as these conditions can cause discomfort and cause cats to associate the litter box with pain, causing them to choose alternative spots. A veterinary visit to control his urine and overall health would be the first step.

If medical problems are excluded, focus is changing to behavior and the environment. As Cosmo clearly formed a strong bond with you, the disturbance of his daily routine may have created stress and reinforced this new urination. Concrete is especially difficult because it is porous, so urine is softened deep into it and even hangs for the surfaces of the surface. The best way to tackle this is to saturate the area with an enzymatic detergent designed for pets urine so it can suck for several hours or overnight so the enzymes can reach deep into the pores. This may be necessary to be repeated, and whose odors persist, it is often the only way to block remaining scent to seal the concrete with a pet -safe product. Along with this, try blocking his access to the laundry room for a few weeks and reinforcing his ties with you through play, brushing and routine. Synthetic Feromondiffusors can also help reduce stress and encourage consistent use of litter box. With time, texture and insurance, most cats turn to their boxes fully when both health and the environment are addressed.

Good luck!

Dr. Paola

Help! Should I worry about my chickens around my cat?

“Daisy is always around me when I feed my chicks and little chicks, and
She has never shown interest in chasing them or harming them in any way.
The chickens even come up to her and seem to love her. But I have had a few
Family members (none of them own cats) tell me that this is dangerous and
That I trust my daisies too much. In 3 years there have been no problems, and
She is almost 10. Shall I continue to trust her?” – Charles

 

Hi Charles,

Daisy’s gentle behavior around the chickens and chickens speaks to her temperament, life experience and the safe bond she shares with you. At almost 10 years old, with a long history of peaceful coexistence, the likelihood of her suddenly turning predators is low, although it is important to remember that cats are instinct -driven animals, and behavior can sometimes change under new circumstances or stress factors.

It sounds like Daisy has learned to connect the chickens with certainty and routine rather than prey. That said, I would still recommend some precautions for common sense. Just as we would not leave a small child who was not monitored around a swimming pool, even a trusted cat should not be completely unattended with vulnerable chickens. Supervision allows you to quickly intervene if the dynamics ever change and it helps to strengthen positive interactions. With your attentive presence, Daisy can continue to be part of this peaceful little community and you may feel sure you are balancing confidence with certainty. But keep an eye on, thank you, things can change in a second.

Sincerely

– Dr. Paola

Help! My cat always seems to the spirit!

“Dear Dr. Paola,

Ever since Silver was a kitten, she has made this weird sound, as if she is the breath of a quick like outtake of air, just as she sucks in a quick breath and quickly lets it out like a cough/sneezing if it makes sense. Why is she doing that? She is 3 years old and still does if she gets really excited or angry. Any ideas?“ – Christine

Hi Christine,

The way you describe Silver’s breathing episodes sounds a lot like what we call a “reverse sneezing.” This is a fairly common occurrence in cats and dogs where the soft palate or nasal passenger becomes irritated, leading to a sudden spasm. It creates the distinctive snorting or honking sound, almost as if the pet is trying to suck air inward quickly. Tension, sudden movement or environmental irritants such as dust can sometimes trigger these episodes.

The good news is that reverse sneezing is usually harmless, especially if the silver has done this since the kitten remains healthy and the events are short -lived. Because signs involving breathing can sometimes overlap with other conditions such as asthma, nasal polyps or respiratory irritation, it’s always best to get your veterinarian to listen to her lungs and upper respiratory tract to make sure there is nothing more about. A short exam gives peace of mind and ensures that you do not lack an underlying cause. In most cases like Silver’s, this simply becomes part of her unique behavior rather than a health threat.

Best,

Dr. Paola