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 Refuses to Drink Water!

“Hi Dr Paola,

My cat Greta refuses to drink water and continuously sticks her tongue in and out. What do I do?“- Pat

Dear Pat,

When a cat like Greta refuses to drink and you notice repeated tongue movements, it often suggests discomfort rather than simple pickiness. Think of it like having a sore spot in your mouth, you would also move your tongue around trying to relieve that sensation. In cats, this can be associated with oral pain such as dental disease, ulcers, a foreign body, or even nausea. Reduced water intake is especially important because cats are not well adapted to compensate, and dehydration can develop quietly but quickly.

This combination of signs deserves prompt veterinary attention, as a physical exam is needed to assess her mouth, hydration status, and overall condition. In the meantime, offering moisture-rich fresh or wet food or adding a little water to her meals can help support hydration, but this should not replace proper evaluation. Given what you are describing, an in-person exam remains the safest way to keep Greta comfortable and address the underlying cause early.

Kind regards,
– Dr. Paola

How Do I Catch a Wild Pregnant Cat?

“We are trying to catch a wild, pregnant mother cat so we can have her spayed. We have live traps set, but it would be nice to have something natural to calm and sedate her so we can safely catch her, and also so she does not harm herself. Can you help us? We also have 5 or 6 wild kittens, 10 months old in the same situation. Thank you!”  – Tony

Hi Tony,

It is wonderful that you are helping this queen and her group; that kind of intervention makes a real difference in community cat welfare. I understand the desire to keep her calm, but there are no safe or effective “natural” sedatives you can give to a feral cat. Products like herbs or supplements do not reliably reduce stress, and anything strong enough to sedate could be dangerous without proper dosing and monitoring. In cats, especially pregnant ones, sedation must be handled very carefully by a veterinarian because even small errors can affect breathing, body temperature, and the kittens.

The safest and most humane approach is exactly what you are already doing, using humane live traps with good technique. Placing highly palatable food like sardines or tuna, covering the trap with a towel to reduce visual stress, and setting it in a quiet, shaded area can make a big difference. Once trapped, keeping the trap covered helps the cat feel secure, just like dimming the lights in a stressful room. For transport and surgery, most trap-neuter-return programs and veterinarians are experienced in handling feral and pregnant cats safely, including appropriate sedation once they are under professional care. Thank you for having your heart in helping her, but my advice here is that avoiding at-home sedation is key to keeping everyone safe.

Sincerely,

– Dr. Paola