Ask Dr. Paola – Bumps, Snuggles & Food Motivation (November 17, 2025)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we convey professional recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their canine’s well being and well-being.

Whether or not you’re a brand new pet guardian or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may hold your furry pal joyful and wholesome. Keep tuned for professional steerage on a variety of matters that matter most to you and your canine, so you can also make knowledgeable selections and supply the very best care to your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

Why Do Canine Have Bumps Beneath Their Whiskers?

“Hello Dr. Paola!

My toddler was taking a look at our canine, Rosa, the opposite day, and requested me why she has ‘a bump’ beneath her chin, which is sort of a huge canine mole with a whiskers popping out of it. She’s at all times had it — however I couldn’t actually reply why canines have them, so I believed I’d ask! 😊 “– Nicole

Hello Nicole!

What an exquisite and observant query out of your toddler. That little “bump” beneath Rosa’s chin is more than likely certainly one of her vibrissal follicles, that are the specialised buildings that maintain her whiskers (vibrissae). These whiskers will not be atypical hairs; they’re deeply embedded within the pores and skin, surrounded by blood-filled sinus tissues and sensory nerves that assist canines detect even the slightest air motion or adjustments in close by surfaces. In lots of breeds, you possibly can really feel or see these small raised areas the place the whiskers develop, particularly across the muzzle, eyes, and chin.

Consider whiskers as Rosa’s manner of “feeling the world,” very similar to how we use our fingertips. They provide her worthwhile spatial info that helps her navigate her environment and assess distances, even in dim mild. The small prominence beneath her chin is completely regular and an indication of her extremely developed sensory system. Except the realm ever turns into infected, causes discomfort, adjustments form, or develops discharge, it’s merely a part of her pure anatomy and nothing to fret about. In the event you ever discover that the realm turns into purple, swollen, or tender to the contact, that might counsel irritation or infection of the follicle, during which case a veterinary test can be smart. In any other case, Rosa’s “canine mole with whiskers” is just certainly one of her charming and useful options, a small reminder of how splendidly tailored canines are to exploring the world by way of contact and motion, and of why day by day psychological stimulation and enrichment are important for conserving our pups joyful and balanced.

Finest needs,

– Dr. Paola

My Canine is Out of the blue Snuggly – Ought to I Be Apprehensive?

“Hello Dr. Paola,

Vicky is an 8-year-old chihuahua, and he or she’s normally very unbiased, however not too long ago, she’s been tremendous snuggly. She is consuming as regular, similar stage of exercise, however simply enjoys being round us extra… it’s a bit bizarre although, as a result of she’s by no means been like this. Ought to I fear, or simply get pleasure from it? “ – Angelica

Hello Angelica!

It appears like Vicky is displaying a beautiful, affectionate facet of her character, and in lots of instances, that type of behavioral change typically displays emotional development or elevated attachment. As canines mature, they often grow to be extra people-oriented and search consolation and safety from their household. At eight years outdated, a Chihuahua is taken into account middle-aged, and it’s fairly regular for his or her emotional must evolve. Very similar to folks as they age who worth companionship extra deeply, canines could start to understand closeness in methods they didn’t once they had been youthful and extra unbiased.

That stated, it’s at all times sensible to remain observant. Even delicate behavioral shifts can often point out {that a} canine is feeling much less snug bodily. Situations equivalent to gentle joint stiffness, adjustments in imaginative and prescient or listening to, or early hormonal fluctuations could make a canine search reassurance and heat. Since Vicky’s urge for food, exercise, and general demeanor stay unchanged, this new cuddly conduct more than likely displays a standard emotional adjustment quite than sickness. Nonetheless, throughout her subsequent wellness go to, it might be good to say this variation so your veterinarian can guarantee every thing is in good order. For now, get pleasure from these extra snuggles; they’re her manner of displaying belief and affection, a beautiful reminder of how safe she feels together with her household. Take pleasure in her!

Finest,

– Dr. Paola

Assist! Can I Cease My Canine From Being So Meals Motivated?

“Yellow is a yellow lab who likes to eat (no surprises there). Is there any solution to cease a lab from being food-motivated on a regular basis, apart from feeding him each time he asks (which we don’t do)?”  – Hugh

Hello Hugh!

You’re proper, Labradors are famously food-motivated, and that trait is deeply rooted of their genetics. Studies have shown that many Labs carry a variation within the POMC gene, which is linked to a decreased potential to manage urge for food. This implies their brains don’t obtain the “I’m full” sign as successfully as in different breeds, so they continue to be all for meals lengthy after they’ve eaten. It’s not simply greed; it’s biology.

When you can’t change that underlying drive, you possibly can channel it productively. Structured mealtimes, measured parts, and using sluggish feeders or food-dispensing toys may also help fulfill Yellow’s must work for meals whereas stopping overeating. Incorporating coaching classes that use a part of his day by day ration as rewards turns his love of meals right into a studying benefit, reinforcing good manners and impulse management. Keep away from free feeding or responding to begging, as consistency teaches him that meals comes from calm conduct, not fixed asking.

Briefly, you possibly can’t cease a Lab from being meals motivated, however you possibly can information that motivation towards enrichment and wholesome routines. It’s certainly one of their most helpful traits when managed properly; in spite of everything, their eagerness to earn meals is strictly what makes Labs such trainable, eager-to-please companions. So use this properly!

– Dr. Paola

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