Cats and Allergies

  

Despite some cold snaps here and there, spring is finally arriving in most places.  It's a very happy time of year but also one that sends many people to the pharmacy for allergy pills, sprays and tissues!  Does allergy season mean anything for cats?  Do they get them?  Actually, they do! 

 

In general, for cats there are four allergy triggers:  things found in their environment, fleas, food and seasonal allergies.  They can all impact cats in  different ways.  Pets.webmd.com gives a very detailed description of what's included in each of these four areas, what about them affects cats and and how they work.  You may be surprised to know that your cat could be allergic to the perfume you wear! 

 

For all four types of feline allergies - and like the ones that impact people - they are triggered by what cats breathe in, what they touch and even eat.  Allergic reactions and symptoms may not appear in cats until they get older but some are born with sensitivities.  Indoor-only cats may also be more susceptible to seasonal allergens since they spend most of their time in houses.  Cats with asthma could be more prone to allergies, too.  Many of the signs and symptoms of seasonal and other allergies are similar for cats and people.  

Vetdermclinic.com lists the following common feline allergies symptoms to look for:

• Scratching at skin and ears
• Overgrooming
• Head shaking
• Ear infection or odor
• Chewing on their paws
• Vomiting or hair balls
• Hair loss
• Sore-like lesions on the skin (also called eosinophilic plaques)
• Crusts on skin
• Lethargy
• Irritability
• Scratching at the eyes
• Watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Excessive coughing or sneezing

To that comprehensive list add snoring and, in some cases, even diarrhea.

Using a seasonal pollen allergy as an example, a cat's symptoms may progress from one to another.  When pollen is present in your house, your cat may begin to have itching in his ears or on his skin.  Scratching will lead to more inflammation and also sores.  The longer it goes on the worse it will get and your cat may get a secondary infection and experience personality changes, too. This same progression can happen with the other allergy areas, too.

So what do you do if you see your cat starting to have itchy ears or skin or sneezing?  First, take your cat to your veterinarian, who will know your cat's history, the environment he lives and an any other conditions that might be related to allergies.  It may take some time, several tests or a trip to an animal dermatologist to figure out exactly what is causing the allergic reactions.  This was the case with BCR's Creamsicle, who has a whole range of allergies that it took time to accurately diagnose and treat.  While figuring all this out, your vet can help manage the symptoms to keep your cat as comfortable as possible.

The vet may also recommend specific treatments for your cat (like cortisone to control itching or antihistamines) as well as some lifestyle changes that you can do around your house, like bathing your cat to relieve itching, making sure you dust your home often and washing your cat's bedding on a regular basis. 

As with most things related to your cat's health, being aware of possible allergens and being watchful for changes in your cat's behavior are both keys to successfully treating allergies.

CLICK HERE to read the vetermclinic.com article.

CLICK HERE to read the pets.webmd.com article.