Cats often experience allergic reactions to an array of substances. These allergies can be quite brutal, so you need to take every precaution to help your feline avoid allergic reactions. At times, it is not possible to completely stop allergies but you can take steps to reduce the reactions that they get.
What Are Cat Allergies?
These occur when a cat's immune system becomes overly active and responds to typically harmless substances. A few are made up of dust, pollen, or specific foods. A cat may suddenly develop allergies, even without any prior issues.
Symptoms of Cat Allergies
A cat allergy can rear its head in all sorts of ways. Some cats get itchy skin, while others start sneezing. Some felines will have an unsettled stomach. As a cat parent, you must recognize and understand these cat allergy symptoms in order to provide appropriate therapy.
Skin-related Symptoms
Skin problems are the most common signs of allergies in cats. Scratching like crazy or licking a specific spot on their body until it’s bald or red, means they are dealing with an allergic reaction. Little bumps or scabs called hot spots can appear at times. These will be terribly uncomfortable for your kitty. Zoetis pet blog warns against mistaking a skin disease for an allergy. Closely monitor the changes in your cat’s daily habits. Share them with the vet so that they can make a proper diagnosis based on your observations.
Respiratory Symptoms
Sneezing a lot, coughing and a runny nose indicate an allergy. Pollen or dust in the air can make them react this way. Sniffling and wheezing is common, it appears just like they have the cold. It is all in an attempt to deal with whatever has triggered the allergic reaction.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Food sensitivities are bad because digesting certain foods becomes a herculean task for the poor feline. Vomiting and diarrhea, followed by a decline in appetite are all associated with it. They could also feel uneasy following meals. So what’s happening is that something they are eating is reacting badly and their body is showing signs.
Common Causes of Cat Allergies
Food Allergies
Your cat might be allergic to some ingredients since birth or an allergy to a specific ingredient may develop suddenly. This can be difficult to track but you have to start by keeping a record of what they eat. Notice which foods give them an allergic reaction and start eliminating the ingredients one by one.
Environmental Allergies
Pollen, mold, dust mites, and even some cleaning agents can cause allergic reactions in cats. Sneezing or itching more at certain seasons of the year or while using a certain cleaner indicates that they have an environmental allergy. All sorts of allergens settle closer to the ground so cats are more likely to come into contact with them.
Flea Allergies
Some of the worst reactions in cats are triggered by a flea allergy. Flea saliva can be an allergen and one tiny bite can cause a big reaction. The poor cat will start scratching like crazy or bite at their skin.
Atopic Dermatitis
A type of environmental allergy, it affects the skin badly. The reaction to environmental factors makes it red and itchy. This drives the cats crazy as it's similar to eczema. PetMD says that, at times, atopic allergies can imitate skin or environmental allergies, so stay alert. These itchy skin patches might need medical attention for much-needed relief.
Diagnosing Cat Allergies
A feline allergy is not that easy to catch. An accurate diagnosis will only come from your veterinarian. All allergy symptoms can resemble those of another illness so it gets a bit confusing. The vet may begin by inquiring about the symptoms and any behavior alterations you may have observed. They may conduct tests such as blood work or an elimination diet to identify the specific cause. Experimenting may be the necessary and most effective approach to uncovering the real cause.
Treatment Options
Medication
Cat allergy medicine can help manage the symptoms. Your vet might suggest antihistamines for itching or steroids to reduce inflammation. If your cat has respiratory symptoms, there are meds for that, too. It’s all about finding the right balance to keep your cat comfy without going overboard.
Diet Changes
Cat food allergies are common, so changing their diet can make a big difference. Special hypoallergenic diets can help. You can always try switching to a new protein source like duck or venison. It’s like doing a bit of detective work with food—trying different things until you find what doesn’t cause a reaction.
Environmental Management
Making some changes around your home can also help reduce cat allergic reaction. Airborne allergens can be reduced by using air purifiers and by vacuuming more often. Hypoallergenic cleaning supplies will also go a long way. These small adjustments can add up to be very significant for your cat's comfort.
Preventing Cat Allergies
Regular Grooming
A lot of pet parents might underestimate the importance of frequent brushing in allergy prevention. The allergens on your cat's coat are easily shed along with the loose fur and dander. A mild bath can also eliminate allergens, so factor it in from time to time.
Flea Control
Cat allergy treatment also includes keeping the fleas at bay. The cat might be allergic to them. A vet-recommended flea preventative treatment should be used regularly. Also, keep checking your cat for signs of fleas. Fleas can even affect an indoor cat, so be on the lookout.
Environmental Adjustments
Think about making some changes to your home environment to reduce allergens. Use hypoallergenic cleaning products, keep dust levels down, and consider investing in air purifiers. All these little steps can contribute towards cat allergy relief.
Conclusion
All cat allergies can be successfully managed at home. Minor adjustments all around the house can make a big difference to your cat’s quality of life. Change their diet and keep the house squeaky clean. Medication can also help your cat feel better quickly. Rely on your vet for support while navigating this tough journey.
