Usually when we talk about cats and allergies, we're talking about runny-nosed humans with itchy eyes. But cats can have allergies too, even serious ones.
How do you know if your cat has allergies? And how do you prevent and treat them? If you're concerned about your pet, read on about allergies in cats!
Common allergies in cats
Cats can be allergic to many of the same things as humans. Common causes of feline allergies include:
Airborne allergens
Cats may be sensitive to mold, mildew, dust, and pollen from grass, weeds, or trees. A common source of allergies is actually the dust from open litter boxes, particularly if using scented litter. A cat allergic to this type of allergen will likely present with watery eyes and respiratory issues.
Food
Your cat may be sensitive to wheat, dairy, certain protein sources, or other food items. If your cat has food allergies (to cat food or human food), you're likely to notice an itchy head and neck, which may be accompanied by digestive issues like vomiting and diarrhea.
Fleas and flea control products
Some cats are not only hypersensitive to flea bites, but also to the products that treat fleas. If you see particularly itchy hindquarters, especially around the tail, your cat may be allergic to fleas. Reactions to fleas and flea medication usually present as skin problems.
Houseplants
Unfortunately, many houseplants are toxic to cats. Symptoms may range from skin rashes and gastrointestinal upset to life-threatening emergencies. Find out which houseplants are safe for cats and which plants to avoid.
Medications
Cats can have drug allergies, and may show a range of symptoms like digestive upset, itchiness, and wheezing—or even have life-threatening reactions.
Materials
Cats can be sensitive to fabrics containing wool or nylon, as well as rubber and plastic materials, which will most likely present as skin issues. If you notice acne on your cat’s chin, try switching your plastic food bowls to glass or stainless steel.
Human-based allergens
Your cat may be sensitive to you and the products you use around the home. Things like essential oils, perfume, cigarette smoke, cleaning products, and candles can irritate kitties, too.
Can cats be allergic to humans or dogs?
And for that matter, can dogs be allergic to cats? The answer to all of these questions is yes; however, it is quite rare for cats to be allergic to humans, dogs, or other cats, as it is rare for dogs to be allergic to cats.
Allergy symptoms in cats
Just like in people, allergies can manifest in multiple ways. Most commonly, no matter the source of the allergy (something eaten, a bug bite, something inhaled), your cat will present with skin problems.
Your cat may scratch and lick at his itchy spots so much that secondary bacterial infections occur. Symptoms often present as:
- Skin itchiness that causes scratching, rubbing, or head shaking
- Hot spots (round lesions or infected sores)
- Hair loss or discolored fur
Respiratory symptoms and digestive upset are also possible:
- Sneezing
- Coughing or wheezing
- Congestion
- Snoring
- Runny, watery eyes
- Itchy, infected ears
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Allergy diagnosis
Depending on the symptoms your cat presents, your vet may be able to make a pretty good diagnosis upon your first visit. You'll be able to get started on the prescribed treatment, and see how it goes. Allergies can be a moving target and may require several attempts before finding the ideal combination of treatments to relieve your cat's symptoms while keeping him clear-headed and side effect-free. Moreover, your cat's allergies may be seasonal, so at certain times of the year, one thing works, and at another, a different treatment is required.
To diagnose allergies more precisely and treat them more effectively, your vet may refer you to a veterinary dermatologist to perform bloodwork and intradermal allergy testing. Intradermal testing involves injecting potential allergenic substances into the skin and gauging the reaction (don't worry: your kitty is sedated for the procedure, so pain is minimized). It's similar to the series of pricks humans get during allergy testing. Or, your vet may work with you on eliminating potential allergens from the environment to systematically isolate the source of your cat's allergies. Once your vet has a clear idea of the source of your cat's allergies, they can develop a treatment plan.
Allergy treatment
There are several ways to treat and manage allergy symptoms in cats, depending on how severe they are.
Avoid the allergen
Begin by reducing exposure to allergens by helping your cat avoid them. Depending on the source of the allergy, avoidance may be simple (e.g., remove the food containing the allergen) or may require an ongoing lifestyle change. By working with your vet to nail down the sources of your cat's allergies, you'll know what to help your cat avoid.
For airborne or environmental allergens such as dust, dust mites, molds, and pollens, help your cat avoid exposure to allergens by:
- keeping your pet away while vacuuming
- washing your cat's bedding regularly in hot water
- using the air conditioner during hot weather (and changing the filter regularly)
- keeping pets out of rooms with carpeting and basements
- laying down plastic or allergen-blocking liners on bedding, couches, or pet furniture
- tending houseplants diligently to prevent mold growth or removing houseplants entirely
- keeping kitty inside when pollen levels are high and when lawns are being mowed
- removing shoes at the door to reduce allergens in the home
- using a low-dust, unscented cat litter in a semi-enclosed litter box, particularly a self-cleaning litter box
Topical treatments
Try a soap-free shampoo or rinse with some cool water. Despite the stereotype that cats hate being bathed, the cooling relief offered by a colloidal oatmeal rinse, for example, can make the bathing experience pleasant and inviting. Gently blot your kitty dry with a soft towel, then follow up with a topical ointment if prescribed by your veterinarian. Be careful where you apply the creams as your cat will likely try to lick the area in an effort to soothe it further. Using an Elizabethan collar, or e-collar, while applying topical medications is typically recommended. After you apply a cream, distract your cat with a meal, treats, or playtime. Topical treatments are good for comforting your kitty during acute allergic episodes, but don't offer long-term relief.
Antihistamines
Just like in humans, antihistamines offer effective allergy relief. However, only certain antihistamines can be used in cats (and only with your vet's consultation). The most commonly used antihistamine, also known as an H2 blocker, is diphenhydramine (Benadryl). While there are several other medications that can be used in cats, the dosage instructions, including frequency, should only come from your veterinarian and be prescribed in light of your cats’ other health conditions, if they have any. Possible side effects include sedation, decreased appetite, dry mouth, lethargy, hyperactivity, constipation, and diarrhea.
Omega-3 fatty acids
As part of a multi-faceted treatment plan, omega-3 fatty acids can help manage allergy symptoms in cats. Depending on the severity of your pet's allergies, supplementing his diet with omega-3 fatty acids may reduce or eliminate symptoms, especially in conjunction with an antihistamine. It takes daily dosage over many weeks (likely months) to see improvement, so stick with it. But be careful: other types of fatty acids including omega-6 fatty acids may make your cat's allergies worse. Ideally, you should supplement your cat's diet with omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish oil in a diet that is low in fat.
Steroids
For especially tough cases, your veterinarian may resort to corticosteroids for your cat's allergies. They are very effective, but can also have short- and long-term side effects. It is recommended that steroids be used at the lowest effective dose to minimize side effects—and your veterinarian can schedule doses to zero in on that level.
Steroid allergy treatment can either be injected or taken orally (in tablet form). Each form has pros and cons, but because it is difficult to give some cats pills, injectable steroids are often used. When injected, the treatment effects can last between one week and six months depending on the particular drug and cat. That said, oral steroids in the form of pills make it easier to manage dosage and side effects. If side effects appear, you can simply reduce or discontinue treatment (whereas once a steroid is injected, you cannot remove it). Short-term side effects of corticosteroid treatment for allergies in cats include increased water consumption and urination, increased appetite and weight gain, depression, and diarrhea. Long-term side effects typically result from long-term, high-dose use of steroids and can include immunosuppression, diabetes mellitus, and liver problems among other things.
Immunotherapy
For those who can commit themselves to long-term treatment, allergy shots or daily oral spray/drops are a promising option. Sometimes known as hyposensitization treatment, allergy shots consist of specific doses/concentrations of the precise allergens your cat is allergic to. Each week or so, you take your cat to the vet for a shot and, over time, your cat's immune system becomes desensitized to the allergens. It can take up to two years to become effective.
To treat your cat's allergies, you and your vet will have to work together to come up with what works best for your cat's wellbeing and your lifestyle. It may take some patience to properly identify your cat's allergies and the ideal balance of treatments, but both of you will be so happy you took the time and energy to do it.
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