The Most Common Cat Allergies

Humans aren’t the only ones who can suffer from allergies; your cat could experience them as well. Cat allergies can appear as intolerance to certain foods, irritation from pollen or other environmental substances, or skin reactions ranging from mild to extreme.

If you notice a change of behavior in your cat from excessive coughing or sneezing to runny eyes, increased vomiting and diarrhea, excessive licking, scratching, or reddened skin, it’s possible that he or she is experiencing an allergic reaction to something.

Read on to learn more about how allergies are diagnosed, what types of allergies are most common in cats, and how to treat them.

The Most Common Types Of Cat Allergies

Allergies in cats manifest in four forms: flea, food, environmental, and seasonal.

Environmental Allergies

Cats can have allergic reactions to the same substances humans do: pollen, fungi, mold, grass, dust, and more. Cats can also respond negatively to cigarette smoke, perfumes, and even certain cleaning agents.

Flea Allergies

Fleas are a nuisance for any animal they infect. But for cats having an allergic reaction to their saliva, the entire body can be affected – not just the bitten area. Fleas are more of a concern for outdoor cats than indoor ones, but you can still invest in flea prevention products to protect your cat.

Food Allergies

Certain proteins or additives in foods can cause vomiting, itchy red skin, or loose stool. Your vet can conduct a “test diet” to diagnose this particular allergy. If your cat does have food allergies, a prescription diet may be needed.

Atopic Dermatitis

This skin condition shows up as reddened skin, with loss of hair in the infected areas. If your cat is itching constantly, atopic dermatitis could be the culprit.

How Cat Allergies Are Diagnosed

Your vet will examine your cat, inquire about his medical history, and perform a complete exam. Allergy testing involves looking at samples of blood, skin, or both – neither test is considered better or more effective than the other. These samples will be sent to a lab for evaluation. Once the problem is diagnosed, your vet will discuss solutions and treatments.

How To Treat Cat Allergies

Managing allergies will involve managing how often your cat is exposed to irritating substances. This could mean making some changes in your home, such as switching to dust-free litter and keeping your home as free from dust as possible. Other solutions could be baths with an anti-itch shampoo, flea, and tick medicine, washing their bedding more often, and changing up their diet.

Cat Allergy Medications

Common allergy treatments for cats include cortisone pills, topical ointments that are applied onto affected areas, antihistamine injections, and flea prevention medication. Cats don’t love having to be given pills, so wrapping them in a towel first may be helpful. You could try hiding the pill in their food or a treat. Ask your vet for tips and recommendations.

Help For Cat Allergies In South Florida

Cats can be pretty good at hiding discomfort or pain, but allergies tend to be more noticeable. If your cat exhibits any of the behaviors we described, make an appointment right away. The sooner you bring your cat to see us, the sooner we can help her start to feel better.

All Aboard Animal Hospital proudly serves the animal residents of Pompano Beach, Florida. Our compassionate staff treats your pets like we do our own. From regular preventative care to allergy treatment, we offer a wide range of feline veterinary services for every stage of your cat’s life. For questions or to schedule a veterinary appointment, call us today at 954-785-7780.