Show Does My Cat Have Allergies?
Like humans, cats can experience allergies to all kinds of different stimulants called allergens. If you notice that your cat seems to be feeling under the weather and is constantly scratching herself or sneezing, it could be a sign that she’s experiencing allergies. If you happen to be an allergy sufferer yourself you’ll know just how miserable she must feel! Fortunately, feline allergies are very treatable. Once the allergen is identified it’s simply a matter of removing it from your cat’s environment or treating it with medication. Allergy symptoms in cats are quite similar to what humans experience. If you notice any of the following symptoms in your cat, she could have feline allergies:
It’s not uncommon for cats to exhibit some of these symptoms sporadically, but if they are ongoing contact your veterinarian. The first step to alleviating your cat’s allergies is figuring out what is causing them. A visit to the vet is the easiest way to narrow down your cat’s allergy stimulus, but generally speaking, cat allergies fall into one of 3 categories:
Cat food allergies can result in vomiting and diarrhea as well as itchy skin, particularly around the head and neck. In severe cases, this type of allergic reaction may even cause your cat to lose patches of hair. Environmental allergies may have many different triggers, including pollen, mold, and plants. This type of allergy may also be triggered by something like cleaning products or the perfume found in certain types of cat litter. Usually, environmental allergies in cats will present in the form of coughing, sneezing, itchy skin, swollen paws, or ear infections. Flea allergies in cats can be triggered by the flea bites themselves or the medication used to treat the fleas. The most common symptom for this type of allergy is excessive itching. If you notice your cat scratching frequently, or chewing on her fur, particularly right above her tail, it’s probable that she is allergic to fleas. Your vet will be able to help you develop a treatment plan to remove the allergens and ease the symptoms. After taking a detailed medical history, your vet may use blood tests and skin scrapings to help determine the allergen your cat is reacting to. Often, once the allergen is identified, removing it from your cat’s environment will relieve the symptoms and your furry friend will go back to normal. In some cases, such as pollen allergies, that may not be as easy to do. To determine the cause of cat food allergies, you will have to put your furbaby on an elimination diet, and slowly reintroduce food elements until you can identify the offending allergen. Once you know which food ingredient is causing the allergic reaction it’s just a matter of avoiding it! If your cat happens to have an allergen that cannot be easily eliminated from her environment (say, dust or pollen) there are still ways to help her feel better. Bathing your cat regularly can help alleviate the itching caused by environmental allergies, such as pollen. There may also be medications that you can give your cat for these hard-to-avoid allergens. Antihistamines, cortisone, or steroids can be used to relieve allergy symptoms in cats. Ultimately, your vet will be able to determine the best treatment option for your furbaby! None of us want to watch our furry friends suffer from allergies, and we certainly don’t want our wallets to suffer as we treat them. A pet insurance plan can help cushion the cost of your cat’s medical expenses throughout her life. Looking for more ways to protect your kitty? Consider investing in a cat insurance policy with MetLife Pet Insurance.1 Get your free quote today.
Nothing in this article should be construed as financial, legal or veterinary advice. Please consult your own advisors for questions relating to your and your pet’s specific circumstances. 1 Pet Insurance offered by MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company (“IAIC”), a Delaware insurance company, headquartered at 485 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10022, and Metropolitan General Insurance Company (“MetGen”), a Rhode Island insurance company, headquartered at 700 Quaker Lane, Warwick, RI 02886, in those states where MetGen’s policies are available. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is the policy administrator authorized by IAIC and MetGen to offer and administer pet insurance policies. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC was previously known as PetFirst Healthcare, LLC and in some states continues to operate under that name pending approval of its application for a name change. The entity may operate under an alternate, assumed, and/or fictitious name in certain jurisdictions as approved, including MetLife Pet Insurance Services LLC (New York and Minnesota), MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions Agency LLC (Illinois), and such other alternate, assumed, or fictitious names approved by certain jurisdictions. 2 Provided all terms of the policy are met. Application is subject to underwriting review and approval. Like most insurance policies, insurance policies issued by IAIC and MetGen contain certain deductibles, co-insurance, exclusions, exceptions, reductions, limitations, and terms for keeping them in force. For costs, complete details of coverage and exclusions, and a listing of approved states, please contact MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC.
Being itchy is no fun and your cat doesn’t enjoy scratching all day either. One of the most common causes of itchiness is allergies, and cats can have allergies of all kinds. MissionVet is here to help pet owners understand the most common allergies in cats and how they are treated. Common Types of Allergies in CatsThere are different kinds of allergies that cats can experience. Like people, cats can have allergies to foods, medications, plants, and more. These allergies generally come with symptoms such as:
The most common allergies in cats are either environmental, fleas, and/or food. Each of these allergens can cause the symptoms listed above. Environmental AllergiesIt can be hard to protect your cat against environmental allergies such as pollen, grass, fungi, mold, and dust. Since these allergens often can’t be avoided, your cat may need one or more allergy treatments to prevent flare-ups. Additionally, cats can be allergic to cigarette smoke, perfume, and cleaning products. All of these are a product of the environment that your cat lives in that could cause problems for the feline. When possible, try to avoid any products that seem to irritate your cat or cause allergies. Flea AllergiesWhile most animals will become itchy when bitten by fleas, a flea allergy can make your cat incredibly sensitive to just a few flea bites. When a flea bites your cat, the saliva can irritate your cat all over, not just where your cat was bitten. To prevent a flare-up, it is best to keep your cat from getting bitten in the first place. You can help them avoid flea bites by using a flea prevention product year-round. Ask your veterinarian which of the many flea prevention products are recommended for your cat. Food AllergiesThe third most common allergy that cats deal with is a food allergy. Cats can be allergic to a variety of different foods much like humans. Food allergies can be hard to diagnose, but many food allergic pets feel much better once you find an appropriate diet. Generally, food allergies cause itchiness of the skin; between ten and 15 percent of cats may also have gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. Diagnosing and Treating Allergies in CatsTo diagnose allergies in cats, a veterinary dermatologist can look over your pet’s medical history and perform a physical exam. In some cases, a test can be performed to look for environmental allergies. If your veterinarian believes that the allergy is food related, they may want to narrow down the cause by changing your pet’s diet until they eliminate the problem food. When it comes to battling allergies, in some cases, the best thing that you can do for your cat is focus on prevention. If your cat has allergies to cleaners, medications, foods, plants, or other things that are avoidable, try to keep them away from these items. For things like pollen or dust, your cat may need medication to treat the allergies, because these things are very hard to avoid. Treating allergies can be complicated if the source of the allergies can’t be determined. It may take some time with a veterinary dermatologist to find the source of your cat’s allergies. Allergies and AsthmaCats with asthma are likely to be more affected by allergies than cats without asthma. If your cat has both allergies and asthma, your veterinarian can prescribe medications that will help open your cat’s airway in the short-term. Long-term solutions may include corticosteroids. Remember that cigarette smoke is very dangerous for cats with both allergies and asthma. As a general rule, it is never a good idea to smoke around your pets, but for those with preexisting medical issues like asthma, it can be detrimental to their health. |