Allergies in Cats

Our feline friends may be famous for their nine lives, but this doesn't mean they are immune to allergies. Cats can indeed suffer from allergies. Our feline friends can get itchy and sniffly just like us humans do. Cats can have allergies to a wide range of different things including food, fleas, and things in their environment.  

If you've ever noticed your kitty scratching themselves or saw that their eyes seem a bit runny, it's worth chatting to your vet about the possibility of allergies. 

Our feline friends can develop allergies to lots of different things they are exposed to in their environments. These allergies can lead to various clinical signs. So what are the most common culprits that make our cats miserable?  The top contenders are flea-allergic dermatitis, food allergies, (typically chicken, fish, or beef) environmental allergies (pollen, dust mites, and mould spores), and chemicals or perfumes.

This is a very common allergy. A single bite from a pesky flea can cause your cat to start itching like crazy. They can end up with red inflamed skin, scabby patches, and hair loss. Interestingly, it's not the actual flea bite that causes the reaction, but certain proteins in the saliva of the flea. It is so important for parents to keep up to date with prescription flea medication to ensure their cats do not have a flea infestation. Your vet will be happy to advise you on the best flea medication for your cat. 

It is not common knowledge, but cats can develop allergies to ingredients in their own food. Common food allergies for our feline friends include fish, chicken, and beef, but there are other types seen. Often with food allergies cats will have chronic diarrhoea or intermittent vomiting and itchy skin.  

Once a food allergy has been identified, an elimination diet that removes the food causing the reaction can be started. Another option is a hypoallergenic diet that eliminates the suspected trigger. Your vet can help you navigate dietary changes. If you do change your cat's diet, it must be done gradually over a couple of weeks. 

Some cats react to things in their environment that they come into contact with, or breath in. Airborne allergens include things like mould spores and pollen. Dust mites can also cause allergic reactions in some cats. These things are often difficult to avoid and can irritate the eyes, nose, and skin. Cats often have watery eyes and sneeze a lot. Some cats can have reactions to strong scents or chemicals such as cleaning products. These can trigger allergic reactions when they come into contact with your cat. This can cause irritation and discomfort.  

The key to managing environmental allergies is to minimise exposure to allergens. This can involve strict cleaning measures, air purifiers, and switching to unscented products. 

In some cases, your vet might prescribe certain medications to help manage allergies. Antihistamines or steroids can help to manage symptoms and provide relief from constant discomfort and irritation. 

A final treatment option that your vet can help you with is desensitisation with a specific antigen injection. Your vet will determine the allergens your cat is reacting to, via a blood test or intradermal skin tests. A vaccine is then made to inject your cat with. The aim of this is to reprogram your cat's immune system response to the allergens. The aim is for the immune system to become less reactive to the allergen over time. 

Our feline friends won't be able to tell us when they are feeling itchy or wheezy, so it is up to us pet parents to do the detective work. The signs to watch for may include: 

Cats will scratch, lick, and bite at their own fur. They may also rub themselves against things or roll around on the floor. Hot spots for intense irritation often include their faces, paws, and the area around the base of their tail.  

Cats will often have quite obvious and angry skin lesions. Skin can be red and inflamed with scabby patches and sores galore. There can be raised areas called hives and other lumps and bumps. Lots of cats will experience hair loss. Some cats will get a swollen bottom lip or generalised swelling all over their face.  

Similar to us humans with hay fever, cats can also have itchy irritated eyes that water and a runny nose. They may also sneeze a lot and wheeze when they breathe. 

Food allergies can sometimes cause digestive problems such as excess gas, vomiting, and/ or diarrhoea. 

Allergies are a common problem in cats and can make life miserable for our feline friends. Fortunately, there are many different ways we can help manage them. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are vital for a good prognosis. If you are suspicious of your cat's scratching or sneezing and think they may be suffering from an allergy, contact your vet to arrange a check-up as soon as possible. If you want to get the low down on dog allergies, click here. Whether you want to know if dogs can get hay fever or how to handle a pollen allergy, Jollyes has all the advice and information to help pet parents navigate caring for their fur baby.