Cat Eye Allergies

Cat allergies occur when a feline's autoimmune system "overreacts" to some kind of allergen. When these "overreactions" occur, the cat will have several symptoms, one of those symptoms is eye allergies. Cat eye allergies are not a condition in themselves, but a symptom that your cat's system has become irritated by something.

  1. Symptoms

    • Cat eye allergies include eyelids that are red, eyeball cloudiness, a lot of tearing or discharge, dull-looking eyes and tear-stained fur surrounding the eyes. Cats also have a "third eyelid" that may come across the eye to indicate eye irritation. They may also rub or scratch at their eyes to indicate itchiness or irritation.

    Causes

    • Cats can be allergic to many different things including pollen, bug bites and foods. Inhalant allergies are allergies that come from airborne particles such as tree pollens, grass pollens and even household sprays and chemicals. Food allergies can develop from the grains or dairy products used in making cat food. However, according to fanciers.com, the most common irritants for cats are fleas. Cats become more sensitive to flea bites as they age. According to Paw Print &Purrs, Inc., one way to tell a cat's immune system is aggravated by fleas or other allergens such as pollen or food is an ocular (eye) discharge.

    Other Considerations

    • Cat eye allergies may lead to conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the eye membrane, but it can also be caused by either bacterial or viral infections. Cats can also suffer from such eye conditions as cataracts and glaucoma, so it is better not to diagnose the condition yourself, but to take your cat with eye-allergy symptoms to the vet.

    Treatment

    • Cats can be treated for eye allergies in the same way as humans can in some respects. There are antihistamine eye drops for cats. You can buy them without a prescription at pet stores. According to medi-vet.com, drops should be placed carefully into the cat's eyes without touching the surface. You can also purchase eye ointment for cats at pet stores and online without a prescription. For stronger concentrations of both ointment and eye drops, consult a veterinarian. Cat owners should check the instruction label for information on the dosage to use.

      It's important also to focus on treatment for fleas if you've determined that they are the cause of the eye allergy. There are many prescription topical treatments available that can be placed on a cat's skin over a period of time to eliminate flea bites. It's also a good idea to treat your home for fleas as well.

      According to Paw Print &Purrs, Inc., steroids can also block allergic reactions, and they can be administered to cats either orally or via injections. Also, antigen injections are a good treatment for inhalant allergies. They help to desensitize the cat by reprogramming its immune system. The cat is given weekly injections with the hope that over time, your cat will become less sensitive to the allergens.

    Expert Insight

    • Even though antigen injections and eye drops are commonly used to treat cat eye allergies, they may not be 100 percent effective. If allergies don't clear up, consult a veterinarian for more information.