Yeast Allergies in Cats

Allergies are common in cats and can be caused by nearly any potential allergen, including yeast. In some cases, a yeast infection can occur and trigger an allergic reaction in the cat.

  1. Identification

    • About a thousand different species of yeast exist, including the yeast used to ferment alcohol or bake bread. Any type of yeast can cause a potential allergic reaction in a cat.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of allergies in a cat include flaking of the skin, red skin lesions, mutilated skin, licking, rubbing, chewing or scratching of the skin. Some cats may develop small scabs or pull out tufts of their own fur.

    Diagnosis Techniques: Elimination Trials

    • In an elimination trial, food items or ingredients are removed until the offending ingredient or food is identified.

    Diagnosis Techniques: Blood or Intradermal Testing

    • Blood tests are used to test the reaction of the blood sample to potential allergens. Meanwhile, cats undergoing intradermal testing will have potential allergens injected into the skin to test for a reaction.

    Treatment

    • If the yeast is an ingredient in the food, a change in diet may be all that is necessary. Other treatment options include antihistamines, topical itch-relief or anti-fungal medications if a yeast infection is present.