Histamine Effectiveness for Allergies in Cats

Allergies are one of the most common aliments in pets, and occur nearly as often in cats as in people. Treating the histamines caused by allergies with antihistamines is a safe and effective therapy in felines.

  1. Allergic Dermatitis

    • Allergic dermatitis is a skin sensitivity due to allergens. Symptoms include scratching, hair loss, "hot spots," red, broken skin, or respiratory distress. Causes of this allergy in cats can include pollen, dust, foods, chemicals, or certain medications.

    Histamines

    • Histamines are biological agents that are responsible for inflammation in cats. With allergies, histamines can cause inflammation in the skin or respiratory tract, which result in the common symptoms of itchy skin and sneezing or respiratory distress.

    Antihistamines

    • Like the drugs for people, antihistamines help alleviate the discomfort caused by allergies. Essentially, antihistamine medications reduce the inflammation caused by histamines.

    Types of Antihistamines

    • Benadryl (Diphenhydramine), Chlortrimaton (Chlorpheniramin), Atarax (Hydroxyzine), and Tavist (Clemastine fumarate) are all antihistamine medications that are safe to use in pets (and people). Before administering to a cat, check with a veterinarian to verify the appropriate dosage for the animal's body weight and age.

    Side Effects

    • Much like in people, cats may experience drowsiness after taking an antihistamine. Side effects are typically mild, and are generally safe for cats. Antihistamines offer one of the safest and effective treatments for allergies in cats.