Cat Allergy Symptoms

Features

• Cats suffer from some of the same symptoms that human allergy sufferers do, such as runny nose and sneezing. Symptoms may vary depending on the type of allergy, but often include wheezing, diarrhea, skin irritation and hair loss. Symptoms usually range from mild to moderate and may become worse when in contact with the allergen.

Effects

• Allergies can make your cat miserable. She may scratch constantly in an attempt to relieve severe itching. She may chew, lick or bite at herself repeatedly. Such behavior can result in inflamed and irritated skin as well as hair loss. Repeated sneezing, wheezing and diarrhea can result in lethargy and loss of appetite. Diarrhea could lead to dehydration.

Causes

• There are several allergens that can cause a reaction in your pet. Your cat could be allergic to certain foods, plants, fleas, household chemicals or even a material such as a rug or blanket. Pets are often allergic to airborne pollens such as dust. Cats that are allowed outdoors may be allergic to grass and/or flowers. Some felines, like their human owners, suffer from hay fever allergies.

Diagnosis

• Determining the specific allergens that are troubling your pet can be difficult. Diagnosis includes a visual examination and laboratory tests such as serum allergy tests. Intradermal skin tests are also done to detect specific allergens. These tests are performed by injecting small amounts of allergens under the skin to identify the allergens that are triggering the reaction. Flea allergy can be detected by examination of the skin, as well as detecting fleas and flea debris. Food allergies are detected by special food elimination diets, which can take several weeks to detect offending foods.

Treatment

• Treatment depends upon the type of allergy and the offending allergen. Topical medications can be prescribed for skin allergies and antihistamines are often given for treatment of airborne allergies. Once the allergen has been identified then treatment can be geared to the specific cause of the allergy. The main focus of treatment is to alleviate symptoms such as itching, sneezing or diarrhea. The veterinarian may suggest allergy shots if necessary.

Prevention/Solution

• The best prevention is to remove or eliminate the offending substance, although this is not always possible. If the cat is allergic to grass, flowers or plants, it would be best to keep the pet indoors to limit exposure. Food allergies often become apparent when switching food brands or adding foods to a homemade diet. When adding foods or switching brands, do so slowly. Take steps to keep your pets free of fleas to prevent skin irritation and hair loss due to flea allergy. Use natural substances for household cleaning to lessen the chance of allergy due to chemicals. Give your cat a supplement containing omega-3 fatty acids which lessen the immune system's reaction to allergens. Omega-3 fatty acids are also excellent for healthy skin and coat, and will help heal any skin irritation that has occurred due to allergy.