Can Cats Get Sick From Mold?

About 15 percent of cats suffer from allergies, according to Cat Health Guide, and one of the more common irritants is mold. Many people know to avoid mold, whether in food or in their surroundings, because of the unpleasant symptoms and illnesses these exposures can cause in humans. You may not know, however, that mold can also bring on sickness in animals, including cats.

  1. Causes and Sources

    • Cats are exposed to mold primarily in two ways, from eating something contaminated with mold and from breathing mold toxins in their environment. Tremorgenic mycotoxins, toxins produced by certain molds, can lead to mold sickness. These toxins can grow on food such as dairy products. Indoor air that's contaminated with mold toxins can also cause sickness in cats.

    Symptoms

    • Even though your cat can't tell you how he's feeling, observing him for telltale signs can help you determine whether he might be suffering from mold illness. A cat who is sick from mold often loses hair, develops skin rashes and licks his paws because they're itchy. He might chew or scratch his skin and rub his face on the floor. Weakness, vomiting and appetite loss are other possible symptoms. Although humans experiencing mold sickness often deal with watery eyes and a runny nose, these reactions are not quite as common in cats. Tremorgenic mycotoxin exposure can result in fine muscle tremors, which eventually can lead to tremors and potentially dangerous convulsions that involve the entire body.

    Diagnosis

    • If you think your cat might have gotten sick from mold, contact your veterinarian's office. The vet may perform some diagnostic tests, such as skin or blood tests. Take your cat to the vet or emergency vet immediately if his face looks puffy or swollen, because he could be experiencing a serious allergic reaction. A cat's health usually improves when he receives veterinary care for tremorgenic mycotoxin poisoning, but it's important to address such a serious and potentially dangerous illness promptly.

    Treatment

    • Avoidance is a key treatment for mold illness in cats, so stop all exposures to mold in food and in the cat's environment. The vet might prescribe medications such as antihistamines or glucocorticoids. Allergy shots offer another treatment. Certain dietary supplements containing healthy fat like fish oil or sunflower oil might also prove helpful. For skin issues, baths in soothing shampoos can be beneficial. Some cases of mold sickness require emergency treatment and even hospitalization.

    Prevention

    • Your strategy for preventing mold sickness in your cat must include avoiding mold as much as possible. Carefully examine food that you give to your cat, looking for any visible mold or rancid smells. Do not give your cat any food that shows signs of mold, and when in doubt, play it safe by discarding any possibly moldy food. Keep all food in your house put away so that your cat can't inadvertently get into food that could have mold in it. If your cat spends time outside, monitor the areas where he goes to make sure there's no moldy material that he could eat.

    Home Hygiene

    • To avoid environmental exposures to mold, keep your home clean at all times. Immediately address any signs of moisture and mold, such as visible mold or musty smells. Bathrooms, basements and other damp areas of the home are common sites for mold to develop. Water leaks, flood damage and high humidity levels can also lead to indoor mold development.