When you discover the phrase “ kat allergies , ” your mind probably goes to mankind who are allergic to computerized tomography . That ’s not surprising , as an estimated 10 to 20 pct of people are allergic to our feline protagonist ( 1 ) . But humans are n’t the only ones who suffer from allergies — kat can also be supersensitized to many of the same things as multitude .
Luckily , cats are nottypicallyallergic to world , but we do share some common allergen . Cats can be supersensitive to environmental allergens like dust and pollen , certain types of food for thought , and flea saliva . But how can you say if your cat has an allergy , and how do you pinpoint what is causing the reaction ? Here ’s what you need to have intercourse .
Signs of Allergies in Cats
The most common signs of environmental and flea allergy in cats are seen in the peel and ear . “ Skin and ears can become itchy . There could also be fur loss , ” explains Emily Swiniarski , DVM , main medical officer of PAWS Chicago in Chicago , Illinois . “ However , cat are very secretive , so you might not see them scratching . ”
hombre with allergy often get junior-grade skin infections or have red bumps , specially if flea are involve . Cats can also get a rash - like pelt condition called miliary dermatitis in response to allergens .
In addition to slenderize fur behind the spike , allergic reaction cats can have inflammation and hair departure on the face , neck , modest back / rump , venter , and thighs .
With food for thought allergies in cats , the most usual sign is fidgety , peeved skin . That being said , there is the possibility that a intellectual nourishment allergic reaction could also cause GI symptoms , such asdiarrhea , vomiting , switch in appetency , and weight going .
It can be very hard to name allergies in cats . “ Sometimes we jest that cats do n’t interpret our textbooks , because there can be a broad variety of clinical presentations for different ill , include allergies , ” says Dr. Ekaterina Mendoza - Kuznetsova , V.V.Z. , DECVD , adjunct clinical professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in North Grafton , Massachusetts . “ On top of that , it can also be difficult to severalize allergies from standardised experimental condition . ”
What Are Cats Allergic To? Common Allergens
As mentioned sooner , Caterpillar and mass can be allergic to many of the same things . “ Anything that could create allergies in a human can make allergies in a cat , ” Dr. Swiniarski says . “ They can be allergic to all kind of pasturage , pollen , and plants , as well as dust tinge , flea , and dogs or other pets . ”
allergy in cat can be broken down into a few universal categories , include :
Perhaps the most common allergen for cats is flea bite . “ With a flea allergic reaction , a individual snack can cause a supersensitised response that could potentially last for a couple of weeks , ” Dr. Mendoza - Kuznetsova pronounce . “ And you might never see a flea . All it takes is one morsel and for the flea to startle to a different host . ”
What Plants Are Cats Allergic To?
In addition to common environmental allergens like detritus and molding , pollen propagate by plants can cause allergies in cats . Common culprit let in Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree pollen , sess pollens , sess pollens , and flower pollen .
If your cat is shew signboard of an environmental allergy , your veterinary surgeon may treat them without knowing exactly which allergen is to blame . “ Cats can be allergic to a variety of grass , tree diagram , shrubs , and peak , but it ’s operose to enter out which one is make the reaction , ” Dr. Swiniarski says . There is also a deficiency of scientific research into which plants computerized axial tomography might be most allergic to . This may have to do with how difficult it is to diagnose allergic reaction in cat .
What Foods are Cats Allergic To?
When it come to food allergies , qat are most often supersensitive to proteins , such as meat and dairy farm . vulgar food allergens in cats include :
Food allergy can give of a sudden , even if a cat has been eating the same solid food for class , Dr. Mendoza - Kuznetsova notes . “ A cat may have been eating chicken for a decennium without any problem . But all of a sudden — and no one know why — this cat may break an allergy to chicken . Onset is unpredictable . ”
Cats can not be hypersensitized to a food that they have never try before , Dr. Mendoza - Kuznetsova adds . So , if a computerized axial tomography presents with a chicken allergy , a coarse solution is to transition that cat ’s diet to a novel protein , such as lamb .
How to Help Your Cat with Allergies
If your veterinarian determines that your computed tomography is suffer from allergies , there are some steps you’re able to take to help your feline associate .
For cats with flea bite allergy , the most important step is to get them on a goodflea control Cartesian product . “ It may take a few month , but a flea control product will decrease the figure of flea around a CT , which will conduce to less bites , ” Dr. Mendoza - Kuznetsova says .
If your quat has a food allergic reaction , an elimination dieting is necessary to pinpoint the solid food that is cause the payoff . “ The only room to diagnose a food allergy is a diet trial , which is very strict and not soft for finical eaters like cats , ” Dr. Mendoza - Kuznetsova explain . You will work with your veterinary surgeon to consistently remove different intellectual nourishment from your cat ’s diet until there is an improvement in symptom . To confirm that a particular component is the perpetrator , you tot it back to the dieting and see if clinical augury reappear . Any offending foods are then for good removed from your cat ’s diet .
As for environmental allergy , there are intracutaneous cutis test uncommitted , but they are not generally used to make diagnosing . “ They ’re only used for identify what a true cat is belike sensitized to once we determine that cat is suffering from an environmental allergy , and they ’re only apply after a clinical workup has been done by a vet , ” Dr. Mendoza - Kuznetsova pronounce .
It ’s insufferable to keep your cat good from all allergen , especially I like pollen and debris that get into your house , no matter how clear you keep it . That means that pet parents who have cats with environmental allergic reaction should centre on treating symptom , rather than trying to prevent them from happening .
“ Your vet may recommend an antihistamine like cetirizine — also known as Zyrtec — to help extenuate your computerized axial tomography ’s symptom , ” Dr. Swiniarski pronounce . “ We also have medications that can help with itchiness that we prescribe relatively frequently . ” Many cats with allergic reaction ordinarily need more than antihistamines alone — they might ask cyclosporine ( Atopica ) or another immunomodulator . Allergy shot ( allergen - specific immunotherapy / ASIT ) are also used in cats to help meliorate their tolerance to allergen .
As with any medical issues , pet parents should work with their true cat ’s care squad to arise a discussion program and should not give any medicament without consulting with their vet first .
