Do you suffer from watery eyes, an itchy nose, and general irritation? Then, it must be allergy season. Did you know, just like people, cats can develop allergies, too? Some of the same bothersome symptoms you develop after exposure to an allergen cats can also experience. Imagine how miserable allergies make you, then imagine what it must be like to suffer and not be able to communicate your suffering to your best friend.

At Pure Peak, we want to help pet parents identify and treat common cat allergies so you and your furry friend can breathe a little easier.

Can Cats Get Allergies?

Yes. Cats can have allergies, just like humans. An allergy is an immune response to a substance in the environment that is harmless to most people and animals. When a cat is exposed to an allergen, the body reacts to the typically harmless protein with an immune response, identifying the substance as dangerous. This immune response is an overreaction to the substance, which can cause numerous symptoms affecting the airway, skin, or digestive system.
While allergies are known to be an immune system overreaction to generally harmless substances, it is unclear why particular cats develop allergies and others don’t.

Common Cat Allergies

In cats, there are generally four types of allergies: insect, food, environmental, and contact. Insect allergies, most associated with flea bites, occur during a flea infestation. Fleas are parasites that feed on the blood of living animals. Proteins in flea saliva can cause a significant allergic reaction beyond typical itching and irritation in some cats. Flea allergies can trigger intense itching to the point where a cat may scratch the area, creating an open wound or hair loss. When left untreated, these wounds can become infected.

Environmental allergens, sometimes called atopic dermatitis, are caused by pollens, grasses, molds, mildew, and dust mites in the air. The symptoms of environmental allergies can come and go depending on the season. Ragweed, cedar, and grass pollens are common environmental allergens that occur seasonally when these plants thrive. Mold, mildew, and mite allergies can be more consistent and last year-round.

Cats can also suffer from food allergies, which may be challenging to diagnose. Food allergies are rare in cats but can be caused by beef, fish, chicken, and sometimes wheat, corn, dairy, and egg. Contact allergies are also not common but occur when a cat physically encounters an allergen, which results in a localized skin reaction. Collars, flea collars, shampoos, or certain types of bedding can result in an allergic skin reaction.

Symptoms of Cat Allergies

How can you tell if your cat is having an allergic reaction to something in its environment? If you don’t speak cat language, your cat can’t tell you what the issue is. However, you can monitor your pet and look for some of the most apparent signs that your furry friend is distressed and may have an allergy.

Some of the most common signs of allergies in cats can include:

  • Itching
  • Excessive scratching
  • Excessive licking or grooming
  • Hair loss
  • Sores and scabs
  • Skin irritation and inflammation
  • Digestive issues

If you notice these or any other symptoms unusual for your feline, talk to your veterinarian as soon as possible. Allergies are more than just annoying and uncomfortable. They can lead to secondary infections and other health concerns. Cats can also experience anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock, which is an extreme allergic reaction that can be life-threatening and even fatal.

Cat Allergy Treatment Options

Allergy treatment options vary depending on your cat’s condition. Treating a flea allergy means combating the initial infestation with medication and then adding a flea and tick treatment to your cat’s health and wellness regime to prevent further irritation and allergic reactions. Several flea treatments are on the market today, so finding the perfect option that fits your furry friend’s needs is easier than ever, especially if your cat is allergic to traditional flea collars.

Treating environmental allergies can be more challenging. First, you and your veterinarian may attempt to identify the allergen or narrow down the most logical suspects. Does your outdoor cat suffer from seasonal allergies? It may be time to turn them into an indoor cat, especially during the worst allergen months of the year. Many cats also respond well to corticosteroids and antihistamines, which help block the allergic reaction.

Another long-term allergy treatment option may be immunosuppressive drug therapies. This classification of drug suppresses the immune system, limiting the immune system’s overreaction response. It is unsuitable for sudden allergic flare-ups and can suppress the immune system to the point where it can be harder for your cat to ward off infections.

Desensitization via “allergy shots” may also be a potential treatment option for environmental allergies. Your vet may determine the exact allergen through a blood test or intradermal skin testing, then use an allergy-specific serum to introduce small amounts of the allergen to your cat’s immune system. Over time, the body learns how to “reprogram” the immune system, training it not to overreact to the allergen. The therapy can sometimes reduce the severity of the allergy, making it less bothersome.

Food allergies can also be tricky because you must isolate the food causing the adverse reaction. Most vets test for food allergies by asking pet parents to start an elimination diet to identify the allergen or by switching the cat to a hypoallergenic cat food formula. An elimination diet works by eliminating all potential allergens from a cat’s diet, then reintroducing common allergens slowly and one at a time to see which ingredient triggers a response. Since it takes time for all food products to get removed from the body, you must strictly follow elimination or hypoallergenic diet guidelines for at least eight to twelve weeks. That means no treats, no table scraps, nothing that could interfere with the test.

Contact allergy treatments are more straightforward and typically require the removal of the allergen from the cat's environment and potentially a topical cream or ointment.

Clean Wellness Products for Your Pet Are Only a Click Away

If you are looking for clean, quality-assured pet products for your furry family members, you’ve come to the right place. At Pure Peak, we care about the health and well-being of your forever companions and believe that all pets deserve to live a happy and full life. Our products are the pur-fect companion to your feline's routine.