Cat Allergies

A cat allergy is a hypersensitivity to a substance. If the body becomes hypersensitivity to a substance, the immune system attacks the substance. This immune system response can cause an allergic reaction. The wide range of things can be responsible for a cat allergy. Food ingredients, dust, pollen, flea saliva, fibers, chemicals, or medications can cause allergies of cats.

Cat allergies can cause discomfort. A sign and symptom of cat allergy is itching and scratching of the cat’s skin. Skin irriation is most common for allergies of cats that are caused by flea bites or having skin contact with another trigger such as chemicals or wool bedding. The cat may lose hair in the affected area. Some cat allergies can cause nasal discharge or discharge from the eyes. Cats may develop respiratory signs and symptoms of cat allergies such as coughing, wheezing, and sneezing.

Cat food allergies usually develop in response to a protein in the food like beef or pork. Even if the cat has eaten the same food for years, the cat may develop a cat food allergy. Signs and symptoms of cat allergy to cat food can include vomiting and diarrhea. Cat food allergies can produce signs and symptoms of cat allergy that affect the skin. If the veterinarian thinks that the cat allergy is due to cat food, the veterinarian may put the cat on a hypoallergenic diet.

Flea saliva is a common cause of allergies of cats. If a cat with fleas develops patches of red skin that may be swollen and cause cat scratching, the cat may be allergic to flea bites. There is no cure for allergies. If the allergy of cats is due to fleas, the flea infestation should be treated to remove the cause of the cat allergy.

For the treatment of cat allergies, the cat owner should attempt to limit the cat’s exposure to the substance that is causing the cat allergy. Using hypoallergenic shampoo is helpful for some cats. The veterinarian may have suggestions for treatments for different allergies of cats.

Sometimes, a steroid injection is used to stop the allergic reaction. This does not cure the reaction. If the cat is exposed to the substance again, the cat is likely to have another allergic reaction. There is a process of desensitization to some substances that trigger allergies. It requires a lengthy series of injections and can be very expensive.