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Allergies in cats: everything you need to know

By Charlotte Francesca Stiles, DVM

We’re all familiar with allergies in humans; however, did you know that cats can also suffer from allergies? If you or your veterinarian suspects that your cat may have an allergy, you may be looking for some more information as to what that actually means.

So, in this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about allergies in cats, by answering the following questions:

Disclaimer: Please refer to the information in this article as a guide only. If you think that your cat may be suffering from allergies, it’s best to contact your veterinarian.

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What are allergies?

You and your four-legged friend’s bodies have amazing mechanisms within the immune system, which help keep us protected from diseases. However, sometimes these mechanisms don’t always react the right way.

When it comes to allergies, it’s good to understand that they are the result of an over-the-top or unwanted reaction by the immune system. This often means reacting to things which are of little threat to the body or that don’t actually warrant a response from the immune system (we’ll talk more about that later).

There are different types of allergies, and they are usually classified according to how long it takes for the reaction to begin, and the types of cells involved. In this article, we’re focusing more on longer-term allergies, such as food, environmental and flea allergies.

Short-term allergic reactions, such as those involving insect stings or vaccinations, are a different type of allergy than what we’re talking about in this article, however, are definitely worth recognizing.

If your cat shows any of the following symptoms, it’s best to take them to your veterinarian as soon as possible:

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What are the symptoms of allergies and what can my cat be allergic to?

Symptoms of longer-term allergic reactions can vary, often depending on the part of the body affected and what is causing the reaction (the stimulus).

We’ve listed some examples of things cats can be allergic to below, along with some of their most common associated symptoms:

How are allergies diagnosed in cats?

Diagnosing allergies can be a tricky business. This is because, as you can see, many of the symptoms associated with allergies are non-specific. This means that they aren’t necessarily associated with a specific cause.

Diagnosing allergies will start by your vet asking you a detailed history of your pet’s condition, which may include some of the following questions:

After that, your veterinarian will examine your pet from toe to tail, paying particular attention to problem areas. Depending on their findings and the information you discussed with them, they may recommend one of the following:

Diagnosing allergies in cats is often tricky and can take a long time. It’s best to give your veterinarian as much information as possible and follow any instructions or advice as carefully as possible.

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How are allergies treated in cats?

Just as is the case in dogs, allergies in cats are usually treated symptomatically. This often involves using a variety of methods to help relieve symptoms and get your pet to feel more comfortable.

We’ve listed some examples below of how allergies can be managed in cats:

Always check with your vet

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article and that it’s helped you understand a little more about allergies in cats. If you’re worried about your pet’s condition, it’s best to contact your veterinarian for proper diagnostics and treatment.