Cats can have seasonal allergies, too. Here’s what to look out for and how to treat it.
Seasonal allergies can happen to anyone. It can happen to you, your dog, and yes, your cat. Some cats may develop seasonal allergies that can make them, like anyone else, quite miserable. To help your cat survive its allergy season, here are the signs of cat seasonal allergies and allergy prevention methods.
How Seasonal Allergies in Cats Work
Allergies occur when the immune system mistakes a certain molecule to be harmful when it is not. The body then produces histamines to combat that molecule, which can result in some uncomfortable symptoms. The most common particles that cause cat seasonal allergies are dust, pollen, grass, mold, and fungi.
Symptoms of Allergies in Cats
Human beings typically experience a runny nose, itchy eyes, scratchy throat, sneezing, and coughing during an allergy. Cats can exhibit sneezing and coughing as symptoms of an allergy, but the predominant symptom is itchiness of the skin. This condition is called atopic dermatitis in felines.
This itchiness results in a variety of symptoms, including the following:
- Excessive scratching
- Redness of the skin around the chin, paws, and anus
- Excessive chewing or biting of the skin
- Open sores
- Lesions
- Scabs
- Hair loss
If not treated, your cat’s allergies can result in an even worse health condition. Naturally, it is best to work on treatment and prevention right away.
Allergy Prevention Methods
One can prevent seasonal allergies in cats through different means, and combined, these methods can keep your cat as comfortable as possible. One way is to keep your house clean. Regularly cleaning the surfaces, doing laundry, and dusting will help eliminate allergens within the home.
Another way is to clean your cat down with a damp, warm cloth to remove allergens on the coat. It can help to give your cat a bath, but you do not want to do this too regularly or else its skin can dry out.
Lastly, it could help to keep your cat indoors and keep the windows closed. Your cat can dwell in a zone with minimal allergens.
When to See a Vet
Your local vet can help in several ways. First, your vet can diagnose the seasonal allergy to confirm it is an allergy and not something more serious. Next, he or she could prescribe allergy medication suitable for your cat. Lastly, if nothing seems to help your cat, your vet can look into the problem further and help your cat’s health improve.
Trust the Care of Your Pet to the Professionals at Everhart Veterinary Medicine!
At Everhart Veterinary Medicine, our veterinary professionals strive to provide your pet with the very best of veterinary care. We believe that the best care for your pet should be provided by experienced, compassionate, and knowledgeable veterinary professionals. With two Maryland locations in both Baltimore and Pasadena, we are always ready to welcome your pet as a new patient! Give us a call today at 410-355-3131 or 410-793-7670! For more information, as well as updates on veterinary news and topics, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn!