Cats are intriguing animals.
Sometimes it is hard to tell if they are well or not. Most cats will have that time of day when they just have the crazies.
Then the majority of the day is lounging, grooming, or sleeping
Occasionally, you might notice something that seems odd to the behavior you are seeing in them day in and day out.
This change in behavior can be the signs of something that requires your attention.
Just like humans, cats can suffer from things within their environment. When the surroundings change, the behavior of the cat can change.
Cats, like humans, can suffer from allergies.
Allergies can come in several forms for your cat.
So what is wrong with my cat and how can I help them from suffering?
What is the best treatment for cat allergies?
In this article, we will discuss what those allergies are, how you can recognize them, what to look out for, and how to treat them so your cat can live a stress free life from these allergies.
What Is Cat Allergies?
Cat allergies are very similar to the human allergies.
They can come in three different categories:
- Environmental allergies
- Food allergies
- Flea allergies
The flea and environmental allergies are like the human hay fever allergy. The symptoms are similar and can be caused by items within the surroundings that the cat and human can be irritated by.
A food allergy is complicated by certain ingredients in some cat foods that your cat can be sensitive to.
Gastrointestinal symptoms will usually follow a food allergy and that makes it important to be careful as to what you might be feeding your cat.
Here is list of allergens that can cause allergy symptoms in cats:
- cat litters
- prescription drugs
- fleas and flea control products
- house cleaning products
- some perfumes and colognes
- food
- pollen, mold, mildew, plants, and other organic substances
- cigarette smoke
- some fabrics
- some rubber and plastics
How Can I Recognize The Symptoms?
As in humans, the symptoms can be the same.
- Sneezing and coughing
- Runny and itchy eyes
- Ear infections
- Snoring because of an inflamed throat
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sensitive paws
If your cat is having the symptoms above, a visit to your local Vet is probably needed. The vet will want to do blood test if he expects allergies.
He may want to change the cat’s diet if a food allergy is suspected.
Cats can have skin allergies as well and The Vet may want you to see a Vet Dermatologist.
Food allergies in cats can be from the fatty contents or even some protein that are present in some food such as chicken.
When you discover this as the reason, you will need to read the ingredients and keep your cat away from these types of foods.
How Do I Treat My Cat For Allergies?
The best way to treat cat allergies is to remove the offender from the cat’s environment.
Prevention is the best treatment for flea allergies. An effective flea control program for all your pets early in the season will go a long way to prevent a flea infestation.
If your cats loves to go outdoors, they will be exposed to the threat of fleas more than the indoor cat. It only takes a carrier to 
get your cat infected. So watch out for the flea on your dogs as well.
Litter can be an offender. Stay with cat litter that is unscented and dust-free. The chemicals in the scent can cause cat allergies.
If dust is the culprit, then stay with dust free litter and keep the Cat’s bedding vacuumed well.
You may need to step up the frequency of vacuuming around your house such as the carpets, rugs, and even the curtains in your house.
Bathe your cat more often as this will help the itching and skin irritations. Pollen from the air can be trapped in the hair and attach to the skin.
Use your Vet’s recommended shampoo to help with these allergies in the treatment for your cat.
If your cat develops a food allergy, then you will need to change the food or even cook the diet for your cat yourself. The Vet can recommend home cook meals for your cat’s condition.
What Medications Can I Give My Allergic Cat?
In the cases where medication is required to treat your cat’s allergies, the Vet can recommend that you follow medications listed below.
Cortisone or Steroids
These will need to be prescribed by your Vet and follow strictly the application of these medications. These are normally used for airborne allergies. These medications can come as injections from the Vet.
Antihistamines
Benadryl is a common antihistamine that can be used for allergies that cause skin irritations.
Fatty Acid Supplements
These supplements are used for skin irritations. A natural remedy for these are sprays that contain oatmeal, aloe, or other natural products that can be applied as well.
Flea Prevention
Flea collars or sprays are a great way to prevent the unwanted visitor on your cat. I wrote an earlier product review on one of the most popular cat flea and tick collars that is the most effective in fighting the cat flea infestation.
Prevention Is the Best Medicine
Prevention is the best medicine for anything that ails your cat or even you.
So you need to be cautious and recognize what makes your cat sick.
- Awareness
- Diagnosis
- Treatment and Prevention
- Medication and Treatment
These are the main ingredients in keeping your cat healthy and safe from allergies that you and your cat can have or contract.
All of my cats have been indoor cats, but they even occasionally like to venture outside. We have always had dogs as well, so you need to be aware of what they can give to your cat (Fleas or Ticks).
I would love to hear what you think about cat allergies and what is the best treatment for cat allergies.
Please leave a comment below and I will get back to your ASAP.
