What can I give my cat for allergies?

If your cat is scratching and sneezing excessively, they might be experiencing an allergy. Here, our vets in Turlock discuss the causes of cat allergies and what you can give them to help manage the symptoms.

What are the symptoms of allergies in cats?

If your cat has allergies, the symptoms that they experience can include:

If your cat shows any of the symptoms above, you should schedule an appointment with your vet to diagnose the cause of their reactions.

What are the types of allergies commonly experienced by cats?

Four types of allergies are common in cats: environmental, fleas, food, and seasonal. Here, we discuss each of these common allergens in greater detail.

Environmental Allergies: Pollen, grass, fungi, mold, and dust can cause environmental allergies. Your cat may also be allergic to cigarette smoke, perfume, and cleaning products.

Flea Allergies: When a small external parasite known as a flea bites your cat, it causes an allergic reaction that can irritate. The saliva from a flea bite can affect a cat's entire body, not just where the cat was bitten. Your veterinarian can help you choose the right flea-prevention product to help protect your cat.

Food Allergies: Some cats may have allergies to certain foods. This can cause skin itchiness, vomiting, or diarrhea. Your veterinarian can help you determine which foods irritate your cat and create an appropriate diet. 

Atopic Dermatitis: When a cat experiences allergies, their body can often react to a skin condition called atopic dermatitis. With this condition, your cat may develop skin sores, scabbing, hair loss, and redness.

How are cat allergies diagnosed?

If your cat exhibits itching, scratching, or wheezing, your vet will perform a comprehensive physical examination and review your cat's medical history. Additionally, they will advise conducting laboratory tests to confirm your cat's diagnosis.

Cat allergy testing can be carried out using a blood or skin test. In the case of a blood test, the vet will extract a blood sample from your cat and send it to a lab for analysis.

The vet administers small injections just beneath the cat's skin for the skin test. If your cat is allergic to a specific substance, they will develop a hive (itchy, red, raised bump) on the contact spot.

Do indoor cats suffer from allergies?

Indoor cats can indeed develop allergies. Even if a cat primarily stays indoors, it can still encounter a range of allergens, including dust mites, mold, and pollen that may enter the home through clothing, shoes, or open windows.

Cats living indoors can also exhibit allergies to household items like food and cleaning products. Numerous cleaning products contain chemicals that can trigger respiratory problems and cat skin irritation.

What are the treatment options for cats with allergies?

Veterinarians use a multifaceted approach to treat pet allergies. They address clinical signs like excessive itchiness and secondary bacterial or yeast skin or ear infections.

If your cat has seasonal allergies, the treatment options will depend on the allergen and the reaction it triggers:

• Prescription shampoo (antibacterial or antifungal)
• Prescription ear flushes
• Anti-inflammatory topical medications
• Oral antibiotics
• Itch relief medication, such as Atopica
• Injectable monoclonal antibody therapy
• Corticosteroid therapy

If your pet has mild seasonal allergies without a skin infection, over-the-counter antihistamines might be an option for allergy relief. Benadryl, Zyrtec, and Claritin are commonly used allergy medicines for pets. Always consult your vet before giving your cat any medication.

What can I give my cat for allergies?

While there are some medications you can give your cat to treat the effects of allergies, home remedies can also help alleviate certain symptoms. Lifestyle changes that can make a difference include:

Home Improvements: Making your home as hypoallergenic as possible can help your cat with allergies. Consider installing an air cleaner with a HEPA filter and ensuring your fabric surfaces are cleaned often.

Soothing Baths: Your veterinarian may recommend bathing your cat with a pet shampoo containing oatmeal. (If your pet is on a flea medicine, check with your vet to ensure the topical flea or tick medication won't be washed away, reducing the effectiveness.

Dietary Supplements: Supplementing your pet's diet with fish oil can reduce flaky or itchy skin. Probiotics can also relieve cats from skin allergies by restoring balance to bacteria levels in their GI (gastrointestinal) tract.

Physical Blockers: A simple intervention for itchy pets is to have them wear some clothing to cover the itchy areas. This has been shown to reduce their need to scratch.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.