Allergies in cats: types, symptoms, prevention

Like us humans, even cats can experience allergies for a limited time, and more frequently than you think. They can be of various kinds, such as food allergies, those resulting from flea saliva, insect bites or some environmental substances. Together we will analyse the most common allergies, how to prevent and treat them.

What are the most common types of allergies in cats?

3 of the most common allergies are:

●     Flea bite allergy (saliva)

●     Food allergy

●     Environmental allergy

Unfortunately, flea bites are not uncommon, and they can affect our cats. The main symptom is severe itching, damaging subsequently the skin tissues.

Regarding food allergy, there are some foods that unfortunately can cause allergies in our beloved cats, mostly animal-derived proteins, as well as for wheat and additives.

Environmental allergy is linked to natural elements such as herbs, pollens and plants. These allergies can also develop from detergents or dyes used at home. The main disease linked to this problem is atopy, also known as atopic dermatitis, which causes itching to our dear cats.

Major allergy-related symptoms

There may be many allergy-related symptoms in cats, including:

●     Intense and chronic itching, which causes the cat to scratch, lick and even injure

●     Redness and rash

●     Loss of hair, often symmetrical (alopecia)

●     Digestive problems (vomiting, stomach pain)

●     Breathing problems, such as shortness of breath

●     Ear infections

All naturally occurring agents that cause these allergy-related symptoms are called allergens.

The cat should obviously be taken to a qualified veterinarian for an examination, as some symptoms of allergies can be confused with other diseases, such as respiratory problems that can often also lead to feline asthma. It may be necessary to remove fur from our cat to check for any parasites. In addition to this, it is likely that your veterinarian will request a blood and urine sample, to be 100% sure of the feline’s condition.

How to best feed our cat to prevent allergies?

Nutrition is essential to avoid allergies, with products such as supplements and hypoallergenic dry cat food, produced by brands like I Love My Cat. These products limit the damages related to food allergies, and in some cases strengthen the immune system of the cat that consumes them. Since ‘prevention is better than cure’, it is better to keep your cat away from potential allergens, also avoiding subjecting it for a long time to the same type of food. The excessive amount of the (potentially allergenic) substance could cause damage to the cat’s digestive system, causing vomit, diarrhoea and various pains. One idea may be feeding the cat with food produced with insect proteins, which exclude potentially harmful food allergens.

Regarding atopy, it is possible to carry out a treatment on your cat to avoid fleas and parasites, which are often the most widespread and among the most dangerous in nature. Treatment depends heavily on the allergen and the duration, persistence and variety of symptoms.

Atopic dermatitis can be a big problem, which however does not put the life of your cat at risk, but its treatment requires persistence and dedication.

The goal must be improving our cats’ life, and knowing the secrets and advice related to this topic can only benefit your knowledge, increasing the awareness that our animal friends need care and attention.