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Cat allergies are more common than you think. They can also be caused by a large variety of things, so it’s not always easy to narrow down the root of an allergy.
It’s important to remember that allergies are not the end of the world - in fact, with early detection, your dedication, and the help of a vet, you can manage your cat’s allergies and give them a happy, pain-free life. Learn all about spotting the signs and managing symptoms in our guide below:
In short, allergies are the body’s immune response to certain substances. These substances, called antigens or allergens (e.g. pollen or dust), are usually harmless, but there are humans and even pets whose bodies overreact to their presence.
Once in contact with an allergen, the body then stimulates an inflammatory response, which causes allergy symptoms.
Allergies are typically a lifelong condition, and can show up later in life as well. Certain foods your cat used to enjoy might start causing allergic reactions out of nowhere. Your little furry friend might even deal with multiple allergies, which can make it hard to diagnose specific ones.
Here are a few of the most common symptoms of allergies in cats to watch out for:
Excessive scratching or licking, including overgrooming
Sores, scabs, crusting, tiny lumps/bumps, or acne
Areas of flat, reddened, swollen skin (eosinophilic plaques)
Areas of hair loss or thinning hair, poor or unkempt hair coat
Coughing, wheezing
Shortness of breath/trouble breathing
Sneezing
Watery nasal discharge
Upset stomach (vomiting, diarrhea, change in appetite)
Blood in stool
Weight loss
Facial swelling (most common around the lips, nose, and eyes)
Hives
Anaphylaxis
Any of these symptoms, if they show up regularly, are a sign that you should seek veterinary help.
Food and environmental allergies are the most common among cats, but there are a few more possible causes you should be aware of. Let’s break it down:
It's very common for cats to develop allergies to certain foods, though the actual causes are not as well understood. Your cat could be allergic to:
Certain proteins in food (e.g. beef, fish, or chicken) - also the most common
Grains, corn, or gluten
Any food additives and preservatives included in store-bought cat food
Some studies have shown that Siamese cats may have higher rates of developing food allergies. If you're caring for a little Siamese baby, it's best to be on the lookout for possible symptoms as early as possible.
Food allergies can produce any of the symptoms we previously mentioned, especially itching, digestive disorders, and respiratory issues.
Environmental allergies, also called atopy, or environmental allergies, are often found in Abyssinian, Devon Rex, and domestic short-haired cats under 3 years old. In cats, atopy manifests as an inflamed, itchy skin.
Environmental allergies are most commonly triggered by:
Pollen
Mold spores
Yeast
Dust and storage mites
Animal or human dander
While it is rare, some cats can suffer from allergic contact dermatitis - a delayed hypersensitive reaction to coming in contact with:
Plants (e.g. pollen, grass, leaves, trees)
Certain medications (e.g. ear medications, soaps, shampoos, insecticides)
Home furnishings
Rice flour
Chlorinated water
Some cats can be allergic to fleas (more specifically, flea saliva), triggering a hypersensitive reaction called flea allergic dermatitis.
Sometimes, the drugs you administer to your cat can cause a cutaneous drug reaction, after one dose or as a delayed reaction after multiple doses.
The drugs most commonly known to trigger this response are:
Antibiotics
Anticonvulsants
Antihypertensives
NSAIDs
Antiarrhythmic drugs.
Cats are also known to react to certain allergens in the air, which cause the airways to constrict due to inflammation (also known as allergic bronchitis).
Some of the allergens known to cause this reaction include cigarette smoke, hair spray, molds, pollen, various powder products and household chemicals, and air fresheners.
Studies have also shown that purebred cats are more likely to have airborne allergies than domestic short-haired cats.
If you notice your cat struggles with breathing (e.g. breathing with its mouth open, labored breathing), don’t wait - seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
If you suspect that your cat has allergies, the first step should always be to call your vet. There are many types of allergies out there, and only a vet can help investigate the root cause and prescribe an appropriate treatment.
Once the vet examines your pet, they might recommend going for allergy testing. This can be done by a veterinary dermatologist, but your general vet practitioner can also conduct a full physical exam while reviewing your kitty’s medical history.
Some potential tests vets do to rule out causes are:
Flea combs (for fleas)
Skin scrapes (for skin mites)
Tape prep (for bacteria & fungal infections)
Ear examinations (for bacteria and yeast)
Blood tests (to look for underlying medical issues)
Diet trials (to rule out possible food allergies)
Blood tests may take longer as the vet will need to send out the blood sample to a lab for evaluation.
Diet trials are even more complex. During a diet trial, your cat will need to only eat ingredients that it hasn’t been fed before (e.g. duck, rabbit, venison). This diet must be followed exclusively for at least 8-12 weeks (depending on the vet’s recommendation) to really see any improvements.
Your vet will also emphasize the importance of sticking to this diet religiously - this means no treats or supplements, no human food, nothing else besides the prescribed diet. This is because any small quantity of a possible allergen would invalidate the test.
If your cat’s symptoms improve after the food trial, your vet might do a presumptive diagnosis for food allergies.
After the vet determines what’s causing the allergic reaction, they can then prescribe the right solution. For example, in the case of food allergies, they might recommend following a lifelong hypoallergenic diet, which has been proven successful in treating many allergy-based skin issues.
Based on your cat’s specific allergy, your vet might recommend a combination of food and medications. Most commonly, they will prescribe:
Steroids (prednisolone/prednisone)
Anti-diarrheal protocols including probiotics, a bland diet, and fiber and/or pectin supplementation
Anti-nausea medication like Cerenia or Ondansetron
Immunotherapy, or allergy vaccines
Immunosuppressive therapy or drugs, like cyclosporine
Immunomodulating drugs like oclacitinib (Apoquel)
Antibiotics and antifungals for secondary infections (Convenia or itraconazole)
Pain medications (Onsior or gabapentin)
Topical therapy
Antihistamines (chlorpheniramine)
Flea and tick treatment
Hypoallergenic shampoos and wipes
Hospitalization
Oxygen supplementation
Just a note: You should never administer any medications or supplements without your vet’s recommendation.
One of the most important aspects of food allergy management in cats is introducing a hypoallergenic diet, free of any preservatives, additives, or artificial colors.
With Know Better Pet Food, you have access to homemade, hypoallergenic cat food made using 100% natural ingredients. You’ll always know exactly what your food contains, making it easy to address your cat’s specific dietary needs.
With a strong dedication to the health of our furry friends and countless happy stories from our customers, you can confidently switch to our raw diet products and give your cat the quality food it needs and deserves.
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