At the risk of jinxing the whole thing, it seems like spring has finally arrived. Though that often doesn’t mean much of a difference, weather-wise, this time of year can sometimes bring sunnier skies, blooming flowers, warming weather, and, if you’re not too lucky: allergies. However, it’s not just your wellbeing you have to watch out for during spring, but your cat’s too!
Allergies don’t only affect human wellness, but your furry little feline friend can also suffer with them. There are various culprits that put your kitty at risk. They could be environmental allergens, such as grass, weeds, dust, pollen, mould, feathers, and chemicals), or food-related, with you cat being allergic either to the food itself or some substance in the food. Your cat may also suffer allergic symptoms due to fleas or other parasites.
If you think your cat may be suffering from an allergy, look for the signs. Common cat allergy symptoms include irritated skin (which may be itchy, dry, or red and patchy), hair loss, sneezing, stuffy nose, runny eyes, vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy and behavioural changes. If you notice any of these symptoms in your pet, a trip to the vet may be in order. Your vet may suggest antihistamines, allergy shots, steroids, topical ointments, or special shampoos if your cat has an environmental or parasite allergy, but the only way to solve a food allergy problem is to figure out the culprit and eliminate it. Your vet can provide your cat with a special diet which will help you to work out what the exact cause is.
However, you can also prevent your cat from suffering an allergic reaction in the first place. You can’t eliminate contact between your cat and all the possible environmental allergens, but you can make sure your house are as dust-free as possible – especially your cat’s bed, toys and food bowls. Vacuum and clean your cat’s bedding at least once a week, using a mild, pet-friendly detergent, and keep your doors and windows closed while your cat is inside to minimise exposure. Also, remember that allergy-prone cat are more susceptible to flea or insect bites, so it is extra important to keep up-to-date with parasite prevention medications when you have a cat with allergies.