Does My Cat Have Allergies?
- preciousfur
- May 26
- 4 min read
Updated: May 27
Did you know that our furry family members can have allergies just like humans?
Since there are many types, cat allergies usually fall into three main groups: flea allergies, environmental allergies, and food allergies. The most common being flea and environmental allergies.
Allergy Causes:
Pollen, grass, plants
Mold and mildew
Food
Perfume and cologne
Fleas or flea-control products
Household cleaning products
Prescription drugs
Cat litters
Plastic
Symptoms:
Sneezing, coughing, wheezing
Itchy skin/increased scratching
Itchy, runny eyes
Itchy back or base of tail
Itchy ears and ear infections
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Snoring caused by inflamed throat
Paw chewing/swollen paws
Diagnosis:
If you believe your cat may have allergies, schedule a veterinary appointment to determine the most likely source. The vet will gather a complete history and perform a physical exam for your cat, and may perform blood tests or experiment with your cat’s diet. If your vet thinks your cat has a skin allergy, you may be referred to a veterinary dermatologist. After viewing your cat’s skin, your veterinarian is likely to take a sample of their skin cells through skin scraping. If the vet believes your cat is experiencing an environmental allergy, they may recommend a patch test, where a small dose of the allergen is injected to confirm what is causing the symptoms. To diagnose a food allergy, your cat must be given either a novel ingredient diet or hydrolyzed food for six to eight weeks. If symptoms disappear during that time, your pet has a food allergy and the next steps can be taken to determine which ingredient is afflicting your companion.
Common Allergies and Treatments/Solutions:
The most effective way to treat your cat’s allergies is to seek veterinary guidance and remove the allergen(s) from your cat’s environment.
Fleas:
Many cats with flea allergies pull or lick the hair off their legs. Signs of an allergy can be itching and hair loss around the tail base, neck, and head. In addition, an affected cat may have small scabs around the head and neck. If fleas are causing your pet’s allergies, try using a veterinarian-recommended flea and tick preventative to eliminate the cause. The veterinarian may prescribe an antibiotic or antifungal medicine if there is an existing infection.
Environmental Factors:
If your cat is allergic to their cat litter, substituting your typical litter for a dust-free alternative could help. Symptoms of environmental allergies include, but are not limited to sneezing, coughing or wheezing, and itchy skin.
When it comes to fungus, mold, or dust, relieve itching by bathing your cat a couple of times a week. Your veterinarian can recommend a specific shampoo to prevent dry skin. For pollen specifically, keeping cats indoors with windows shut and using an air conditioner during months with heavy pollen can reduce your pet’s exposure. Regular bathing helps to remove pollen that may be trapped in the fur. Veterinarians can also prescribe supplements, antihistamines, and immunosuppressive drugs. For mold allergies, clean your home frequently and thoroughly, use air filters, and regularly bathe your cat or wipe their coat with a damp cloth.
Indoor and outdoor allergies can be challenging to distinguish; however, with indoor allergies, your feline’s licking, biting, and scratching is typically year-round instead of seasonal.
Food:
Signs of a food allergy include itchy skin, skin or ear infections, and gastrointestinal problems. Food allergies can develop at any age, even if your cat has eaten the same food for their entire life. A diagnosis of food allergies may require a prescription diet, home-cooked meals, or dietary supplements to consume all necessary nutrients. For treatment, you can continue to feed your cat the food used during the trial diet, or slowly reintroduce standard ingredients to discover which ingredient might be causing their allergic reaction.
Plastic:
With plastic allergies, your cat may have rashes or raised, itchy patches, most common near their face and groin. If your cat is allergic or sensitive to plastic, ensure the use of ceramic or glass bowls. Also, ensure that you clean the receptacles regularly to prevent slime from forming on the bottom of the bowls.
Perfume and Shampoos:
Allergic skin reactions to perfumed shampoos, sprays, and lotions can create red skin, itching, or biting at the affected area. Try switching to unscented products, and you may see your cat’s symptoms clear up.
Drugs:
Drug allergies are relatively rare in cats, but can become serious if left untreated. Symptoms can include itching, hives, fever, vomiting, hair loss, and in the most severe cases, anaphylaxis, which may cause difficulty breathing, collapsing, seizures, and death. If you see your cat exhibiting these symptoms after being given medication, immediately call your veterinarian.
Cats can experience a range of allergies, and it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of their symptoms on your own. While the most effective treatment is eliminating the source of the problem, oftentimes we’re not sure what that source is or how to find out. Consulting with your veterinarian and learning what’s affecting your pet can help ensure your cat remains healthy and happy.
Bibliography:
“Allergies: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, Diagnosis.” WebMD, WebMD, 21 Jan. 2025, https://pets.webmd.com/cats/cat-allergy-symptoms-triggers#1.
DeJoia, Dr. Crista. “Perfumes and Pets – The Nose Knows.” Heart of the Valley, http://heartofthevalleyshelter.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/PerfumesandPets.pdf.
Remitz, Jessica. “7 Common Cat Allergies.” PetMD, 20 Feb. 2017, www.petmd.com/cat/slideshows/7-common-cat-allergies?view_all=1.
WagWalking. “Plastic Allergy in Cats.” WagWalking, Wag!, 2017. https://wagwalking.com/cat/condition/plastic-allergy.
“What Is Bothering Your Cat? It Could Be Feline Allergies.” Pet Health Network, www.pethealthnetwork.com/cat-health/cat-diseases-conditions-a-z/what-bothering-your-cat-it-could-be-feline-allergies.
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