Symptoms of a Cat with Allergies in Alameda, CA

Some cat lovers may be surprised to find out that allergies are actually a fairly common issue in cats. In fact, many cat owners have experience with caring for a cat that has allergies. Luckily, allergies in cats are usually fairly easy to treat and maintain, especially when receiving treatment for a cat’s allergies from a vet.

Some of the most common symptoms of allergies in cats include red and itchy skin along with coughing and sneezing. However, some other kinds of symptoms can accompany these in severe allergies such as swelling and discharge coming from the nose or eyes. Additionally, cats with food allergies commonly experience vomiting and diarrhea.

In this article we will be explaining everything that cat owners need to know about allergies in cats in Alameda, CA. This will include explaining what the symptoms of allergies in cats are, when you should see a vet about your cat’s allergies, and how allergies in cats are treated. Let’s jump right into it.

Are There Different Types of Allergies in Cats?

There are a few different types of allergies in cats, and they include environmental allergies, food allergies, and flea allergies. Most of the time cats with environmental allergies experience symptoms when they breathe in an allergen that can be inhaled such as pollen or dust.

Environmental allergies can also sometimes be triggered in cats when they come into direct contact with an allergen such as laundry detergent.

On the other hand, food allergies get triggered when a cat eats something that they are allergic to. As a result, most cats with food allergies are on special diets that eliminate any allergens that the cat has.

Another common cause of allergies in cats is fleas. Some cats may develop an allergic reaction if a flea bites them. This is due to them having an unusually high sensitivity to chemicals in the flea’s saliva. Flea allergies can be controlled by keeping your cat on year-round flea preventatives.

Signs of Allergies in Cats

There are many signs of allergies in cats. However, your cat is not likely to exhibit every single symptom on our list, and some symptoms may only occur for one type of allergy in cats. For example, vomiting and diarrhea are only a sign that a cat has a food allergy, and sneezing is usually only seen in cats with environmental allergies. Here are all of the common signs of allergies in cats.

Sneezing, Coughing, and Wheezing

Sneezing, coughing, and wheezing are fairly common signs that your cat has an environmental allergy. These symptoms are usually caused by an allergen being breathed in. As a result, these are very common allergy symptoms for cats that are allergic to things like pollen.

Symptoms of a Cat with Allergies in Alameda, CA

Itchy Skin

Itchy skin is another very common symptom of allergies in cats, and it can be the result of both environmental allergies and food allergies. This itchy skin will often appear pink or red in color, and in some cases a rash may be present. Cats will usually scratch at these areas, and they may also excessively groom themselves in itchy areas as well.

Some hot spots for itchy skin in cats with allergies are behind the ears, around the eyes and nose, on the belly, and on the paws. In addition to this, some cats may be very itchy around their groin and their bottom when they have allergies.

Hair Loss Resulting from Excessive Itching and Grooming

When excessive itching and grooming goes untreated in cats with itchy skin, they may experience hair loss when it is left untreated. In addition to this, some cats may also develop skin infections as a result of excessive itching and grooming. Both of these things are a sign that a cat needs veterinary attention for treating their allergies. Cats will need veterinary care for skin infections as well.

Breathing Difficulties

In some very severe cases a cat’s sneezing, coughing, and wheezing can turn into a cat having breathing difficulties. If this is the case for your cat then you should take them to the emergency vet immediately. This is because this symptom can become life threatening in severe cases, and it could also potentially be a sign that your cat may have asthma that is triggered by allergies. Unfortunately, asthma is one of those medical conditions that really requires veterinary care.

Red and Irritated Looking Skin

Red and irritated looking skin is a symptom of allergies even if they do not seem to be scratching at it much. Whether or not the red and irritated looking skin is itchy, it can still be a symptom of both environmental allergies and food allergies in cats.

cat with allergies in alameda, CA

Swelling

Swelling can also occur as a result of an allergic reaction in cats. This swelling could be the result of excessive scratching, but it is also sometimes a sign that the allergies are triggering a severe autoimmune response that is causing swelling. Usually, this swelling occurs around a cat’s face or on their paws. However, swelling can potentially cause swelling in other areas as well.

Discharge Coming From The Eyes and Nose

You may also notice discharge coming from the nose or eyes in a cat with allergies. This is essentially a cat having a runny nose and watery eyes.

Vomiting and Diarrhea

Vomiting and diarrhea are symptoms that are fairly common in cats with a food allergy. This is because the cat’s GI tract experiences inflammation and stomach upset when the allergen is ingested. In addition to vomiting and diarrhea, some cats with food allergies may experience foul smelling gas as well.

When To See a Vet

In some cases a cat’s allergies can be managed easily by preventing your cat from coming into contact with that allergen. However, for many cats, treatment is not that easy. Luckily, there are many different allergy medications out there that can help to reduce a cat’s allergies and get them back to normal. As a result, you should take your cat to the vet for treating their allergies any time that their allergies are not easily managed.

How Are Allergies Treated in Cats?

There are multiple treatment options available for cats with allergies. Most of the time cats are given allergy medications. These medications are given to cats to reduce their allergy symptoms. There are also allergy shots available to cats as well. These allergy shots work in a very similar way to allergy medication, but it has the added benefit of being given to your cat much less often. In addition to this, most owners of cats with allergies will try to eliminate allergens around their cat as much as they can when this is possible.

For more information or questions about your cat’s health, please call Providence Veterinary Hospital East at (510) 521-6608 or West at (510) 521-5775.

Recent Posts

dog laying on couch

What You Need to Know about a Lipoma in Dogs

What You Need to Know about a Lipoma in Dogs When our pets are not feeling their…

Read More
cat staring

Why is My Cat Staring at Me?

Why is My Cat Staring at Me? Have you ever found your cat staring at you and…

Read More

Pale Gums in Dogs: Is This Normal?

Pale Gums in Dogs: Is This Normal? When you notice something unusual about your dog, like pale…

Read More
signs your pet may need dental care in alameda, ca

8 Signs Your Pet May Need Dental Care

8 Signs Your Pet May Need Dental Care Taking care of your pet is a big responsibility,…

Read More
pets teeth yellow in alameda, ca

Why Are My Pet’s Teeth Yellow?

Why Are My Pet’s Teeth Yellow? If you notice your pet’s teeth look a little yellow, this…

Read More

Providence Veterinary Hospital & Clinic serve Alameda, CA as well as Oakland, San Leandro, and the surrounding areas with superb veterinary medicine and gentle, compassionate care. We’ve been a part of this community since 1947 when a veterinarian started seeing pets in his home after the end of World War II. He built an animal hospital right under his house, and that’s where we remain to this day (with modern remodeling in 2016, to outfit the hospital with the latest medical technology and equipment, of course!).

About Providence Veterinary Hospital & Clinic