Cat Allergies

Itchy skin, runny eyes, a watery nose, allergies can make anyone’s life miserable—even the family pet’s.  Like us, cats can suffer from a variety of allergies. Here are answers to some common questions about how allergies can affect our four-legged friends.

What are the most common allergies affecting cats?

The two leading causes of allergic reactions are flea bites and pollen.  These are followed by food allergies.  There is no one food that is more likely to cause an allergic reaction than others.   Corn, wheat, beef, chicken, dairy products, you name it—if it’s eaten, there are some cats that are going to be allergic to it.

What causes an allergic reaction in an animal?

An allergic reaction is caused when the body’s cells release transmitters in response to some external substance that’s been introduced to the body’s environment.  These substances can be any one of a number of things, from pollen, foods, dust, microorganisms.  The body cells of non-allergic people and animals don’t release these transmitters, so they don’t experience the allergic reaction.

Do allergies in cats show themselves in the same way as allergies in people?

They can, but the allergic reactions of cats usually manifest themselves in the form of itchy skin, rather than runny eyes or watery noses.  Even when an animal is allergic to food, the symptoms will show up as a skin rash, as often—or more often—than they will as a gastrointestinal problem.

What is the treatment for cat allergies?

Eliminating the  cat’s exposure to the cause of the allergy is the best treatment.  Allergies usually can’t be cured, so we try to control the symptoms.  We can also build up the animal’s immunity to some allergies through injections of very small amounts of the antigen (allergy causing) body.

Is there anything that can help people who are allergic to cats?

Yes, a study out of  Washington University in St. Louis has shown that giving a cat a monthly bath with distilled water will dramatically reduce the levels of the antigen F el D1 in the cat’s dander, which causes the allergic reaction.  Bathing your cat with distilled water will probably help anyone who is allergic to feline dander, whether it’s a person, or another animal such as the family dog .