If you think your cat is sneezing too much, or not eating their food, you may be correct. Many cats develop allergies at some point in their life. Allergies can make your cat feel stressed and uncomfortable and lead to a number of unpleasant symptoms.
There are four common types of allergies in the cat:
- Fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks
- food allergy
- house dust, pollen, and molds that they inhale and get in contact with.
There are some common physical signs and expressions that cat allergies have, and each one has some features that are unique.
They can also impact your cat’s health, reducing their lifespan if not properly treated. Luckily, there are many ways to identify whether your cat has allergies and what you can do to alleviate the condition.
Here are the top 9 most common signs to watch out if your cat may have an allergy:
Constant sneezing
When humans are allergic to certain smells, we sneeze a lot, cat are the same in that sense. They may sneeze more frequently if there are new smells or things around them. This is likely to be more noticeable in the spring and fall when pollen counts are higher. If your cat has allergies, they may sneeze more often than usual and may also have an irritated and runny nose.
Loss of appetite
Many cats with allergies will lose their appetite, which is often the first sign of an allergy. You may notice that your cat is no longer as interested in their favorite treats and food. If your cat is not eating, it can lead to a wide range of health issues and is therefore very serious.
Itchy skin and constant scratching
Cats with allergies may also scratch more than usual. This is likely due to an itchy sensation that is hard to ignore. The constant scratching can then lead to skin infections and hair loss. If your cat is scratching excessively, it is a good idea to visit the vet to rule out any other diseases. It is possible that your cat has an infection or even fleas.
Red and swollen eyes
Cats may also have red and swollen eyes when they have allergies. This is another common symptom that may be caused by allergies. It is best to rule out other serious conditions before assuming your cat has allergies. Red and swollen eyes may be due to an infection or injury, so it is important to see a vet if you notice this in your cat.
Bad breath and discolored teeth
Your cat may also suffer from bad breath if they have allergies. Bad breath is often caused by bacteria buildup in the mouth, which can be treated with dental care cat food, or a more effective method is thorough tooth cleaning. Dry gauze or a washcloth can be used to remove some plaque from your cat's teeth for a deeper clean.
It is also possible that your cat is allergic to certain foods and this is why they have bad breath. You can switch to different cat food to check if it’s their food that’s causing their allergies.
Constipation and diarrhea
Cats are likely to experience digestive issues when suffering from allergies. This can lead to diarrhea or constipation, depending on the allergy. If your cat has allergies, it is important to reduce their stress as much as possible to reduce their symptoms.
Dark spots on the skin
It is possible for cats with flea allergies to develop dark spots on their skin. Small dark spots appear on the skin as a result of flea bite allergies.
Although most of the time, these spots are harmless and will fade once they are treated for their flea infestation but for other cats, it could be a different case.
Fleabites normally cause only minor skin irritation in cats, but cats with flea allergies experience severe reactions even to the smallest flea bites.
An allergic reaction to flea saliva is caused when the flea consumes a blood meal and injects some of its saliva into the cat's skin.
A flea bite can cause such intense itching that a cat may scratch or chew itself heavily, removing large amounts of hair. It can also result in the skin will have open sores or scabs, resulting in a secondary bacterial skin infection (pyoderma).
Typically, the cat will have numerous small scabs around the head and neck, as well as over the rump or tail base.
Strict flea control is the foundation of successful treatment and better yet, flea prevention should be the key to avoiding dark spots and other severe allergic reactions to fleabites
Allergies are very common in cats and can cause significant discomfort and even be life-threatening. These symptoms can be treated with prescription medication from your vet at a discounted price. The sooner you start treatment, the better, as this can reduce the length and intensity of the allergy symptoms.
Keeping your cats healthy is also a good way to prevent or lessen allergic reactions. In addition to deterring fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, GCP's soft chews promote good health for your cat and help them fight off any allergies they might have.