| When we suffer an allergic reaction it can affect | | | | an allergic reaction are rare and although there is no |
| either our breathing or our skin but when a cat | | | | way of knowing this before hand it should not |
| suffers an allergic reaction it is much more likely just | | | | prevent owners from protecting there cats from far |
| to affect their skin. With around 15% of cats | | | | more harmful illnesses. Most allergic reaction if caught |
| suffering from some sort of an allergic reaction you | | | | early enough should be able to be successfully |
| would think that cat owners would be very aware of | | | | treated by a vet. |
| the problem, however this is not the case and when | | | | One of the most common things that can cause a |
| a cat scratches excessively the first thing most | | | | cat allergy are insects and parasites. A sting or a bite |
| people think or is a flea infestation. | | | | from a garden insect although generally completely |
| Symptoms of an allergic reaction can vary from cat | | | | harmless and only mildly irritating for most cats can |
| to cat and from the type of allergen involved. | | | | cause a slightly more severe reaction in some cases, |
| However common symptoms are, severe scratching | | | | but is generally not long lasting. Fleas are generally the |
| and itchy rippling of the fur, sneezing, face rubbing, | | | | most common parasite that can cause a nasty itchy |
| excessive grooming causing bald spots to appear, | | | | in some cats from their bite. It may not necessarily |
| eye and nose discharges or breathing difficulties | | | | mean that the cat is infested with fleas, as only one |
| although this last one is rare. In some cases small | | | | bite can cause the reaction. Although the symptoms |
| hives can appear on the skin which look like little | | | | are short lived, it may be severe enough to require |
| raised circles, these hives will be very itchy for your | | | | an antihistamine injection from a vet, usually where |
| cat but will normally disappear within 24 hours. | | | | the cats scratching is breaking the skin and causing |
| With 15 % of cats suffering from some sort of | | | | bald spots. Making sure that the cat is regularly |
| allergic reaction it is important to know what the | | | | treated for fleas should prevent the allergy in the |
| possible causes of these allergies could be, to be able | | | | long term. |
| to eliminate them from the cat's environment if | | | | As in humans, cats can also be allergic to airborne |
| possible. There are four main possible things that | | | | allergens such as pollen, grass seen, mould and |
| could cause an allergic reaction in your cat and by | | | | household chemicals such as air fresheners or |
| experimenting with use and then removing it from | | | | cleaners. Obviously the owner cannot do much to |
| the cat's environment, it should be possible to | | | | eliminate the natural airborne irritants from the |
| discover the actual cause. | | | | environment but ensuring that the cat is not present |
| The first thing to consider is the type of food you | | | | when household chemicals are being used could |
| are feeding your pet. Although most of the main | | | | prevent any adverse reactions. |
| commercial cats foods claim now to contain only the | | | | In most cases the symptoms of an allergic reaction |
| best ingredients there main be certain additives in the | | | | should clear up fairly quickly once the allergen is |
| food that may affect your cat or it may simply be | | | | removed from the environment. It is the responsibility |
| that the cat is allergic to a certain food type such as | | | | of the owner to try and discover the possible cause |
| tuna. Try a different brand of food at first, if there is | | | | of the allergy to prevent the cat from suffering |
| no difference then change alter the type of food i.e. | | | | unnecessarily. In severe cases or where the allergic |
| chicken instead of fish. | | | | reaction is occurring often without the cause being |
| Some medications including some vaccines can cause | | | | discovered, a vet should be consulted to provide |
| and allergic reaction in some cats. However cases of | | | | regular medication to relieve the symptoms. |