Cat skin allergies

What are skin allergies in cats?

Cat skin allergies happen when your cat’s immune system negatively reacts to something that is normally a harmless substance. This could be something your cat breathes in, ingests, or just touches, and is known as an allergen. Contact with allergens can lead to itchy, irritated skin and inflammation. 

There are a variety of different skin allergy types, with some of the most common being: 

• Flea allergy dermatitis 

• Environmental atopic dermatitis  

• Food allergies 

• Contact allergies 

Correctly identifying the type of allergy is critical when it comes to recommending the right treatment. 

What causes skin allergies in cats?

As you’ll know, every cat is different, and this is the case when it comes to allergies too, with cats reacting differently to different triggers.  

Flea allergy dermatitis is caused by an overreaction to flea saliva. This means that susceptible cats can experience inflammation and itching from just a single bite. Cats are often particularly affected around the base of the tail. 

Environmental allergens can be either natural, like pollen, dust mites, or mould spores, or synthetic, like household cleaning products. Cats exposed to them can suffer from inflamed and chronically itchy skin, often near the paws, ears, or face. Because of the nature of the allergens, these reactions can often be seasonal.  

Cats can develop food allergies, typically to proteins like chicken, beef, or dairy. While food allergies are less common that flea or environmental allergies, they still affect a significant number of cats and can cause real discomfort, including itchy skin or lesions, as well as digestive problems like diarrhoea and vomiting. 

Finally, cats can suffer from contact allergies when they touch different materials, like certain plastics, grooming products, or bedding materials. While contact allergies are the least common, it’s still important to consider them when trying to understand your cat’s skin problems.

Signs of cat skin allergies

Cats wash and groom themselves on a regular basis, so the signs of skin irritation can often be missed. However, some key signs to look out for include overgrooming, excessive scratching, or abnormal levels of irritability.

Physical symptoms can include red, irritated skin, ongoing ear infections, bald patches, open sores, thickened areas of skin, excessive licking, or biting. 

How to soothe cat skin allergy symptoms

If you identify any of the above symptoms, it’s important to contact your vet, so they can help to identify the underlying cause and recommend treatment. Some short-term solutions for dealing with cat skin allergies are: 

1. Flea treatment: Vets may suggest flea treatment if they suspect fleas as the cause of skin allergy symptoms. This requires constant flea prevention throughout the year. You should also thoroughly clean your home. 

2. Anti-itch shampoos and sprays: There are specific shampoos and sprays designed to soothe inflammation and reduce skin itching. Try to avoid anything containing essential oils not suitable for cats. 

3. Hypoallergenic diets: Elimination diets with hypoallergenic cat food can help to identify suspected food allergies. These diets will systematically exclude common food allergens.

4. Omega-3 supplements: Omega-3 and fish oil supplements can be beneficial to feline skin health, helping to reduce inflammation. Always ensure supplements are suitable for pets and speak to your vet for advice before introducing any supplements into your cat’s diet. 

Vet-recommended cat skin allergy treatments

A combination of treatments is often needed to manage cat skin health, depending on the symptoms and how severe they are. Vets may advise one or more of the following: 

1. Prescription medicine

   • Antihistamines: These may help manage mild environmental skin allergy symptoms. 

   • Corticosteroids: For severe itching and inflammation management. 

   • Immunotherapy: This comes in the form of oral drops or allergy shots.

2. Topical treatments: These treatments, which come in medicated sprays, creams, or wipes, can relieve itchy skin and help heal damaged skin.  

3. Antifungals or antibiotics: Antibiotic or antifungal medicine may be prescribed to deal with infection due to excessive licking or scratching.

4. Regular check-ups: Regular trips to the vet may be required to deal with chronic allergy symptoms. This helps vets monitor and adjust treatment as required. 

Cat skin allergy prevention

Some allergies can’t be permanently cured, but they can be managed by reducing the severity and frequency of symptoms. Following these steps to help prevent cat skin allergy reactions.  

• Implement ongoing flea prevention: Try to prevent or limit opportunities for flea bites that trigger reactions from your cat.  

• Use gentle, unscented household cleaning products: Cleaning products can contain environmental allergens, so avoid scented, harsh products. 

• Keep soft furnishings and bedding clean: Clean furnishings and wash bedding regularly, again using fragrance-free, gentle detergent. 

• Design a high-quality, balanced diet: Ensure your cat is eating healthily to minimise gastrointestinal issues. 

• Monitor seasonally: Noting when skin allergy reactions occur throughout the year can help with identifying triggers and treating symptoms. 

When to contact your vet: If your cat is scratching persistently or their skin condition or behaviour change drastically, speak to your vet for professional, qualified advice. Identifying symptoms early and implementing treatments will help to improve your cat’s condition and quality of life.  

When you contact your vet, they can help you identify the problem and provide suitable recommendations for treatment. They can also help you to manage long-term allergies. 

Conclusion

Cat skin allergies can be a concern for both you and your feline friend, but the good news is that they can be manageable to ensure a good quality of life for your cat. This guide will help you identify signs and symptoms and know when to contact your vet, who will be able to advice on the best treatments and prevention methods.

Here at Pharmacy2U Pet Health, we’ve got what you need to keep your cat happy and healthy. From selected skincare products and flea control to delicious, allergy-friendly pet food, our store is packed full of useful products, while our prescription medicines are veterinary-approved and delivered quickly and easily.