Cat Allergy Symptoms

Cat allergy symptoms include an itchy nose, sneezing, difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, red, watery, itchy eyes, itchy skin and nasal congestion.



Cat allergies can be especially trying to a cat lover. Hives can also occur. However these symptoms are common to many other allergies so it is best to get yourself tested and see if the cat is responsible or some other allergen is.

Allergies in cats can be caused by food allergies, fleas, ticks, medication and skin contact.



A contact allergy will manifest itself with pigment changes in the skin, dermatitis, and skin eruptions around the abdomen, chin, and ears and under the tail. Food allergies cause cat vomiting, intense scratching, bad breath, hot spots, a coated tongue, intense scratching and swelling in the mouth. Flea and tick allergies show up at places where your cat was bitten. Severe itching accompanies the sore red areas.



Penicillin, neomycin and tetracycline have been found to cause medical allergies in cats. Cats may also be allergic to mold, pollen, carpets, household chemicals (detergent), woolen or nylon fabrics, milk products, dust mites, house mites, rubber and plastic materials, grass, trees and other substances. Cats may not sneeze or have runny eyes. The only symptoms in this case are facial lesions, itchiness, hair loss and scabs that have formed due to constant scratching. Allergies in pets usually develop between 1-3 years. Some have been known to start later at six or eight years. Remember that genetic influences and seasons play a major role in allergies. Diagnosis can be made by either allergy testing or by removing suspected things from the cat’s area till the cause is found. Allergy testing can be done by blood testing or intradermal testing. Cats who have allergies are generally treated with antihistamines, steroids and topical anti allergy creams.

There are many things one can do to lesson the cat allergies symptoms. These include:

• Vacuuming: This will help you to get rid of hair particles and dander.
• Improve ventilation: There is a lesser chance of dander and dust settling in a house if the ventilation is good.
• Bathe your cat regularly, and wipe it with a wet cloth daily.
• Keep the cat out of the bedroom. Ensure that the air vents to the bedroom are closed and the door is too.
• Get rid of dust mites.

If the above cat allergy treatments do not help you get rid of the allergy, you might have to consider giving your cat away.