🔍 What Are Cat Allergies?

An allergy is an overactive immune response to typically harmless substances (allergens). Common feline allergies include food, environmental triggers, flea bites, direct contact irritants, drug reactions, and respiratory (asthma-like) reactions :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

🐾 Types of Allergies in Cats

• Food allergies: Immune reaction to dietary proteins (beef, chicken, fish) causing skin or GI signs :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• Environmental (atopic) dermatitis: Seasonal or year-round reaction to inhaled allergens like pollen, mold, mites, dander :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• Flea allergy dermatitis: Hypersensitivity to flea saliva—extremely itchy, scabs and hair loss :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• Allergic contact dermatitis: Skin reaction from direct contact, e.g., plastic food bowls, fabric, cleaning products :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• Cutaneous drug eruptions: Skin rashes or hives resulting from medications :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Feline asthma/allergic bronchitis: Respiratory allergy causing cough, wheezing, difficulty breathing :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

⚠️ Signs & Symptoms

Allergic reactions may affect skin, breathing, or gastrointestinal systems:

• Intense scratching or overgrooming; sores, crusts, hair loss :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• Skin lesions: lumps, scabs, eosinophilic plaques :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• Respiratory: coughing, wheezing, sneezing, nasal discharge; open-mouth breathing is an emergency :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• GI: vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss due to food allergies :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Other signs: facial swelling, hives, behavioral changes :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.

🔬 How Are Allergies Diagnosed?

1. Medical history & exam: seasonal pattern, open-mouth breathing, etc. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
2. Rule out other causes: parasites, infections, endocrine disease.
3. Trial elimination diet: novel or hydrolyzed protein for 8–12 weeks to confirm food allergy :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
4. Allergy testing: Intradermal or serum tests for environmental allergens; diagnosis of exclusion :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
5. Flea tests: Presence of fleas or flea dirt confirms FAD.
6. Trial treatments: Corticosteroids or antihistamines response may support diagnosis :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.

💊 Treatment Options

• Flea control: Year-round, using safe products like Revolution Plus :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
• Dietary change: Elimination with novel or hydrolyzed protein diets; homemade option under vet supervision :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.
• Medications:
  • Corticosteroids (prednisolone): rapid control for skin/respiratory signs :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.
  • Antihistamines (chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, loratadine): variable effectiveness :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.
  • Immunosuppressants (cyclosporine, oclacitinib): used in chronic, refractory cases :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}.
  • Essential fatty acids: Support skin barrier, best for maintenance :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}.
• Allergen-specific immunotherapy: Custom injections/drops for environmental allergies; improves long-term comfort :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}.
• Asthma inhalers: Bronchodilators/corticosteroid inhalers support allergic bronchitis.
• Supportive care: Medicated baths, hypoallergenic kitty litter, air purifiers, probiotics like Nutramax Proviable-DC :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}.

📅 Long-Term Management & Prognosis

Cat allergies are lifelong but manageable:

• Frequent re-evaluation every 3–6 months: diet trials, medication doses, respiratory checks.
• Successful management through targeted therapy and environment control.
• Respiratory signs require careful monitoring and may need inhaled therapy.
• Long-term immunotherapy can significantly improve life quality :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}.
• Home monitoring: respiratory rate, skin lesions, GI signs, seasonal flares.

🛡️ Prevention & Support Tips

• Keep cats indoors to limit pollen and parasites.
• Switch to non-plastic feeders & litter; wash daily :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}.
• Use HEPA filters, vacuum routinely, minimize aerosol products :contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29}.
• Maintain a hypoallergenic diet and supplement skin-supportive nutrients.
• Monitor and log symptoms; share records with your vet for personalized adjustments.
• Use the Ask A Vet app for between-call advice; reduce stress with comforting Woopf & Purrz products.

🐾 Quick Reference Summary