Can Cats Have Allergies? Symptoms, Types, & Treatment Options

Like humans, cats can experience allergic reactions to all kinds of different stimulants called allergens. If you notice your cat seems to be feeling under the weather and constantly scratching or sneezing, it could be a sign they’re experiencing allergies.¹

Fortunately, there are treatment options for feline allergies. Let’s take a closer look at some common causes of allergies in cats, how they can be treated, and how cat insurance could help you cover related costs.

Symptoms of Allergies in Cats

Recognizing signs of allergies in cats isn’t that different from identifying allergies in humans. Any of the following symptoms could indicate that your cat is dealing with an allergic reaction:^1,2

• Frequent coughing and sneezing
• Itchy skin
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Discharge from the nose and/or eyes
• Hair loss
• Swelling on the skin or around the face
• Sores, bumps, or redness on the skin

It’s important to keep in mind that any of these symptoms could have a number of different causes, including allergies. That’s why you should bring your cat to the vet for a thorough exam and an accurate diagnosis.

What Are Cats Allergic To?

The first step to alleviating your cat’s allergies is figuring out what your cat’s hypersensitivities are. A visit to the vet is the easiest way to narrow down your cat’s allergens.

Generally, common cat allergies fall into one of six categories:^1,2,3

• Food allergies
• Environmental allergies
• Flea allergies
• Feline asthma (triggered by allergens)
• Cutaneous drug eruptions
• Allergic contact dermatitis

Let’s take a closer look at each of these common cat allergies.

Food allergies in cats

Cat food allergies are immune system reactions to certain foods or ingredients. The most common symptom of food allergies is itchy skin, usually around the head and neck.^1,4 Hair loss and swelling are also very common.¹ Between 10% – 15% of cats with food allergies will also have gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea and vomiting.⁴

While your cat could develop a food allergy at any age, many will start showing symptoms before age 2. Fish, beef, chicken, and milk products are the most common food allergens for cats.¹

Environmental allergies in cats

Environmental allergies are also known as atopic dermatitis or atopy.¹ This type of allergy may have many different environmental triggers, including pollens, mold, dust mites, and plants. Atopy may also be referred to as seasonal allergies since many of these triggers are only present during specific times of the year.²

The main characteristics of feline atopy are severe itching, redness, and swelling.¹

Flea allergies in cats

Flea allergies are the most common type of feline allergy.² Most cats experience only mild irritation when bitten by fleas, but felines who are allergic to flea saliva sometimes have much more severe reactions. These often include extreme itchiness, small bumps, crusty skin, and even hair loss.⁵

Feline asthma

Feline asthma is an allergic reaction to an airborne trigger, such as pollen, cigarette smoke, household chemicals, or cat litter dust. Cats suffering from feline asthma will have trouble breathing and display other signs of respiratory distress, including wheezing, coughing, and labored breathing.⁶

Cutaneous drug eruptions in cats

This cat allergy is caused by an adverse reaction to medication. Signs of cutaneous drug eruptions usually include:³

• Redness, including small red patches and bumps or large areas of scaly redness
• Skin rash, such as patches of dark skin with a bull’s-eye appearance
• Swelling
• Hives
• Itchiness

In more extreme cases, cutaneous drug eruptions can cause blistering of the skin.³ If you notice these symptoms, particularly after starting your cat on a new medicine, bring them to the vet for a professional opinion before taking them off the drug.

Allergic contact dermatitis

Also known as contact allergies, these can flare up when your cat makes direct contact with certain materials, resulting in a localized allergic reaction. Common triggers include pollen, yeast, mites, cleaning products, and laundry detergents. Certain materials or fibers can also lead to contact allergies, like wool, nylon, rubber, or plastic.⁷

The reaction will typically be localized to the part of your cat’s skin that made contact with the trigger and may present as itchiness, redness, swelling of the skin, and bumps. A cat might also excessively lick the irritated spot on their skin.⁷

Diagnosing Cat Allergies

Testing for allergies in cats can look different depending on the type of hypersensitivity your vet suspects is the culprit. They may use different allergy tests, such as blood, skin (including intradermal testing), or X-rays (for conditions like allergic bronchitis) to help determine what your cat is allergic to.^1,6

To identify the cause of cat food allergies, you’ll have to put your kitty on an elimination diet and slowly reintroduce food elements until you can identify the offending allergen. This process can take several weeks or even months.¹

Your vet might also recommend your cat try a prescription hydrolyzed protein diet. These foods contain cat-safe animal proteins that have been refined down to their smallest molecular weight to avoid triggering an allergic response.¹

Cat Allergies: Treatment Options

Once the allergen is identified, removing it from your cat’s environment often relieves the symptoms and allows your feline friend to go back to normal.¹ However, not all allergens can be easily removed.

If that’s the case for your cat’s allergies, there are still ways to help them feel better. Bathing your cat regularly with vet-approved hypoallergenic shampoo can help alleviate some of the discomfort caused by certain allergens.⁷ Routinely cleaning your home and cat’s space can minimize your cat’s exposure to allergens.² Other forms of treatment may include:^1,5,6

• Immunotherapy (allergy shots)
• Anti-itch medications
• Corticosteroids
• Antibiotics
• Anti-inflammatories

Ultimately, your vet will be able to determine the best treatment options for your kitty.

MetLife Pet Insurance Can Help You Cover Cat Allergy Costs

None of us want to watch our feline friends suffer from allergies, and we certainly don’t want our wallets to suffer as we treat them. A MetLife Pet Insurance policy could help you cover the cost of allergy testing and treatment so you can focus on getting back to the belly rubs and purrs.

For example, a Washington, DC, family noticed their Blue Russian cat, Boone, was scratching himself a lot. Boone’s parents took him to the vet, where he was diagnosed with and treated for atopic dermatitis. Vet exam costs totaled about $525, and MetLife Pet covered over $475.⁸

Find out how a cat insurance policy from MetLife Pet Insurance could help cushion the cost of your cat’s medical expenses. Get your free quote today.