Allergies are on the rise, not only in people, but in our companion animals too. And cats are no exception. Feline allergies impose a serious problem to responsible cat parents. To help you navigate through the minefield of feline allergies, we have compiled a list of the most common types of allergies in cats.
The most common signs of flea allergy in a cat, include scratching, biting and licking particularly around the base of the tail, flanks, belly, thighs and neck. More often than not, although you are sure about the diagnosis, you will not be able to find any fleas because affected cats clean themselves aggressively.The best way of preventing and treating flea allergies is long-term use of appropriate flea control medications. The ideal flea control medication should contain 3 active substances – an adulticide (to kill adult fleas) and an insect-growth regulator (to prevent the immature fleas from growing up and reproducing. When discussing about flea control medications, it should be noted that canine flea medications are not suitable and can be potentially toxic for cats.
In some cases minimizing your cat’s exposure to pollen, trees and weeds is enough. However, since most allergies are seasonal and recurrent, your best option is to consult with a licensed veterinarian, test the cat for potential allergens and either limit her exposure to allergens (by keeping the cat indoors and using air conditioners and air filters during problematic seasons) or ask for appropriate medications (antihistamines or corticosteroids). In more severe cases, the veterinarian may prescribe immune-suppressive drugs and hypo-sensitization therapy.
Treating indoor allergies starts with performing intradermal or blood tests to determine potential allergens. Once determined, you need to either minimize or eliminate the cat’s exposure to those allergens. Common ways of minimizing exposure include dealing with mold problems, cleaning the house frequently and thoroughly, using air filters and air conditioners and regularly wiping your cat with a damp cloth. Depending on the severity of the case, the veterinarian may prescribe anti-histamines, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs or hyposensitization therapy.
Treating food allergies requires performing a two-phased trial:
- Flea allergies

- Pollen, trees and weeds allergies

- Household allergens

- Food allergies

- Elimination
- Challenge
- Plastic food bowls allergies
- Perfume allergies
- Allergic reactions to insects
- Drug allergies