Have you noticed your cat sneezing a bit? Or maybe their eyes are a bit watery or they’ve even developed a slight cough? With springtime upon us, it could be that your cat has some spring allergies. Here at Anasazi Animal Clinic, we treat cat seasonal allergies throughout the warmer months and all year round. Let’s take a closer look at seasonal allergies in cats and what you can do to help provide relief for your feline friend.
Can cats have seasonal allergies?
Just like humans, cats can also be allergic to pollen from trees and flowers, as well as grasses and dust. Both indoor and outdoor cats can suffer from spring allergies, but outdoor cats have a higher likelihood of allergies because they spend more time outside and encounter more allergens.
Symptoms of cat spring allergies are very similar to those in humans, and can include:
- Sneezing and/or runny nose
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Red and/or watery eyes
- Itchy or irritated skin
- Excessive scratching
- Hair loss or bald patches
- Redness on the belly, paws, or inside the ears
How do you treat seasonal allergies in cats?
Symptoms caused by cat seasonal allergies can be very uncomfortable. If your cat’s skin becomes very irritated and itchy, they may overgroom and scratch too much. This can cause them to tear out their hair and even break their skin, which makes them vulnerable to infections.
If your veterinarian diagnoses your cat with spring allergies, they can prescribe allergy medications to help lessen the symptoms. Human allergy medications are not for pets and should not be administered to your cat or dog. They can also offer treatment for wounds from skin irritations. There are also several things you can do at home to provide relief to a cat experiencing spring allergies.
How to Relieve Cat Spring Allergies at Home
1: Keep Allergens out of Your Home
If your indoor cat is experiencing spring allergies, a great way to help them is by removing allergens from your home. Whenever you come inside, remove your shoes and jacket as soon as you come in the door, because they can pick up pollen when you’re outside. Vacuum frequently to remove allergens that may get stuck in carpeting. And if you have not changed your air conditioning filter recently, give that a shot as well.
2: Clean Pet Beds, Cat Trees, and Toys
Allergens love to stick to fabrics. Make sure to wash your cat’s favorite pet bed or blanket frequently, as well as any fabric toys they may have. And use your vacuum hose attachment to remove any trapped allergens from scratching posts and cat trees.
3: Try a Bath
A soothing bath can help remove allergens like pollen from a cat’s skin and fur. It can also help moisturize their skin, calming itchiness and tenderness. If you don’t believe your cat will hold still for a bath using water, try a bath wipe made especially for cleaning cats.
4: Switch to Dust-Free Litter
Most cat litters kick up a lot of dust when you pour fresh litter into the litter box or when your cat is scratching around. Cats who are susceptible to seasonal allergies may also have a hard time tolerating dust. If possible, we recommend switching to a dust-free or low-dust litter to help relieve irritation.
Treating Cat Spring Allergies in Chandler, Arizona
Cat seasonal allergies are a very common reason people bring their felines to Anasazi Animal Clinic during the spring. While allergy symptoms can be unpleasant, the good news is that relief is possible. Not only can veterinarians provide help through medications, they can also offer tips on how to make your home more comfortable for your kitty during the spring months.
If your favorite feline is showing symptoms of cat spring allergies, call us today at 480-497-0505 to bring them in for a thorough examination.
Photo by Ludemeula Fernandes on Unsplash