Everyone loves the colour and regrowth of springtime. There is so much beauty, but oh, so many sneezes! Allergies affect almost everyone, including your feline friend. This time of year we see many cats with sneezes and wheezes, watery eyes, itchy ears and some with skin eruptions, all due to allergies.
Most cats are allergic to more than one thing, however, it takes just one thing for them to cross the allergy threshold and start to show symptoms. Tree pollen is at a very high level during spring and it may just be the thing needed for an allergic cat to start displaying symptoms. Even indoor cats get exposed to pollen through open doors and windows, or through their owner who has been outdoors all day and brings those allergens indoors.
How do you know if your cat has seasonal allergies?
It’s difficult to miss the symptoms of spring allergies in cats. If your cat has a sensitivity to dust, pollen, mould, or other springtime allergens, she may display some or all of the following symptoms:
- weepy eyes
- sneezing – just like us
- secondary herpes flare-ups
- itchy ears with small red, itchy spots in that bald area just in front of their ears.
- extensive skin issues
- over-grooming, hair loss and self-trauma because of itchiness
How can you help your cat with spring allergies?
It is very unpleasant for your purry friend to experience the nagging, persistent symptoms of spring allergies. She may be so fed up with her allergies that she stops eating, becomes lethargic, or even develops a discharge from her eyes and/or nose. The best thing you can do for her is to make an appointment at her vet and enlist the professionals to not only sort out her symptoms, but to help you address your cat’s long-term wellbeing.
If there are skin issues that need to be addressed, the vet will likely include topical steroids, antihistamines, and omega-3 fatty acids (among others) in her treatment regimen. There are also practical methods you can use to make sure your cat has less exposure to springtime allergens:
- keep your cat indoors
- if you’ve been outside, remove your outer clothing, wash your hands thoroughly and brush your hair before engaging with your cat
- only open your windows in the early morning or after sunset (these are usually the times when the pollen count is the lowest)
- keep your home clean and tidy – this reduces your cat’s exposure to dust as well
Read more about pet allergies in general and how to identify, treat and manage your pet’s food, environmental, flea and skin allergies.
