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When a cat's body gets sensitive to its environment, it develops allergies. So, if you notice that your cat is feeling unwell and is constantly sneezing or scratching itself, it could be due to cat allergy reactions. These allergens are unpleasant substances that may or may not irritate you, but when your cat's body tries to rid itself of them, it may exhibit a variety of symptoms.
While it’s normal for cats to show different symptoms depending on the allergy, those that affect their breathing are the most serious ones. So, if your cat suffers from breathing issues due to allergies, it can take a life-threatening turn. Sometimes, the itchiness can also cause skin irritation leading your cat to chew on its paws or tail relentlessly.
Fortunately, these cat allergies are treatable once the allergen affecting your cat is identified. Therefore, knowing how to detect if your cat has allergies and what’s causing these allergies can help you prevent problems in the future.
The first step toward treating your cat’s allergies is finding out what’s causing them. A visit to the veterinarian is the simplest way to identify your cat’s allergy stimulus.
Causes of cat allergies could be due to several reasons, all of which fall under one of the three categories. These categories are, namely – flea allergy, food allergy, and environmental allergy (atopic dermatitis).
One of the most common cat allergy signs is flea allergies. These allergies are generally caused by flea bites or flea treatment medicine. Excessive itching is the most predominant symptom of this type of allergy. It's likely that your cat is allergic to fleas if you find it scratching or frequently chewing on its fur, especially directly above the tail.
Food allergies in cats can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even itchy skin, especially around the neck and head. This type of allergic response might cause your cat to shed patches of fur in severe circumstances. In such extreme cases, your vet can help you detect which foods are causing irritation and develop an appropriate diet for your cat.
Environmental allergies may have different triggers, including plants, pollen, and mold. This type of allergy can also be induced by cleaning products, or the fragrance included in some types of cat litter. Another type of environmental allergy is feline atopy. It is commonly known as feline atopic dermatitis, a severe allergic reaction in cats that causes extreme itchiness in their skin. As a result of this condition, your cat may suffer from skin soreness, redness, scabbing, and even hair loss.
Depending on the kind of allergy your cat has, symptoms can range from unpleasant to life-threatening.
Diarrhea is frequently related to staining of the fur around the hind end in some breeds. In normal cats, you can observe some variation in the consistency of their stool. Dietary changes can also cause temporary changes in their stool. But, if you notice frequent semi-liquid or liquid stools for more than two days, you should consult your vet.
There are different causes to why a cat makes a wheezing sound. It could be due to a hairball stuck in its stomach or allergens like pollens, mold, or cigarette smoke. However, this wheezing sound can also be linked to discomfit or stress. Because each cat's triggers are unique, it's critical to be aware of the surroundings and activities in your cat's environment that could be causing stress-related wheezing.
Watery or glossy-looking eyes are other prominent cat allergy signs. While a cat's moist eyes maybe caused by allergens such as mildew dust or household cleaning products, it could also indicate something more serious, such as a bacterial illness or virus.
Itchiness or skin redness in cats is associated with a skin condition called cat dermatitis. When this happens, your cat’s skin becomes swollen, red, and irritated, often with small blisters, as a result of an external agent directly irritating the skin or causing an allergic reaction to it.
If your cat is suffering from moderate allergy symptoms with only limited itching, medicated shampoos or rinses can help.
Anti-itch and anti-inflammatory medicines such as corticosteroids are particularly effective in treating extreme itchiness in cats. When used correctly, they can be quite safe and effective in cats. Consult your vet to identify the best course of action.
Treating your cat with flea preventatives will prevent your cat from being bitten by fleas. Plus, to lessen the chances of your cat being bitten, you should treat your home during the warmer months when fleas are more frequent. In fact, even cats who aren't allergic to fleas should use a flea preventative to avoid tapeworm and other flea-related illnesses.
To figure out which food is causing your cat's allergies, you must first put it on an elimination diet. After that, gradually reintroduce food items until you find the problematic allergen. The top three allergenic protein sources are beef (18%), fish (17%), and chicken (5%). Avoiding these foods will enable your cat's allergic reaction to be less severe.
The most common allergy symptoms in cats are skin reactions, regardless of the cause, and they can appear at any age. Just because your cat didn’t have allergies as a kitten doesn’t mean she won’t have them as an adult. If your cat suffers from any of the following symptoms, take her to the vet for a consultation:
Allergies can vary from cat to cat, so it is important that you work with your vet to make sure your cat gets the best possible treatment. You’ll both be happier as a result.
Cats are sensitive to a wide range of allergies. Cats, like people, can be allergic to a variety of foods, drugs, plants, and other things. However, flea, environmental, and/or food allergies are the most common allergies in cats.
Keeping your home clean, using dust-free and unscented cat litter, using flea preventatives regularly, avoiding excessive fragrances, and not smoking in the house can help keep your cat from being allergic.
If your cat suffers from allergies, some of the most frequent allergic reactions will trigger certain behaviors, conditions, and even symptoms like:
It depends on whether your cat has skin or food allergies. If your cat eats nothing but novel food and water for eight to ten weeks, the allergic symptoms in its skin will fade away. But if it is related to food allergies, then you need to find a diet that works for your cat and stick to it.
Most cats with inhalant allergies are allergic to a variety of allergens. Itching may only persist just several weeks at a time during one or two seasons of the year if the number of allergens is low and seasonal. The cat may scratch frequently if there are a lot of allergens or if they are there all year round.
Bringing a new kitten home can be exciting, especially if it is your first time. The day you have been looking forward to has finally arrived and you are ready to take on your responsibilities as a cat parent! However exciting it may be to embark on this journey, a caregiver should not forget to prepare their home for a kitten’s first day and night.
Start establishing a routine during your new kitten’s first week at home. For instance, start taking it to the vet, and introduce it to friends, family, and other pets. You should also be fully prepared for its first outings once it is fully vaccinated. Lastly, kitten-proofing your home is highly recommended. Bringing a new kitten home is no different than bringing a baby home. As a caregiver, you should put away all hazardous items in the house and create a safe space for your kitten.
For caregivers who are bringing a new kitten home, this article is the ideal read! Here’s what you need to know about introducing a new kitten to your home.
There are multiple things you need to do before getting a kitty into your house. For example, you must find a credible veterinarian in your vicinity. Especially because you have to take your newborn cat to the vet as soon as you adopt it. So, let’s explore other crucial steps to take before bringing a kitten home:
Kittens are tiny and delicate; hence, anything that can hurt or harm them should be put away. Make sure you have set up a sleeping space for your kitten, a food bowl, and a water bowl. Apart from that, place one or more litter boxes around your house depending on the size of your home. Make sure you cover any sharp edges of your furniture and don’t expose your kitten to any dangerous figures. Moreover, keep harmful plants and any toxic substances out of its reach.
For the first few nights, it is normal for new kittens to be anxious. It will take some time for a kitten to get used to its new home. It is also normal for your kitten to cry for the first few nights. You can make this experience better for it by setting up a cosy sleeping space. Once it gets comfortable in the new home, the kitty can even sleep for up to 20 hours a day.
It is not recommended to suddenly change your kitten’s food. Thus, find out what it was being fed by its previous caretaker. Stick to that meal plan for a few days and then gradually start changing your kitten’s diet. The best person to give you any advice on the right diet for kitties is a vet. Visit a veterinarian to receive a comprehensive feeding chart for your feline friend’s diet. For kittens between two to 12 months of age, IAMS Proactive Health Mother And Kitten dry food is ideal. It is loaded with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals to support healthy brain and eye development. This kitten food also contains colostrum and DHA – two essential nutrients that provide immunity and protection against diseases.
Now, let’s take a deep dive into understanding the things that must be done once you have brought the kitty home:
The first step after bringing a kitten home is to introduce your new feline friend to its new family. Kittens can feel nervous around strangers; hence, familiarising them with their new family is imperative. Ensure that the atmosphere is calm and not too loud as they tend to get anxious. Your kitten should be handled gently if being picked up by anyone. Give your kitten the space it requires and let it explore the house by itself.
If you have any other pets or more cats, introducing a new kitten to the rest of them is important. After all, they have to coexist and should get along as soon as possible. The best way to make them accustomed to each other is through scent. Keep switching sleep blankets so your pets can get used to being around each other. You can also place one pet’s towel under the other’s food dish. By doing this, all your pets will slowly get used to the new kitten.
Maintaining your kitten’s health is a priority. One of the most important things to do as soon as you bring a new kitten home is to set up a vaccination plan with the vet. Hence, make sure you visit a veterinarian at the earliest. Stay consistent with all vaccination doses for your kitten’s overall well-being. Later on, start taking your pet for regular medical check-ups. The doctor will examine your kitten’s weight, teeth, ears, etc. to gauge its nutritional needs.
Once your kitten starts feeling a little comfortable in your house, it will start exploring the space. If you see your kitten roaming around, it is great news. This means that it has started trusting the people and environment. However, make sure your kitty doesn’t get hurt while exploring its new home. You also don’t want to keep interrupting your pet to protect it from sharp edges. Hence, do not skip kitten-proofing your house. When your kitten gets up to move around, resist the urge to cuddle; let it explore and find the most comfortable spot for itself.
We all know that a new kitten requires some time and space to adjust to its new surroundings. However, once your new feline friend is all settled in, you can start playing basic games with it. For instance, play with a string. Cats love to play hide-and-seek or peek-a-boo. Start rewarding it with treats when it plays with you. It will soon start trusting you. And when your kitty rubs its body against you, licks your hand, or shows any form of affection, you will know that you have earned its trust.
