Hayfever is one of the most common illnesses in cats, yet many pet owners are unaware that pollen can also affect their cat. Hayfever, at its worst during the spring and summer months, does in fact plague both humans and animals alike.
At Clarendon Street Vets we see many cats with allergies to grass or tree pollens. In cats, these allergies tend to affect the skin more than it does the sinuses and can make your pet chronically ill. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help…
Contact us about cat allergies
1. Be aware of symptoms
Excessive licking and scratching are signs that are often associated with fleas, but they can also be brought on by an allergic reaction to pollen. This can irritate the skin and ears and make them very itchy. Plus, if your cat has bald patches around the lower back, groin, tail, or paws, there is a chance they may be suffering from hay fever.
2. Check for fleas
If your cat is itching, the first thing to rule out is fleas. You can check your pets fur for fleas or flea dirt at home or bring them in to the surgery for our vets or nurses to have a look. You should also ensure your cat is up to date with their preventative parasite treatments. Most spot-on pipettes and tablets need to be given monthly.
Not sure if your cat is up to date? Call our team on 01223 359021 and we can help.
3. Treatment options
If you are concerned your cat may have an allergy, book an appointment <link to find & contact page>to see one of our Vets. We can run tests to help pinpoint the problem and, if needed, subscribe treatments such as antihistamines or immunotherapy to make your cat more comfortable and change their reaction to the allergens.
Important: Never give your cat human medicines unless instructed by your Vet as only some are safe for cats and dosages will differ.
4. Preventative measures
It is hard to avoid pollen, as many hay fever sufferers in Cambridgeshire will know. Staying indoors to avoid pollens can be miserable when the sun is shining outside and forcing your cat to stay in can damage their health in other ways. In addition to immunotherapy injections or antihistamines, here are some other ways to help your cat beat hay fever:
- Evening primrose oil can be effective in reducing a reaction – drop into your cat’s food or directly into their mouth, or on their nose to lick off
- Wash your hands before and after handling your cat to reduce the transference of pollen
- Wipe your cat’s fur when they come inside with a damp cloth to remove some of the pollen
- If your cat is willing, an occasional bath can help to remove pollen from their fur
If you would like more advice on cat hay fever or wish to book an appointment if your cat is suffering, give us a call and we will be happy to help.