Spring is in the air, and so the sneezing begins. Hay fever suffering isn’t just a human problem though. Cats can also be affected by seasonal allergies.
In fact, hay fever is one of the most common feline ailments and as well as causing them distress, it can make your cat chronically ill.
Grass and tree pollen are the biggest offenders and mostly affect a cat’s skin. Symptoms to look out for include;
- Excessive licking and scratching (goes beyond typical grooming), especially around the bottom and ears.
- Sores or bald patches around your cat’s lower back, groin, tail, paws, face or neck (caused by scratching).
- Itchy eyes.
- Snoring, caused by an inflamed throat.
- Chewing their paws.
Excessive licking and scratching are often linked to fleas, so it’s important to rule those out. Make sure your pet is up-to-date with their monthly flea treatments and gently run a pet comb through your cat’s fur, looking for any flea dirt (very small, black specs that turn a reddish brown when sprinkled onto a damp tissue.)
Can you prevent your cat from getting seasonal allergies?
Your vet may prescribe anti-allergy injections and cat-safe antihistamines to help control the effects of seasonal allergies like hay fever.
There are a couple of things you can do at home to help too. As cats can literally be up to their ears in long grass, encouraging them to spend some time indoors may help. Enrichment toys, games and a selection of comfy resting places can all help, however, if your cat is the outdoor type and becomes stressed when confined it is best to let him or her out.
You can also wipe your cat down with a slightly damp cloth when they come inside to remove loose pollen from their fur.
Call us on 01223 359021 if you think your cat has an allergy and we can book them in for a check-up.