Do you think your feline friend has an allergy? Find out what kind of allergies cats can have and how you can treat them.

What are allergies and how do they affect cats?

One of the most common conditions affecting cats is an allergy. An allergy occurs when the cat’s immune system “overreacts” to foreign substances called allergens or antigens. Allergens and antigens are simply foreign proteins that the body’s immune system tries to remove.

These overreactions are manifested in one of three ways:

  1. The most common manifestation is itching of the skin, either localized in one area or a generalized reaction all over the cat’s body.
  2. Another manifestation involves the respiratory system and may result in coughing, sneezing, and wheezing. Sometimes, there may be an associated nasal or ocular (eye) discharge.
  3. The third manifestation involves the digestive system, resulting in vomiting, flatulence or diarrhea.
How many types of allergies are there?

There are four common types of allergies in the cat: contact, flea, food, and inhalant. Each has common clinical signs and unique characteristics.

See more information about allergies in cats here »

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