YOUR CAT COULD HAVE HAYFEVER – EXPERT TIPS ON HOW TO HELP

Warmer, dry weather increases the pollen load, which can impact the enjoyment of the great outdoors for some individuals. But did you know your cat could be suffering from hayfever as well?

The experts at All About Cats have revealed a few pointers so you can be aware of whether your cat has hayfever, and how to help them:

How to recognise the symptoms?

• Severe scratching – Pollen allergies can cause their skin, bottoms and ears to become very irritated and itchy. It goes well above the level of grooming you would expect your cat to engage in.
  
  
• Fur abrasions and bald spots – Allergies can trigger your cat to scratch incessantly, which can lead to baldness or might cause their hair to fall out.
  
  
• Snoring – You may notice your cat snoring, which is comparable to how some humans snore. This is caused by an irritated throat and is another indication that your cat has hayfever.
  
  
• Runny eyes – Keep a check on your cat’s eyes to see whether there is any secretion that might suggest irritation.
  
  
• Sore paws – If your cat is experiencing this, they may chew at their paws, so keep an eye out for this unusual behaviour.
  
  
• Coughing, sneezing, and wheezing- It will be particularly prominent if your cat also has asthma. If your cat has not been diagnosed with asthma but is experiencing these signs, you should visit your nearest vet clinic to determine the cause.

If your cat presents any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should schedule an appointment with a vet that will be able to provide a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Some of the symptoms may also signal other health issues, so your vet will rule them out before recommending a course of therapy.

Hayfever can be eased and treated in a variety of methods, including:

• Rule out fleas – A few of the symptoms listed are more typically related to fleas, so it is recommended to rule them out before seeking allergy advice from your vet. Inspect your cat’s fur for fleas and ensure you are up to date on monthly flea treatments.
  
  
• Bathing and brushing – Bathing your cat once or twice a week and brushing their coat on a daily basis will help eliminate pollen from their fur, minimizing irritation. Your vet should advice you on what shampoo to use.
  
  
• Daily antihistamines – These can help your cat’s long-term sensitivity to pollen and are most efficient when administered before your cat is exposed to the allergen.
  
  
• Cortisone, steroids or allergy injections – If your cat’s allergies are severe, these will help to manage symptoms from airborne pollens.
  
  
• Keep a clean indoor environment – You should effectively decrease the quantity of pollen in the cat’s indoor habitat by vacuuming and dusting on a daily basis, as well as cleaning their bedding and toys.

Doron Wolffberg, Founder of All About Cats said: “It is imperative that you do not attempt any home treatments before meeting with your vet, as you may aggravate the illness. Medication also necessitates a prescription, so bring your cat to the practice to get medical support they need.

“If food allergies and fleas have been ruled out, by definition your cat must be suffering from Non-Flea, Non-Food-Induced Hypersensitivity Dermatitis (NFNFIHD)- in other words, some sort of environmental allergy. Determining exactly what your cat is allergic to can be done with blood tests or skin tests using subcutaneous injections to test for a response.”