Feline Allergies - An Introduction

Feline allergies encompass a wide range of hypersensitivity in cats. At least one in ten cats will develop an allergy. When a cat develops one allergy she will often develop other allergies as time goes by.

The most common allergy found in cats is cat flea allergy. Unfortunately, their sensitivity to fleas increases with age.

Cat inhalant allergies are caused by pollen and other airborne substances which irritate the nasal passages and lungs.

Contact allergies in cats are irritating items and substances the cat has touched, often for a prolonged amount of time.

Feline food allergies are another problem, with grains, meats and dairy products the most commonly seen. These allergies develop slowly, often with the cat eating the food allergen for years before a reaction.

Feline skin allergies are actually not a separate type of allergy, but a term that is usually in reference to a contact allergy and feline food allergies, both which normally affect the skin much like allergies normally affect dogs-- with skin irritation and itching.

There are also a few cats that do not tolerate antibiotics or anesthesia well. This is manifested with allergy symptoms.

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