Allergies in Cats: Why Fluffy Can't Stop Scratching and How to Help

Is your cat itching like mad? Have you noticed your typically cute kitty is experiencing hair loss, looking patchy or has been leaving clumps of fur everywhere? Maybe you've seen Fluffy licking themself constantly or sneezing, coughing or wheezing.

Like humans, cats can have allergic reactions that create uncomfortable or painful symptoms. And like humans, getting expert medical advice (from your veterinarian in this case) is the best way to get your feline friend feeling better.

Symptoms of Allergies in Cats

Allergies can cause your cat to experience a range of symptoms. In addition, you may have to look very closely at your cat's skin and fur because they're good at hiding things that bother them.

Your cat may have an allergy if you notice:

• Excessive licking, rubbing or scratching
• Bald patches or spots
• Red skin or skin inflammation (rash)
• Scaly skin
• Sores or scabs
• Bumps or lumps
• Coughing or wheezing
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea or gas

Types of Cat Allergies

Cats can be allergic to many things, whether they touch it, eat it, or breathe it in. Allergies are a common cause of skin irritation in cats because they can have sensitive skin under all that fur.

There are three main causes of allergies in cats:

1. Environmental: If your cat is coughing or wheezing, they may be allergic to the things in your house, yard, and the outdoors, including pollen, grass, mold, fungi and dust. They can even be allergic to airborne allergens like perfume, cigarette smoke and chemicals from cleaning products.
2. Fleas: If your cat is very itchy, it may be allergic to flea bites. Fleas leave behind saliva when they bite. It only takes one flea bite to cause a reaction of extreme itchiness if your cat has this allergy.
3. Food: Vomiting, gas or diarrhea may be from a food allergy. Dietary allergies can also create itchy skin.

Cat Allergies vs. Cat Dermatitis: What's the Difference?

If your cat is extremely itchy, it could be from a skin rash called dermatitis. Dermatitis and allergies are often confused because the two are closely related. Dermatitis is usually caused by allergies, though there are other causes.

There are two types of cat dermatitis commonly caused by cat allergies:

1. Atopic dermatitis in cats: a skin rash from digesting food or breathing in airborne particles. Cats can have dermatitis from food allergies as well.
2. Miliary dermatitis in cats: a skin rash from a fleabite

Both types of cat dermatitis require diagnosis and treatment from your vet, mainly because the uncomfortable rash may be a symptom of something other than cat allergies.

Treating Allergies in Cats

Helping your cat with their allergies could be as simple as preventing them in the first place. That means removing things from your cat's living space that could be causing the cat's allergy.

However, in many cases, your vet can help you determine the best next steps to help your kitty, which might include:

• Changing to a dust-free litter
• Switching your cat's food
• Cleaning your home, so there's less dust and other allergens
• Bathing your cat with special shampoos (and their bedding) to remove irritants
• Avoiding smoke and perfume in the house
• Medicating your cat to provide relief (which could include flea prevention, pills, lotions or oral solutions)

Allergy Tests for Cats, What to Expect

Allergy testing for cats can help veterinarians rule out what is causing a cat's allergy. However, cat allergy tests can take some time, so it's best to call your vet promptly if you suspect your cat has allergies.

Your vet will give your cat a physical examination and ask you questions about symptoms. Next, your vet will likely perform a few tests to check for allergies (or rule out other skin conditions if that's one of their symptoms). Some possible types of cat allergy tests include:

• Skin scrape: Your vet will scrape some of your cat's dry skin and examine it under a microscope to see if parasites are present.
• Fungal culture: Your vet will remove a few hairs from your cat, place the fur sample on a particular medium and monitor the sample over a few weeks to see if a fungus, like ringworm, is present or develops. The standard diagnostic is a PCR test which gives results in two to three days.
• Atopy: Feline atopy refers to non-food allergic dermatitis caused by environmental allergens. Essentially a process of elimination, your vet will help you make changes one by one to your cat's diet and environment to pinpoint the cause of the allergy. Food allergies are diagnosed by process of elimination or hypoallergenic diets
• Intradermal skin testing: While your cat is sleeping (under general anesthesia), your vet will inject small amounts of allergens into the skin and watch to see how your cat's immune system reacts. Small patches of fur have to be shaved during this procedure.
• Radioallergosorbent (RAST) testing: Your vet will take a small sample of blood and send it out to a lab to be tested for reactions to allergens.

How Much Does It Cost to Test for Allergies in Cats

The cost of getting your cat an allergy test will depend on what kind of test your vet recommends (based on a combination of symptoms, medical history and preferences). Here's a breakdown of the average costs related to allergy tests and treatments for cats:¹

• Blood tests: $200-$300
• Skin tests: $195-$250
• Hypoallergenic food: $22-$37
• Antibiotics: $30-$50
• Antihistamines: $10

CareCredit Credit Card Financing for Cats

The CareCredit credit card is an easy way to pay for your cat's annual checkups, food and products at veterinary practices in the CareCredit network.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a veterinarian near you that accepts CareCredit to help keep your pet healthy and happy for a lifetime of love. CareCredit is there for you and your pet every step of the way; continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

Expert Reviewer

Dr. Kathy Wentworth, V.M.D.

Dr. Kathy Wentworth has been caring for companion animals in Southern California for 22 years after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine. She grew up in Colorado and completed her undergraduate studies in Animal Physiology and Neuroscience at UC San Diego. Dr. Kathy furthered her passion as a veteran by becoming board certified as a Diplomate in Canine and Feline Practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (2010-2020).

Author Bio

Kristin Driver is a digital writer with CareCredit. She specializes in writing about health care, finances and pet care. Her work has been published by Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Health, Stanford Health Care, Risk & Insurance, Modern Health Care, Risk Insider, CIO Review and more.