Do Cats Have Seasonal Allergies?
Cats are prone to many kinds of allergies including respiratory, also called inhalant, allergies. Although it is rarely easy to determine exactly what the cat is allergic to, there are medicines that will help with a broad range of allergies in cats. Many are the same medicines given to people who have allergies (at much smaller doses, however).
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Symptoms
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Cats with seasonal allergies may have nasal discharge, coughing or wheezing and even sneezing. However, many cats don't exhibit these kinds of symptoms; rather, they develop skin rashes, fur loss and hot spots (moist hairless itchy areas of skin), even in response to inhaled irritants (rather than through direct skin contact with the allergen). The cat may also scratch her skin a lot, despite being flea-free.
Allergen Sources
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Pollens from ragweed and other plants and trees may cause seasonal allergies in your cat. Some cats, like some dogs, are even allergic to grass. It is not always easy to determine the exact cause, but if your cat regularly has symptoms during ragweed season, for example, she may be allergic to that pollen.
According to Vetinfo.com, flea allergies (flea allergy dermatitis) may also be considered seasonal, since they occur only during flea season (which is spring, summer and early fall, depending on where you live. Areas with warm winters may never have an off-season for fleas.).
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Seasons
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Cats that exhibit symptoms in the spring may be allergic to pollen. Cats that exhibit symptoms in the winter may be allergic to dust in the home. Cats can also develop sensitivities to mold, which can occur any time of the year indoors, given the right conditions. Since mold growth in the home may coincidentally correspond with increase of pollen count outdoors, it is often difficult to pinpoint which stimulant the cat may be responding to--in some cases, the cat may be allergic to several things.
Treatment
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Steroid shots or oral corticosteroid medicines, antihistamines and topical creams are forms of treatment for cats with allergies. In some cases, if the exact allergen is known, your cat may receive an allergy shot to help her build up tolerance to a substance.
Considerations
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Allergy symptoms (especially nasal congestion and other respiratory symptoms) can also be symptoms of other illnesses. Take the cat to a vet for a diagnosis before assuming it is just allergies.
Keep an allergic cat indoors during times when the pollen count is high. In addition, wiping her down with hypoallergenic bathing wipes (look for these at pet stores) may help reduce allergic reactions (pollen and other allergens can stick to a cat's fur).
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