allergies in cats – PoC – our relationship with cats and other animals

Common allergens affecting domestic cats and feline atopy (infographic)

Cats can be allergic to a variety of substances, but the most common allergens affecting domestic cats include: Food allergens: Some cats can develop an allergy to certain ingredients in their diet, such as chicken, beef, fish, dairy, or grains. Environmental allergens: Cats can also be allergic to environmental factors such as dust mites, mold, …

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What triggers allergies in cats?

Leave a Comment / autoimmune disease / By Michael Broad

I’m referring to allergies suffered by domestic cats caused by their self-harming immune response to allergens in the environment. I am not referring to people being allergic to cats. Allergies in cats are caused by a defective immune system. The helper T-cells activate and deactivate parts of the immune system. They interpret instructions to do …

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Food and other cat allergies fully discussed

Leave a Comment / allergy / By Michael Broad

What are the most common cat allergies? I believe that you can break this topic down to food allergies, feline miliary dermatitis, irritant contact and allergic contact dermatitis and inhalant allergies. I believe that allergies in cats is a major issue and a hard one to resolve. There are too many cats suffering with allergies. …

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Why is my cat itchy but no fleas?

Leave a Comment / itchy skin / By Michael Broad

Here is a list of itchy skin diseases other than a current infestation of cat fleas. One of them may apply to your cat. However, there is no substitute for taking your cat to a good veterinarian. Unless you are very competent, I would not try and self-diagnose your cat’s itchy skin unless it is …

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Bumps and scabs on ears in summer is possibly caused by a seasonal allergy to pollen or grass

Bumps and scabs on ears during summer. A cause.

2 Comments / allergy / By Michael Broad

This might be an instructive story which may guide some cat owners but please remember that cat owners who are unqualified in veterinary medicine should be very cautious about self-diagnosis through Internet research. You might get some ideas through personal research but you will probably need the input of a veterinarian which of course is …

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What is a pruritic cat?

2 Comments / itchy skin / By Michael Broad

A pruritic cat is an itchy cat. The medical term for itching is ‘pruritus’. I am not a veterinarian but I think this is one of the more disconcerting diseases that a cat can suffer from. I feel for pruritic cats. Constantly itching must be horrible and emotionally draining. The video from the Cuyahoga Falls …

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Can cats be allergic to other cats?

Leave a Comment / allergy / By Michael Broad

This is not a question which is asked a lot and neither is it answered a lot, or at all usefully, but theoretically it is possible for a domestic cat to be allergic to another domestic cat. However, I don’t think is possible for a domestic cat to be allergic to the primary domestic cat …

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Cat pawing at ear. Causes.

ear disorder / By Michael Broad

It’s obvious that if a cat is pawing at her ear or ears it is because the ear flap (pinnae) or ear canal is irritating or hurting her. The question is what is the cause of that irritation or hurt? Here are some possibilities. If you decide there’s something genuinely wrong don’t hesitate to take …

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Why do cats scratch themselves?

Leave a Comment / itchy skin / By Michael Broad

Domestic cat scratch themselves for the same reason that we scratch ourselves: to relieve an itch. Before I explain some reasons for itchiness in domestic cats there are two aspects which are noteworthy, (1) cats sometime scratch themselves far too much because they don’t rationalise the fact that they are hurting themselves with their claws …

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Can cats be allergic to dogs and vice versa?

Leave a Comment / allergy / By Michael Broad

Yes, cats can be allergic to dogs and dogs can be allergic to cats although it is not something you hear much about probably because veterinarians are sometimes unsure which allergen causes an allergic reaction in a cat or dog. However, theoretically it is possible. The problem is that cat allergies appear to be a …

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Hives (Urticaria) can affect cats and people

My cat’s lips are swollen

Leave a Comment / allergy / By Michael Broad

By Anonymous: My cat’s lips are swollen. It happened suddenly. I am concerned. She was okay yesterday and as far as I can tell nothing has happened since then. She is allowed outside into the backyard which is enclosed. What do you think caused it? Response from Michael: This may be an allergic reaction as …

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Can cats be allergic to feathers?

Leave a Comment / allergy / By Michael Broad

Can domestic cats be allergic to feather pillows and duvets? I ask because a recent newspaper story tells us that humans can be allergic to feathers in bedding. A guy called Martin Taylor developed ‘feather duvet lung’ and was signed off work with fatigue and breathlessness. He could barely stand. It is a condition caused …

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Can cats get hay fever? Yes – causes, symptoms and treatments.

allergy / By Michael Broad

Yes, cats can get hay fever. Hay fever is also called allergic rhinitis (nasal allergies). Feline hay fever is caused by contact with environmental irritants and allergens. Pollen, dust and cigarette smoke are possible causes. Sometimes it might be a new carpet cleaner, deodorant powders or perhaps a new detergent for your laundry that might …

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For the sake of us and our cats, make clean indoor air a legal right

Leave a Comment / cat welfare / By Michael Broad

In the UK, leading doctors have called for clean indoor air quality to be covered by the law. Going through Parliament at the moment is a bill and the Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have urged Michael Gove, the environment secretary, to include indoor air quality in this …

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Domestic cats allergic to grass

Leave a Comment / allergy / By Michael Broad

There is a recent story of a domestic cat in the UK who is allergic to grass (The Northern Echo). Ironically, his name is Ronaldo after the great Portuguese footballer who of course plays on grass. His veterinarian diagnosed an allergy to grass after he developed a rash over his body when he had been …

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Note: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified.