Similar to human beings, cats can as well suffer from allergic reactions. And when they do, you may notice your pet wheezing, sneezing, having digestive issues, or even peeling of their skin.
Regardless of the symptoms, an allergic attack on your feline is not an inviting experience. And therefore, if you notice your pet has any of the above signs, you need to take preventive steps to manage the situation.
To do so, however, you will first need to identify some of the potential causes of the allergy. The causes will form our basis on how to care for your allergic cat. Let us see at some of the methods of caring for an allergic cat.
Evaluate your Cat`s Feed
If you believe that your cat has a food allergy, it`s advisable that you change their diet. Ideally, your vet might require you to alter the food component or place your feline under an elimination diet until you figure which food components are intolerable.
Alternatively, a hassle-free and less time-consuming option is to go for the Hypoallergenic cat food, especially the limited ingredient cat food is specially formulated to reduce ingredient intolerance, and reduce the chances of an allergy occurring while providing your feline with a comprehensive and balanced diet.
Conduct a Flea-Proofing and Tick-proofing Plan
Though flea allergies are a seasonal scare, they can make the life of your pet unbearable. In most cases, flea allergy, also known as flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is characterized by symmetrical hair loss (alopecia), itchiness and flea “dirt.”
Once the vet determines the allergy, they might prescribe topical or oral treatment. The most effective and safest method against the flea allergy, however, is flea-proofing your home. Discuss a comprehensive flea-proofing mechanism, which includes thorough cleaning, and vacuuming of your house, and proper disposal of all waste materials to avoid future infestations. If you pet has external fleas, get a flea treatment for cats
that your vet recommends.
Choose the Right Litter Box
Cats are fastidiously clean animals, and they usually do their grooming in the litter box, which makes maintaining a cat relatively easy. However, while cat litter may seem like the same, using a hypoallergenic cat litter can make a huge difference, especially if your cat is allergic.
Specifically tailored for the sensitive cats, a hypoallergenic cat litter is a low-dust, and perfume/odor free equipment that limits the exposure of your pet to allergens. Additionally, unlike the typical litter, hypoallergenic cat litters use heavy all-natural granules to reduce tracking and promote healthy experience.
Dust your Cat`s Beddings Frequently
Dust and pollen are a major contributor to cat allergies. Therefore, if you have an allergic cat, you should consider dusting or rather clean their beddings or sleeping materials as frequently as possible to avoid the accumulation of dirt and dust.
Conclusion
Like humans, allergies can make the life of your furry friend miserable at the very least. However, you can use the above tips to manage any allergies in your cat.
With food being the most notorious cause of allergies in cats, you should consider using hypoallergenic food for cats to manage this upheaval effectively.