Cat Pollen Allergy: What To Do If Your Cat Is Allergic to Pollen
Can you tell the symptoms of pollen allergy in your cat? Learn them now and also what you can do to help her deal with this easier!
With humans, allergies are a common thing. Everybody knows someone, who suffers from hay fever at some time during the year. It may come as a surprise to many that our feline friends can also suffer from cat pollen allergy. And while there is no permanent cure for the pollen allergies in cats, there are certain things you can do to help your cat. Whether you’re a first-time cat parent or not, find out what works best for your kitty!
Find the source of the allergy
Your veterinarian’s allergy test says your cat is allergic to a plant that doesn’t grow anywhere near you? But your cat still shows symptoms of a severe allergic reaction?
In order to protect your kitty from a cat pollen allergy, you need to know where she is going on her daily trips.
Maybe your cat’s outdoor excursions take her to places you’re not aware of. Of course, not all places are safe for your cat. Some places can put your cat in danger.
Pollen allergy explained
Allergies work the same way in every organism, feline or human. It is not entirely known why some of us get allergies while others don’t, but what is certain, is that an allergy causes the body to react to certain substances in the same way it reacts to diseases.
As a result, the immune system produces antibodies and launches all available defense mechanisms and chemicals.This includes:
- the production of histamine (which is useful in defeating diseases)
- swelling
- itching
- watery eyes
- runny nose
For patients with pollen allergies, the substance or “allergen” that causes this reaction is pollen, a fine powdery substance secreted by seed-producing plants for reproduction.
Does my cat have a pollen allergy?
Just like humans, cats can also suffer from pollen allergies and the common symptoms can be similar to ours. Consult your veterinarian, if your cat shows signs of:
- Watery eyes
- Running nose
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Itchy skin rashes
Note: It is important to give your vet a full history of these symptoms.
Checklist: Prepare these answers before you visit your vet for the pollen allergy
- When did they first appear?
- Has your cat had them before?
- Did you make any changes to the cat’s food, outdoor privileges or other routines recently?
Your vet will give your cat a thorough examination to rule out common colds and food allergies.
After excluding the possibility of food allergies, the vet will conduct a blood test to check for antibodies, just like in a human allergy test. As a result, the expert should be able to not only tell you if your cat has a pollen allergy but also what specific types of pollen your cat is allergic to.
Avoid contact with the main allergen sources
Once you know for sure what kind of allergy your cat has, you know how to help her feel better.
Here are a few tips:
| Tips against cat pollen allergy | |
|---|---|
| Prevent contact to allergen source: | Just like with humans, the most effective way to protect your cat from an allergic reaction is to prevent contact with the allergens in question. |
| Get informed: | There are pollen calendars available, that show the time of the year which plants usually bloom.
In addition, many meteorological societies measure the pollen in the air daily and provide accurate live information on how much of which allergen is currently in the air at your location. |
| Make a choice: | Knowing when your cat is in danger of an allergic reaction, you have the choice of:
|
| Keep kitty inside: | If you choose to keep your cat inside while the pollen they are allergic to is outside, take extra care when airing your home. |
| Get fresh air: | Most seed and pollen producing plants bloom during the day, so you can significantly help your cat by only opening windows after sunset. |
Here’s what helps if your cat suffers from pollen allergy
Despite your good intentions, your cat is still unhappy being kept indoors? In case your cat suffers from a severe cat pollen allergy, where even the smallest dose of allergens on your clothes can trigger dangerous reactions, there are certain medications that can help. These include:
- Antihistamines: suppress the production of histamine in the body and therefore reduce the itching, sneezing and swelling. They should only be taken over the course of a few weeks at a time to avoid your cat’s becoming immune to them.
- Corticosteroids: reduce inflammation and swelling, but can also have serious side-effects if taken over longer periods of time.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: help keep your cat’s skin healthy and alleviate the itch of skin rashes.
- Homeopathic remedies: for humans, but can also be used for cats. Make sure to only use globules. Tonics usually contain alcohol, which is poisonous to your feline.
More tips on treating cat pollen allergy
Learn more about how to treat seasonal allergies in cats in the video below:
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