Much like people, cats can suffer from allergies too. There are four types of feline allergies. They include flea, inhalant, food, and contact. Let's take a look at these four different types.
Flea
Most cats don't have much of a reaction to a flea bite. However, some cats can have a severe allergic reaction to just one bite. The intense itching will prompt your cat to chew or severely scratch himself. This can cause the hair in the area too fall out. Your cat can also develop open sores which may open him up to a bacterial infection. It is important to practice very good flea control if your cat is allergic to flea bites.
Contact
Some cats also suffer from contact feline allergies. Various materials around your home can cause an allergic reaction. Common items bedding and flea collars. This type of allergy is easy to treat, as you simply have to keep your cat away from the offending material.
Food
Some felines develop an allergy to certain ingredients in their food. Most cats develop this type of allergy after consuming the food over a long period of time. Common ingredients include eggs, wheat, corn, chicken, milk, and beef. If your cat develops a food allergy, he may suffer respiratory problems, digestive problems, or severe itching. You will have to keep an eye on what foods your cat eats. In some cases, your cat may have to take medications such as steroids or antihistamines.
Inhalant
One of the last types of feline allergies is the inhalant variety. This is the most common form. Cats can be allergic to dust mites, mildew, mold, or pollen. If your cat is allergic to pollen, he may experience flare-ups at certain times of the year, just like people. Cats that are allergic to mold, mildew, or dust mites may experience reactions throughout the year. Some cats are treated using hypoallergenic shampoo, while others undergo desensitization.
Feline allergies can be very troublesome for your cat. However, there are many other diseases and conditions that may affect your cat in the future such as feline hypothyroidism . So, stop by cat-illnesses.com to learn about more of these other conditions like feline asthma .
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