Just like people, cats can develop allergies to things like pollen, grass, dust, etc.
In addition, allergic cats develop many of the same symptoms as humans.
Cat Allergy Symptoms
Cats with allergies sneeze, cough, get watery eyes, and runny noses just like people do.
If your cat has seasonal allergies, you will also notice:
- Bald spots
- Excessive scratching
- Redness around chin, ears, eyes, or mouth
- Skin irritation
- Snoring (caused by irritation in the throat)
Household Changes to Help Your Cat’s Allergies
If your cat has seasonal allergies, you can make a few simple changes at home to help him feel better.
Keep your cat indoors when the pollen count is high.
Also, keep your home allergen free. Vacuum and wipe often, and change your HVAC filters monthly.
In addition, consider purchasing an air purifier to remove dust and pollen from the air.
Make sure your cat is flea free. Flea allergies are common in cats, and all it takes is one bite to trigger the allergic response.
Is your cat itchy and scratchy around his mouth? If his food dish is plastic, he might be allergic to the bowl. Try switching to glass, metal or ceramic.
Switch cat litter. Some cats are sensitive to chemicals and scents in many cat litter brands. Find a bag of low dust, chemical free brand and give it a try.
Do you like to cook? Try a home-cooked diet for cat allergies. Often limiting ingredients in a cat’s diet helps allergy symptoms.
PET | TAO’s Limited Ingredient Recipe is the perfect food for allergic cats.
Home Remedies for Cat Allergies
Sometimes you can treat cat allergies with home remedies.
Our favorites are pine bark extract, apple cider vinegar, and coconut oil.
Pine Bark Extract
Give pine bark orally as a supplement.
Pine bark extract is a powerhouse and:
- Has excellent antioxidant properties
- Supports the systems in control of inflammation
- Inhibits the release of histamine from mast cells
Mast cells release histamine. Histamine triggers allergic symptoms when an allergen is present.
Pine bark extract blocks histamine release and decreases the allergic symptoms.
Pine bark extract also helps normalize the immune response.
It inhibits Nuclear Factor-Kappa B and lowers the sensitivity level for triggering an immune response.
To supplement your cat, look at the human dosing recommendations on the label.
Then, give your cat 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 of the recommended amount.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Add a small amount of Apple Cider Vinegar to your cat’s food.
Make sure to use apple cider vinegar, not distilled white vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar contains more nutrients than white vinegar.
Start by adding 1⁄4 teaspoon to food twice daily for cats under 12 pounds, or 1⁄2 tsp for cats over 12 lbs.
Gradually increase the amount of vinegar to 1/4 teaspoon per 4 pounds of body weight.
Adding apple cider vinegar to food boosts your cat’s stomach acid, aiding digestion.
Efficient digestion often eliminates some food intolerances.
Apple cider vinegar also:
- Maintains your cat’s acid/alkaline balance
- Improves digestion
- Acts as a urinary system tonic
- Clears urinary tract infections
Healthy changes boost your cat’s immune system and keep allergies at bay.
You can also use vinegar as a topical treatment.
Just mix vinegar and water at a ratio of 1⁄2 water to 1⁄2 vinegar, and either spray or dab the mixture onto the problem areas.
Vinegar works great for pustules, hot spots, and other allergic reactions on the skin.
If using topically on light-colored cats, use distilled white vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar may darken the fur of white and very light colored cats.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil helps your cat’s allergies both inside and outside.
Internally, coconut oil helps skin conditions and allergies because of its antioxidant effect.
Coconut oil also helps a cat’s digestive system better absorb commercial cat food.
Just add a small spoonful at each feeding.
Externally, coconut oil treats ear mites, mange, and the symptoms of dry, itchy skin.
Some cat parents even tout coconut oil as a flea treatment.
The antioxidant properties of coconut oil soothe allergic sores and broken skin.
Coconut oil’s antibacterial and anti-fungal properties also keep bacterial and fungal infections away.
And, it’s totally ok for your cat to lick the coconut oil off his fur or skin.
He’s just given himself a nice, healthy internal dose of a coconut oil supplement!
Now you have an arsenal of ideas to help you allergic cat feel better.
If you try our recommendations and are still having allergy problems, you should see your vet.
Medicinal Mushrooms
The most common medicinal mushrooms available commercially are Maitake, Reishi, Shitake, and Turkey Tail.
Medicinal mushrooms support and balance the immune system, promoting overall health and well-being for pets.
In addition, the Reishi mushroom reduces the release of histamine, soothing for itching and inflammation.
Reishi also facilitates oxygen supply to the body, which is important in chronic and allergic asthma.
Choose top quality mushrooms to reap the most benefit.
PET | TAO’s Complement Immune Mushroom Blend is an excellent choice.
Herbal and other natural treatments are gentle and rarely have side effects.
Most herbal remedies start helping in two weeks. You’ll see maximum benefits around six weeks.
If your cat’s still itching after 3 weeks, see your veterinarian.
Chronic, untreated itching can turn into “hot spots”.
Hot spots often escalate to bacterial, fungal, and yeast infections.
Good luck with your cat!
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