Can cats have allergies?

Question

I asked my sister to watch my cat while I went overseas. But she said that she could not because her cat has an allergy to other cats. Her cat starts sneezing and coughing when he is around them. She says she went to a vet and he told her this. Is this possible? If he is allergic to cat dander and hair...wouldn't he be allergic to himself too? Or did she just not want to watch my cat.

Answer 1

Spring is here and plants, trees and bushes are starting to bloom throughout the Treasure Valley. Along with all the colorful, beautiful flowers, come all the clouds of pollen generated by the blooms. Affected humans start to feel the weight of their allergies with runny, itchy eyes and noses and onset of multiple sneezes. Those with asthma are especially cautious of this change of seasons. Cats too have allergies and although no one knows for sure, we speculate that cats, just like people can be hypersensitive to pollen and develop the classic symptoms of asthma, coughing and wheezing.
Asthma is also called allergic bronchitis since it causes inflammation and narrowing of the bronchi, or air passageways. Symptoms such as wheezing and distress occur when air is inhaled and the alveoli or air sacs fill, but cannot be emptied, just like in people. When a cat tries to exhale, the bronchi narrow and air remains trapped in the alveoli. We then see the classic signs of an asthma attack, a wheezing and coughing cat. Cats don’t cough like we do and many clients think their cat is trying to “cough” up a hairball. A coughing cat will put his upper body in a “push-up” like position with his hind legs tucked under him. He will then extend his neck parallel to the ground and forcefully attempt to exhale. The act of trying to exhale can go on for up to a minute. An asthma cough is called “nonproductive.” This means that nothing comes up through the air passages as the coughing proceeds. Attacks can be intermittent and occur only occasionally or, in some cases, occur multiple times in a 24-hour period. After the coughing spell, most cats act totally normal. However, we know that cats in general will do anything they can to hide their discomfort and try to compensate for an underlying disease by appearing like nothing unusual is going on. So, don’t be fooled that your coughing cat is doing just fine, because he or she isn’t! A rule of thumb to follow is: If your cat cough’s more than once a day, it is not from a hairball, and a trip to your cat’s veterinarian is in order.

Because feline asthma can mimic infectious diseases such as a bacterial or viral bronchitis, or parasites such as heartworm or lungworm, diagnosing asthma is done with caution. Your cat must fit the pattern of having a seasonal or intermittent nonproductive cough. Blood tests are run as we look for characterizing abnormalities. Additionally, chest X-rays will show certain signs in all asthmatic cats such as thickening of the air passageways, and increased air trapped in the lungs. Unfortunately, infectious lung diseases can look like an asthmatic lung on an x-ray, therefore, in some cases, advanced tests are done under anesthesia such as a tracheal wash. In this procedure, fluid is collected from the bronchi and studied under a microscope. We are looking for cells, bacteria or other organisms to help us diagnose the underlying cause of the cough. We also test the fluid for hidden bacteria, which can grow when the lungs become compromised.
By Alexis Higdon, DVM
http://www.catdr.com/cat_care_asthma.htm

Answer 2

I had a cat that was allergic to all things milk. Not all animal product dander, so it would stand to reason that your sisters cat could be allergic to your's, but at the same time, there are medicines to help with the allergies. Maybe if you offered to pay for the meds for her cat to be comfortable while your's is there, she would reconsider.

Answer 3

Yes they can have allergies, but to be allergic to its own species? Highly doubtful. She could however be allergic to shampoos, flea sprays, or other products used on the other cat. Maybe something in a collar or some kind of air freshener that settled in the other cat's fur. Possibly the other owner's perfume. You never know. I had a cat that was allergic to flea bites. He would go completely bald in the summer.

Answer 4

Yes, cats can have allergies, although I agree with Lola, it is highly doubtful that your cat is allergic to other cats. Rather, as Lola said, it could be the products used on the other cats.

Also, it could be any number of "household-typical" products that are used in your sister's house that are not used in yours- such as: a different kind of cat litter, food, your sister's (and other members of the household) perfume/ deodorants, etc.. if your sister probably walks outside in areas you don't usually walk and if, while doing so, she were to pick up an outdoor allergen on her shoes or clothing, etc..

Be careful about allergy medication for cats, though. Check everything out thoroughly. Definitely check with your vet, but vets aren't superhuman and they don't know everything. For instance, one of my cats has terrible allergies (hayfever!) and I was ready to buck up and pay for her to have regular cortizone shots.. but then she nearly died because she was highly allergic to the first cortizone shot!!!!

Good luck.

Answer 5

Maybe the other cat has an anxiety disorder. Cats sometimes hate other cats being around and may behave strangely. Maybe the vet should put it on medication if it is an allergy.

Answer 6

my cat is allergic to fish - feed it too her and she goes bald! Now being allergic to other cats - I donnow

Answer 7

yes all mammals can

Answer 8

yes they can have allergeries

Answer 9

yes they do.