How do you know if your cat has allergies?? What are the symptoms on the cat??

Answer 1

Food allergies account for about 10% of all the allergies seen in cats and dogs. It is the third most common cause after flea bite allergies and atopy (inhalant allergies).
The entire process of a pet being sensitized to a particular agent in food and the complicated antibody response that occurs in the intestinal tract in pets with food allergies are not very well understood. Despite our lack of understanding of the actual disease process, there are many things that we do know including the symptoms, how to diagnose food allergies, and also how to treat them.

Cats develop allergies to those foods that are most frequently fed.
Food allergies affect both cats and dogs. Unlike atopy, there is no strong link between specific breeds and food allergies. Food allergies affect both males and females and neutered and intact animals equally. They can show up as early as five months and as late as 12 years of age, though the vast majority of cases occur between 2 and 6 years. Many animals with food allergies also have concurrent inhalant or contact allergies.

Food allergy or intolerance?

There is a distinction that needs to be made between food allergies and food intolerances. Food allergies are true allergies and show the characteristic symptoms of itching and skin problems associated with feline and canine allergies. Food intolerances can result in diarrhea or vomiting and do not create a typical allergic response. Food intolerances in pets would be similar to people that get diarrhea or an upset stomach from eating spicy or fried foods. Fortunately, both food intolerances and allergies can be eliminated with a diet free from offending agents.

Common food culprits

Several studies have shown that some ingredients are more likely to cause food allergies than others. In cats, the most common offenders are fish, beef, and dairy products. As you may have noticed, the most common offenders are the most common ingredients in both cat and dog foods. This correlation is not a coincidence. While some proteins might be slightly more antigenic than others, many proteins are similar in form and the incidence of allergic reactions are probably associated with the amount of exposure.

Symptoms

The symptoms of food allergies are similar to those of most other allergies seen in cats. The primary symptom is itchy skin. Symptoms may also include hair loss, excessive scratching, and miliary dermatitis.

It is difficult to distinguish an animal suffering from food allergies from an animal suffering from atopy or other allergies based on physical signs. However, there are a few signs that always make me suspect food allergies. If a cat suffers from allergies year-round or if symptoms begin in the winter, I suspect a food allergy. Cats may develop very itchy skin which does not respond to antihistamines or steroid treatment.

Answer 2

It can manifest in many ways depending on what the allergy is. My one cat at home has them and her eyes will get a pinkish edge on the bottom and be really watery and she'll get a runny nose. Sometimes she'll even get hotspots--spots on the skin that are kinda scabby and warm to the touch--on her skin which when scratched feel really good but cause even more problems and make the spots worse. She also experienced hair loss on her belly that never came back in. If you think your cat might have allergies I'd suggest talking to your vet and seeing if the tests are affordable for you and then if so having them done.

Answer 3

Cats and humans have similar allergy symptoms - sneezing, rashes or hives, watering eyes and nose, labored breathing, ect. Only a vet can tell if these are the signs of a more serious illness.

One of my cats is serverly allergic to fleas, and gets massive sores anytime she's bitten.

Answer 4

usually allergies in cats manifest itself by the cat scratching itself till it bleeds, usually in one spot. My mom's himilayan is allergic to mice, flea powder, wool, cotton, and half a dozen other things. Mom finally had her tested after dealing with her scratching. Obviously we cannot eliminate all those things from Anastasia's environment, so her allergies are controlled by medication.

Answer 5

Cats sneeze just like we do, if he sneezes uncontrollably then he might have an allergy

Answer 6

skin rashes - like scabbing. That is how I found out one of mine had a food allergy.

Answer 7

If you mean food allergies which are fairly common, that manifests with digestive upsets - vomiting, loose stool, farting or diarrhea.