Common Dog and Cat Allergies
While most of us enjoy the emergence of Spring, we are not so fond of the “allergy season” and how it affects us as well as our pets. However, unfortunately these days, allergies are not limited to just the seasonal varieties. Below, we’ve gathered a list of the four most common types of allergies in dogs and cats. Each of these allergies has its own causes and treatments. But understanding the categories can make a big difference in how well you recognize your dog or cat’s allergic reaction.
4 Common Dog and Cat Allergies
Food
This is usually apparent when they have a sick stomach (most commonly seen as vomiting and diarrhea) after eating certain types of food.
However, food allergies may also present as skin conditions or fur loss, so be on the lookout for skin and hair problems in your dog, like alopecia. Your vet can determine whether your dog or cat has allergies or if the fur loss is due to another reason, like fleas, parasites, or environmental allergens, rather than a food allergy.
Skin Allergies
Skin allergies are often caused by exposure to fleas/ticks and plants. Yard treatment chemicals can also cause your dog’s skin to become irritated.
Clinical signs seen most commonly with this are redness of skin itself, itchiness, or even the presentation of hives (small raised red bumps over the skin). There may be other causes such as a new detergent, but you’re likely to see the problem resolve itself quickly when you remove the irritant from your dog or cat’s common areas.
If the irritation is mild, you can try limiting allergen exposure, checking for fleas, and keeping your cat from scratching and biting his skin. Most mild itching isn’t an emergency, but sudden swelling, hives, or intense, nonstop scratching can signal an acute allergic reaction. If your cat is scratching so much that they’re breaking the skin, bleeding, or becoming distressed, don’t hesitate. It’s safest to head to an emergency vet. Human medications or topical creams/ointments may be unsafe for cats. Your dog and cat should also be on regular flea/tick preventative as well which you can get through your primary veterinarian.
Seasonal Allergies
Some dog and cats suffer allergic reactions from seasonal allergies, just like people do.
If you notice your pet getting sick (ear infections, licking or chewing at their feet, sneezing, etc.) around the same time every year or notice him sneezing more often when he’s been outside all day, there’s a chance he has seasonal allergies. It’s important to rule out other factors, however, as sneezing can also be caused by respiratory problems.
Acute Allergies
Dogs who have sudden allergic reactions to irritants have acute allergies. These are most commonly caused by insect bites or stings, but they may have other causes as well. You will often see facial swelling, vomiting, or even more severe signs of trouble breathing. They can even collapse if they undergo a true anaphylaxis reaction. A dog with a swollen face, ears, or eyes is suffering from an acute allergy, most likely an allergic reaction to an insect bite or sting.
Vaccinations: A dog or cat can develop an allergic reaction from a recent vaccine shot. While it’s important to get your dog or cat on a routine vaccination schedule, be on the lookout for any allergic reaction that might develop after a vaccine, like swelling at the injection site.
With cats, if you notice rapid eyelid swelling, severe redness, or discharge that appears suddenly after exposure to a new material (like a plant, cleaning product, candle, or insect bite), it’s time for emergency care. Swelling around the eyes can progress quickly, and you don’t want to mess with your cat’s ability to see. Common signs of an allergic reaction in your cat include: red, swollen, watery eyes, squinting or blinking. Other symptons include excessively pawing at his eyes or trying to rub his face on furniture or eye discharge.