What are Pollen Allergies?
While initially, pollen allergies may pose only a minor inconvenience to your cat, if left untreated they may result in respiratory infections, colds, and other secondary conditions when the reaction becomes chronic, or long-term and repetitive, in nature. If your cat appears to be suffering from the symptoms of allergies you should carefully monitor the condition and schedule a visit to your veterinarian if the condition recurs or becomes overly disruptive to your pet’s daily routine.
Similar to humans, cats can develop allergies from inhaled substances, such as pollen. While food allergies are more common in cats, seasonal or year-round allergies due to pollen may also occur in your pet. This condition is most prevalent during the late spring, summer and early fall growing seasons, but may occur year-round in warmer climates.
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$500
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Symptoms of Pollen Allergies in Cats
While in most cats, pollen allergies will appear throughout their entire lives, some animals may not develop the condition until they are older. Each case of pollen allergies will be unique and symptoms will vary in severity. Common signs that may indicate your cat is suffering from pollen allergies may include:
- Scratching at eyes
- Watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Coughing or sneezing
- Orange discoloration around eyes
- Chewing on paws
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Ulcers or sores on skin from excessive scratching
- Lethargy
Causes of Pollen Allergies in Cats
An allergy response occurs when your cat’s body ingests, inhales or otherwise comes in contact with a substance that triggers an inappropriate immune response. Most cats can be exposed to normal environmental factors such as pollen or other inhalants without suffering any negative consequences. The immune response manifests as inflammation and excessive production of water and fluid as the body attempts to protect its various systems by encapsulating or flushing out the irritants. In some cats, pollen allergies may be hereditary, while in others the cause is of unknown origin.
Diagnosis of Pollen Allergies in Cats
Your veterinarian will need to conduct a thorough physical exam of your cat in order to accurately diagnose pollen allergies. Since most allergies present with similar symptoms, your vet will need to rule out other potential aggravating environmental, food or toxins they may have come in contact with. It will be important for you to provide your vet with a thorough physical and medical history of your cat. If your cat has recently had any changes in food, bedding or has been exposed to unusual chemicals, this information could help differentiate between allergies to pollen and something else. You should also document the progression of the symptoms, including whether your cat has always suffered from the condition and whether the symptoms improve or worsen at certain times of the year or after certain activities, such as being outside.
Next your vet will want to rule out common conditions that may have similar symptoms. These may include infections or minor colds. Your vet will collect a blood sample which will be sent to a lab to rule out the possibility of any serious systematic sickness. A blood sample can also identify the presence of certain antibodies that are indicative of pollen allergies. Skin allergy tests, similar to those in humans, are also available for cats. In these tests, your cat is injected with a tiny amount of many common types of allergens directly into the skin and then reexamined after several days to determine if any of the substances caused an allergic reaction.
Your vet may also take a small smear from the tissue inside your cat’s nose and mouth. This will allow them to analyze the cells for any inflammatory responses that would indicate allergies. In order to rule out allergies to other substances, your vet may order short term food trials. This will involve modifying your pet’s diet to special prescription foods that contain minimal ingredients in order to test whether food is the potential culprit.
Treatment of Pollen Allergies in Cats
Pollen allergies are usually treated either conservatively or with a variety of prescription medicines, depending on the severity of symptoms. If your cat suffers from mild discomfort seasonally, your vet may advise to keep your pet indoors in order to limit exposure to pollen. If your cat’s symptoms are severe, your vet may prescribe medicines known as antihistamines. These drugs act by inhibiting the immune response to allergens. Long-term use of antihistamines may result in your cat’s system adapting and the drug no longer being effective. They can also potentially impact your cat’s liver and kidney health.
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Recovery of Pollen Allergies in Cats
While there is currently no known cure for pollen allergies in cats, long-term prognosis for your pet living a long and healthy life is very good. If your cat’s condition is treated with medication, you will need to ensure they see a veterinarian regularly for follow-up tests and to have medications switched out if need be.
Pollen Allergies Average Cost
From 281 quotes ranging from $200 - $2,000
Average Cost
$500
Top
Pollen Allergies Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
House
Salame
4 Years
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
Hi! I have a 4 yr old black cat called Salame (we live in Italy).
Since I first had her, every year between the 25th of May and the 5th of June she’d start scratching like crazy at the back of her neck. Also every year punctually she gets these bald spots behind her neck (the vet thinks it’s because of the scratching), her fur comes off and she licks and scratches the spots to red raw bleeding skin. Before it gets to that it looks like dermatitis or hives with these swollen reddish lumps of about 7mm.
I’ve tried giving her “ribes pet” all year round (it’s homeopathic) but it doesn’t seem to be doing much. The patch is slightly smaller this year to be fair, but it still has come back, itching and bleeding as always. What could I give her to rid her of the dermatitis and alleviate the need to scratch herself to a pulp? Thank you!
June 6, 2018
5 Recommendations
The problem is that the best course of action is to usually remove the cat from the allergen or the allergen from the environment, both can be difficult if not impossible; there are different medications which may help control allergies, but without examining her I legally cannot recommend any specific prescription medication however cetirizine at 5mg per day (if it is an allergy) may help reduce the severity but results may vary. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 7, 2018
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Orange tabby
opie
3 Years
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Sneezing,
Sneezing. Congested
My two cats have both been sneezing a lot lately, since we moved into a new house about 2 weeks ago. Both still have high energy levels and are eating regularly. I'm assuming it's all the pollen flying around this time of year but just want to make sure there isn't more we should be doing/looking for as far as symptoms.
June 4, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
3 Recommendations
Cats are commonly affected by viral diseases, especially under times of stress, which moving can certainly be. If they are eating and drinking and seem fine otherwise, the infection may pass. if they are not improving, or they stop eating or seem depressed, it would be best to have the seen.
June 5, 2018
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Siamese
Sammy
7 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Sneezing, Itchy Nose
My 7 year old kitty has been sneezing up a storm for about 3 days. He will rub his nose while sneezing, and seems a bit lethargic. He's had this happen before, and I think it's just the allergies in the air from summer, but this time one side of his face swelled up slightly and he's got eye nasties. Just one eye though, the one on the side of the swelling. We had another cat who would go through this, but without the sneezing. We took him to the vet about two weeks ago for a different allergy. (An allergic reaction to flees, and the vet gave him a shot of allergy medication and stuff. We put all our money into that, so we can't afford to take him to the vet again this soon. I'm not to worried, but still not to sure what to do. In a bit I'm going to give him a warm bath, steam up the bathroom to see if that calms his itchy nose.
June 2, 2018
2 Recommendations
Allergies can be difficult to manage, however giving a little steam to Sammy may help loosen any mucus he may have. Also, cetirizine at 5mg per day (not per lb) may help with allergies and swelling; but if Sammy is on any other medication you should check with your Veterinarian first. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 3, 2018
Thank you so much! I gave him a bath and let him soak up some of the steam for about 10 minutes. I know he was doing better in the bathroom, but once I got him out he was sneezing up a storm again, and has been sleeping most of the day. He is definitely not a happy kitty right now. Still eating, drinking, and using the bathroom just fine though. He's not on any other meds. Not sure if you're able to reply back to this, but can I buy the cetirzine in store? Or is it something I have to get from my vet? If you don't answer I'll call up my vet on Monday. Thank you again for all of your help! :3
June 3, 2018
Sammy's Owner
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None
Heavner
13 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Coughing
My cat has been sneezing and coughing for a couple weeks I had just taken him to the vet a month ago for a physical and vaccines oh and a blood glucose test. All checked out fine. I know the allergies have really been bad here In Arkansas but he is a indoor cat only. He does set by the back sliding glass door all day.Should I wait longer or take him back to the vet he is 13. He still eats well and plays no lethargy.
May 15, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
If your veterinarian just saw Heavner a month ago, you may be able to call and ask what medications you may give if he is having allergies. If this coughing and sneezing is a new thing, they may want to see him to make sure that he is okay.
May 15, 2018
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Siberian
Sascha
12 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Eye Discharge
Closed Eyes
Eye Inflammation, Eye Ulcer
My cat suffers from very bad eye inflammation. he does not cough or sneeze, so vets always want to treat it as an infection. I was convinced it was allergy related, and eventually one vet gave him steroid drops which did work for a good while. Recently one eye flared up again and the steroid drops calmed it but his third eye was up. Vet found an ulcer in his eye and said that is why the steroids were not working. Soon after, his other eye became very inflamed. I have 2 house cats .. they do have a catio which is open to the fresh air. My garden is full of shrubs and trees. I initially thought the allergy was caused by cat litter, scratching posts etc, but now I am thinking it is most likely pollen. Sascha is having eye drops 8x a day. Have kept both cats completely indoors for the last 3 days and Sascha's eyes are much improved. Seems I will have to keep him in the house with windows and doors closed, and no access to fresh air at all.
Pollen Allergies Average Cost
From 281 quotes ranging from $200 - $2,000
Average Cost
$500
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
