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There are some foreign substances, namely antigens or allergens,  which can trigger various situations in which a cat’s immune system will go into a hyper drive and start producing allergic symptoms. When cats are allergic to a particular antigen, they will display common indications of this situation such as coughing and itchy skin. Also, diarrhea and vomiting can occur too especially in the case of a severe digestive allergy. Cats can be allergic to things they inhale, foods, fleas or something that comes in direct contact with them. For instance, a contact allergy may result into a localized reaction on the cat’s skin. In this case, the cat can scratch a lot and this may indicate the occurrence of an irritation right at the place of direct contact. However, most causes of contact allergies in cats are items that cats come in very close contact, things such as toys, bedding or flea collars. In the case of a contact allergy, the simplest and easiest cure is to have the contact removed. For instance, you will have to take your cat’s collar off or change her bedding in order to avoid further contact allergies. But if you notice that the cat’s irritation persists and you must provide her with an effective flea control, you should consult with your vet in order to find out more about the best cure in this particular case. Also, cats can develop allergic reactions to certain metals and plastics. For instance, if you suspect such an allergy in your cat, you should change her feeding bowl to a glass or ceramic one in order to avoid any further allergic reactions. Keep in mind that symptoms similar to allergic reactions may occur unless you rinse your pet completely and carefully after her bath. For instance, residual soap or shampoo on your cat’s skin is likely to cause dermatitis and this condition could easily be mistaken for a contact allergy/allergic reaction. Fortunately, contact allergies in cats belong to the least common category. On the other hand, flea allergies are quite common in cats. For instance, almost any normal cat is likely to experience irritation from repeated flea bites on a regular basis. However, a cat that suffers from a genuine flea allergy is likely to experience more severe scratching and itching reactions due to the flea’s saliva. A normal cat is likely to simply bite and scratch for just a while and then switches to doing other things while a cat that suffers from a genuine flea allergy will chew, scratch and even worry at that particular spot until a large amount of her fur is lost. The cat’s constant attempt to relieve the nasty irritation and maddening itch can result in open sores thus increasing the risks of getting a more severe infection. For instance, in most cats, the affected area is very likely to be right on their back and before their tail. Also, a cat suffering from flea allergy can have scabs or spots of sores on her head and neck too. Another type of allergy that can affect cats is the inhalant allergy – this type of allergy is even more common when compared to flea and contact allergies. In this particular case, your cat can be allergic to the same allergens you are allergic to. For instance, allergens such as dust mites, mildew, dust and mold can trigger allergic reactions in a cat. Photo: Flickr, http://www.flickr.com/photos/joxxsx/1349138716/
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