Pets With Allergies

I've suspected for years that my cat, Shep, is allergic to fleas. When he was around two I noticed that the hair above his tail was beginning to fall out and he seemed itchier than the other cats we'd had. Now, at 12 years old, it's a cycle: his hair grows back in tufts in the winter, then as soon as the warm weather hits he's sporting a bald patch on his backside.

What I didn't suspect was how common animal allergies are.

A CNN article reports that about 10% of dogs have allergies. Unfortunately, there's not enough data on cats to make a determination about percentages who suffer from allergies, though we know that cat allergies do exist.

A common allergy in pets is to flea saliva. Dogs and cats can also have environmental allergies just like humans, to pollen and grass and mold, as well as to other environmental factors. Often allergies manifest themselves as vigorous itching,but they can also experience wheezing, coughing, runny nose, sneezing, or itchy, watery eyes, depending on the allergen or antigen.

What can you do for a pet with allergies?

There is currently no cure for allergies in humans or animals. In general, allergies are best managed by avoiding the allergen whenever possible. If your pet - or you! - has indoor allergies (such as to dust), vacuuming more often is a big help. Avoiding too much time outdoors if one of you is allergic to pollen or grass is a good strategy. Following a strict flea control plan is recommended for any pet, of course, and frequent baths help with skin irritation regardless of the allergen.

Contact your veterinarian if you suspect your pet has allergies. Depending on the severity they may be able to come up with a specific plan tailored to your pet's needs that will help lessen the symptoms of your pet's reactions and make him or her more comfortable.

For Shep, we are religious about his monthly dose of flea medication as the vet suggested, but there is no way he would ever go near a bath. The flea meds seem to help for the most part, as I no longer catch him trying to scratch off his behind. He doesn't seem to mind being partially bald for 8 months out of the year. In fact, he hardly even notices.