Hay fever and pollen allergy in cats

Pollen starts flowing in spring. Not just many people, but some cats are also allergic to pollen. Read here how to recognize hay fever in your cat and how you can help your pet.

Causes of hay fever

In spring, in particular, many allergic particles buzz in the air. These so-called “Allergens“It can be one for sensitive cats Excessive body reaction cause.

Substances that are harmless in themselves are classified as threatening by the immune system and adequate defense mechanisms called an allergic reaction.

Symptoms of hay fever

Hay fever manifests itself differently in cats than in humans. Usually it is one Atopic dermatitis, i.e. allergic skin inflammation if the cat has a pollen allergy.

Resolve these skin reactions severe itching up. In the affected areas the cat licks intensely, especially on the face, limbs and stomach. This will make the file Damaged skin barrier: Hair loss, inflammation and crusting occur.

Symptoms occur with a pollen allergy Seasonal up. Predisposition to such an allergy becomes mostly inherited.

Allergy leads to asthma

Cats are the only animals that – similar to humans – a allergic asthma can suffer. In asthma, allergens such as pollen trigger an immune system reaction where the Bronchial constriction convulsively.

It is about increased slime formation, to cough for example acute shortness of breath. Just like in humans, allergic asthma in cats is a chronic disease that requires lifelong treatment.

Hay fever therapy

First of all, the vet must all other causes for itching (parasite infestation) or breathing problems (bronchitis, pneumonia) to excludeto confirm that it is a pollen allergy.

Finding the responsible allergen takes a lot of detective work, it is it takes time and money. With a Blood analysis the sensitization of the cat to certain groups of allergens is measured. This is usually followed by a file Individual identification of allergens.

With hay fever it’s not that easy for the cat keep away from allergens. The vet will then treat the symptoms, i.e. skin inflammation, in most cases. It is doing it, for example cortisoneto relieve itching.

A so-called is also possible specific immunotherapy for allergens or Desensitization: The cat is injected with small amounts of the allergen at set intervals and the dose is slowly increased so that the body can get used to it.

The 3 best treatments

If your cat has hay fever, these three treatments can help relieve the symptoms.

As little contact as possible with the triggering allergen

• Don’t leave your cat outside if there is a lot of pollen
• ventilate only if there is a low concentration of pollen (city: 19:00 – midnight, countryside: 6:00
• Vacuum frequently and dust with damp cloths

Hypersensitivity by the veterinarian

• Substances that cause allergies are supplied to the cat in small quantities
• in the long run it leads to hypersensitization so that the body no longer reacts to the allergen
• Injections can also be administered by the cat owner

Medicines for pollen allergy in cats

• In consultation with the veterinarian, cortisone and antihistamines can help relieve the cat’s symptoms

Dangerous pollen

Pollen from some plants dissolves in cats hay fever is particularly common up. We have listed which ones belong to them in alphabetical order.

Ambrosia

• Low exposure: from mid-June to early August; From late September to late October
• Medium exposure: mid-August; Mid to late September
• Heavy load: mid-August to mid-September

mugwort

• Low exposure: from mid-June to early August; From the end of September to the end of October
• Medium exposure: mid-August; Mid to late September
• Heavy load: mid-August to mid-September

Birch

• Low exposure: from the beginning of February to the end of March; From the beginning of June to the end of August
• Medium exposure: from the end of March to mid-April; From late April to early June
• Heavy Load: Mid to late April

Nettle

• Low pollution: from early April to mid-May; From the end of September to the end of November
• Medium exposure: from mid-May to the end of June; From the end of August to the end of September
• Heavy load: from late June to late August

Beech tree

• Low exposure: from the beginning to the end of March; From late May to mid-June
• Medium exposure: early April; From late April to mid-May
• Heavy load: mid to late April

Oak tree

• Low pollution: from the end of January to mid-April; From early June to mid-July
• Medium exposure: from mid to late April; From mid-May to early June
• Heavy load: from late April to mid-May

alder

• Low exposure: from mid-December to early February; From late April to late June
• Medium exposure: from the beginning to the end of February; From mid-March to April
• Heavy load: from late February to mid March

Ash

• Low exposure: from mid-January to mid-March; From mid-May to mid-June
• Medium exposure: mid-March; Early April; From late April to mid-May
• Heavy load: April

Herbs

• Low exposure: from early March to mid-April; From late September to mid-November
• Medium exposure: from the end of April to the end of May; From mid-July to the end of September
• Heavy load: from late May to mid-July

Hornbeam

• Low exposure: from the beginning of February to the end of March; From mid-May to mid-June
• Medium exposure: early April; From late April to mid-May
• Heavy load: April

hazelnut

• Low exposure: from mid-December to mid-February; From mid-April to mid-May
• Medium exposure: from mid-February to mid-April
• Heavy load: from the end of February to the end of March

jaw

• Low pollution: from mid-March to the end of April; From early June to mid-September
• Medium exposure: from late April to early May; From late May to early June
• Heavy load: mid to late May

poplar

• Low exposure: from late January to mid-March; From the end of April to the end of May
• Average exposure: mid-March; Mid to late April
• Heavy load: mid-March to mid-April

rye

• Low pollution: from the end of April to the end of May; From late June to mid-September
• Medium exposure: end of May and end of June
• Heavy load: from late May to late June

Ribwort plantain

• Low pollution: from early April to mid-May; Mid to late September
• Medium exposure: from mid to late May; From early to mid-September
• Heavy load: from late May to mid-August

pasture

• Low exposure: from the end of January to the beginning of March; From late May to late June
• Medium exposure: from early to mid-March; From late April to mid-May
• Heavy load: mid-March to late April

React soon

It is important to look into the symptoms of hay fever in cats know and recognize soon. Severe itching is also very annoying for our cats, which is why treating the symptoms early can save the cat a lot of suffering.