The cat is allergic to litter - Allergy to everything

Pet owners often make the mistake of mistaking a sudden runny nose for a reaction to their beloved pet. This symptom is characteristic of an allergy to the filler. People of any age can have a reaction to litter and cage mixture. It is important to identify the allergen in time and replace the mixture.

Symptoms of an allergy to filler

Babies are most sensitive to fine dust. Granules of mineral and wood litter for animals can cause rhinitis in children. Particles that remain in the air when the mixture is poured into a tray can trigger bronchial asthma.

Adults are less sensitive to stimuli. But they may also be allergic to the absorbent granules. It manifests itself with several symptoms:

• runny nose;
• frequent sneezing;
• tearfulness;
• skin rashes, itching and peeling;
• stool disorders.

If you have a severe allergy to cat litter, swelling may occur.

Breed predisposition to allergies in cats

Is there a cat breed that does not suffer from allergies? Unfortunately no. Allergy is a disease that affects regardless of breed, age and gender. But, there are certain risk factors that can increase your cat's likelihood of developing allergies. These are overweight pets, smoking owners (such cats often suffer from asthma and problems with the respiratory system), animals that have the opportunity to spend a lot of time outdoors - may suffer from allergies to pollen and insect bites...

And, here are felinologists - they believe that

How to determine what caused the reaction

Sometimes when a pet appears in the house, family members develop allergies. Reactions to animal hair, skin secretions and saliva are common. Its symptoms can easily be confused with an allergy to the filler. There are several ways to determine what causes unpleasant symptoms:

1. Find out where the reaction is most pronounced. If you are allergic to the litter, symptoms appear when changing the mixture, as well as near the animal’s toilet.
2. Find out at what point the first signs of illness appeared. An allergic reaction may occur several weeks after purchasing a new litter tray.
3. Temporarily remove your pet. If the animal has recently appeared in the family, you can take it to another place for a few days. After this, do general cleaning and disinfection. If it becomes easier to breathe without a pet, the problem may be an allergy to the pet itself.

If you suspect an allergy to cat litter in a person, you can completely avoid the mixture. To do this, it is worth training the animal to relieve itself on the grid of the tray. It can take anywhere from a few days to a week to train a cat.

How to treat each type of allergy in cats. Prevention

Try to reduce the risk of your animal coming into contact with potentially dangerous allergens. Vaccinate your animal in a timely manner, treat it against external and internal parasites (find out about worms in cats), follow a balanced and healthy diet, give vitamins, do not ignore any changes in the cat’s behavior, and always try to find an explanation or reason for them. About the strange behavior of cats.

The health of our pets is not in their paws, but in our hands.

Video about allergies in cats

Today we talked about allergies in cats, what they are like, what they can cause, what their symptoms are, how to treat them and prevent their occurrence. We hope that our tips will help protect your cat from this disease.

We will also be interested in your stories - do your cats suffer from allergies, what are they allergic to, how do you treat allergies in your pet.

We suggest you familiarize yourself with Vallisneria, how to grow it in an aquarium, how to keep Vallisneria species

Causes of allergies

Pet litters contain allergenic substances that provoke various reactions. These include:

1. Bentonite. This is a clay material that is used as a base for clumping fillers. The mixture consists of granules of different sizes. Pet owners often use bentonite litters, as they are economical and absorb moisture well. When the composition is poured into the tray, dust rises. Small particles of bentonite can cause an allergic reaction.
2. Silica. A chemical compound in crystal form is used for silica gel fillers. The colorless granules absorb moisture and are suitable for cat litter boxes. Silicon dioxide is used in food and cosmetics and is safe for humans in small doses. Allergies to the substance are rare.
3. Zeolite. The volcanic mineral is a porous granule into which liquid easily penetrates. Zeolite retains moisture and unpleasant odors. But due to the porous structure, many small particles are released when using toilet filler. People who suffer from dust allergies may have a reaction to zeolite.
4. Wood shavings. The natural mixture does not guarantee safety during use. An allergy to wood filler can occur due to resin residues, which release a toxic substance - formaldehyde.
5. Flavors. If you are highly sensitive to odors, it is advisable to choose fragrance-free fillers. Strong synthetic fragrances can cause sneezing and a sore throat.

If you are allergic to the filler, it is advisable to purchase a different type of mixture. For example, silica gel compositions may be preferred to mineral ones. When choosing which filler will not cause allergies, you should carefully study the composition on the packaging.

Rules for choosing cat litter

A good product should eliminate the smell of cat feces and absorb moisture. It helps keep the house fresh and clean by preventing dirt from sticking to the paws. There are several types available, each with pros and cons:

1. Paper. This option has many advantages. It has a hypoallergenic, safe composition and high absorbency. The paper also does a good job of eliminating odors. It is highly biodegradable.

The disadvantages include the high price and small range. Performance characteristics are lower than the silica gel analogue.

1. Corn. The absence of dust and flavors has made the corn product the safest for people and animals prone to allergies. The downside is high consumption and easy spreading.
2. Silica gel. Quite an expensive option with good absorbent properties. For allergy sufferers, it is better to choose the option without added flavors.
3. Woody. The wood product is popular. Doesn't absorb very well, but has an affordable price and eliminates odor. The presence of resins and small debris carried around the apartment often causes allergies.
4. Clay and mineral. Despite the natural composition, large amounts of dust can cause allergies. Doesn't do a good job of removing cat odors.

The choice remains with the owner of the animal. Based on your preferences, financial capabilities and health status, you can enjoy the benefits of any type of filler.

How to choose a hypoallergenic mixture

When reacting to dust, it is better to use a crystal-based tray composition. Allergies to silica gel filler are extremely rare. You should choose packaging without additional flavorings.

Corn litter for hamsters is safe for allergy sufferers. It is environmentally friendly and retains unpleasant odors for a long time. This filler is suitable for rodents of any type. For rabbits, you can also use a mixture of corn cobs, as it does not stick to the animal's fur or paws.

In pet stores you can find innovative hypoallergenic fillers that are more expensive than popular analogues. In Japan, they created a mixture based on cypress, starch, paper and soy. The package costs three times more than regular wood mixture. But it is completely safe for human health.

Treating allergies at home

Allergy in cats is a rather complex disease, and in modern times the increase in this disease is visible. Veterinarians sounding the alarm explain this for various reasons:

1. The deterioration of the environment has not ignored the health of cats.
2. Genetic predisposition. If there were allergy sufferers in your pet’s family, then it will not be a surprise to find an allergy in your cat.
3. Decreased immunity due to frequent diseases in cats.
4. Low quality food.

We suggest you read: How to choose the right open litter box for a cat

Relieving itching

How to relieve symptoms

The reaction to an irritant can be weakened if medications are used in a timely manner. Symptoms are relieved with the help of antihistamines (see “Antihistamines in the treatment of allergies: mechanism of action and classification”). The medicine should be taken at the first suspicion of an allergy. If swelling appears, you must call an ambulance.

Skin itching is relieved with the help of special creams, ointments and gels. Non-hormonal drugs can be used without a doctor's prescription. They cool the skin and relieve inflammation. Hormonal ointments are prescribed at an appointment with an allergist.

If stomach pain and stool disturbances occur as a result of an allergy, it is recommended to consult a doctor. He will prescribe antidiarrheal medications. Treatment can be combined with a course of probiotics. They will help restore the intestinal microflora.

Important! If you have an allergic reaction to the filler, you should avoid contact with the granules. The mixture should be in an airtight container. You should wet clean the entire apartment and ventilate the storage area of ​​the tray. After using the toilet, cats need to wash their paws thoroughly, as the remains of the granules can get stuck in the cat's claws.

Substances that often cause allergies

To find out what causes a cat's allergies, you need to observe your pet. This disease occurs in response to any type of substance that leads to an allergic reaction in the body. Often the causative factors are:

1. Secretions of salivary fluid from blood-sucking insects, for example, mosquitoes, fleas.
2. Dust found in the home environment.
3. Helminths.
4. Plant pollen.
5. Medicines.
6. Ingredients included in cat food.
7. Nowadays, the body's reaction to flea collars has become very common. Manufacturers use toxic drugs whose purpose is to repel fleas, plus essential oils are added to them. If the owner is wearing a flea collar for the first time, then at first it is necessary to be more attentive to the pet. The collar should be put on the pet only a week after the cleansing procedure has been carried out. Otherwise, the animal’s toxic level will exceed all permitted standards.

Cats diagnosed with atopic dermatitis are not recommended for procreation, as similar problems may arise in the offspring.

Treatment

You can cope with allergies only if you limit contact with animal litter. Many accompanying factors can aggravate a person’s condition:

• presence of animals at home;
• dry air in the apartment;
• aggressive household chemicals;
• a lot of upholstered furniture and carpets that collect dust.

Daily cleaning and an air purifier will help reduce symptoms. During treatment, you can transport the animals to friends.

Drug therapy

Allergies are treated in several ways:

1. Antihistamines. They are prescribed during periods of exacerbation of allergies. They relieve symptoms, but are not able to completely cure a person.
2. Decongents. These are vasoconstrictors that make breathing easier.
3. Corticosteroids. Hormonal drugs are prescribed for severe allergic reactions that pose a threat to life.
4. ASIT. This is a specific immunotherapy in which a person is injected with an allergen in small doses (see in more detail “The effectiveness of using allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) in the treatment of allergies in adults and children”). Thanks to this, the body begins to get used to the irritant and unpleasant symptoms do not occur.

After ASIT, a person can forget about allergies for a year or more, and in some cases it is possible to completely cope with the disease.

Folk remedies for treating allergies

Nasal congestion, itching and sneezing are relieved by inhalation. You can quickly relieve an unpleasant symptom using ordinary water vapor. To do this, pour boiling water into a bowl and bend over it. To contain steam, it is advisable to cover yourself with a towel. Inhalation is carried out for no more than 10 minutes. You need to act carefully so as not to get burned. To improve the effect, you can add eucalyptus essential oil to the water.

If your eyes are watery due to allergies, you can relieve the irritation with a decoction of chamomile. To do this, you need to brew the flowers of the plant and blot cotton pads with the liquid. The compress is applied to the eyes for 15 minutes. You can quickly relieve pain in the eyes with a towel dipped in cold water.

Skin irritation will decrease if you take a bath with the addition of a herbal decoction. Anti-inflammatory plants include:

• pharmaceutical chamomile;
• series;
• oregano;
• nettle;
• Bay leaf.

Green tea will provide quick relief from an allergic reaction to the filler. It will help relieve the symptom if you don’t have an antihistamine on hand. During an attack of allergic cough, you can drink herbal tea from the series.

An allergy to pet litter can manifest itself in a variety of symptoms. To alleviate the condition, you need to replace the mixture with a hypoallergenic composition as quickly as possible.

Why does it occur

An allergy is a negative reaction of the immune system to a substance that does not cause any changes in the condition of a healthy person. While the antibodies produced by the immune system try to cope with the problem, the cells of the substance that caused the negative reaction contribute to the occurrence of itching, runny nose, cough and other symptoms.

Contrary to popular belief, an allergy to cats does not occur because of their fur - even completely hairless Sphynx cats can make them sneeze and itch , including if they are not touched with hands. Animal hairs are only a good carrier of the real threat - the protein produced by the sebaceous glands. In addition, the allergen is found in saliva, urine and dander (dead skin cells of the cat).

Allergic reactions, including those to animals, have not yet been fully studied by doctors, so some facts have to be taken for granted. Allergies can develop in a person of any age, but most often children are susceptible to this due to a weak immune system. As you get older, the likelihood of this happening decreases.

Interesting! Often, a cat allergy goes hand in hand with a reaction to dust, pollen or mold.

Cat allergies are often hereditary. If one of the parents or other blood relatives could not be in the same room with animals, then there is a high probability that the child will have the same intolerance. Therefore, before getting a cat in a house where there are children, you need to make sure that they do not have allergies.

Features of allergy diagnosis

The diagnosis of “allergy” can only be made by a veterinarian after a personal examination and interview with the animal owner. This disease very successfully disguises itself as many other infectious and internal non-communicable diseases, so only a specialist will be able to differentiate one from the other.

As a rule, cats are not subject to allergy testing. The process is quite expensive and not always informative. Usually performed under general anesthesia, because It is impossible to introduce up to 20 allergens intradermally to an animal without additional effort.

There are also no special tests for mustachioed pets, and in practice human test kits are used. Considering the peculiarities of the course of allergic reactions in humans and cats, the likelihood of false results is also very high.

Determining the source of an allergy is carried out exclusively experimentally by the method of exclusion. In this case, all potential allergens are consistently excluded from the cat’s environment until the true cause of the body’s increased sensitivity is identified. This method works great for food allergies.

With seasonal allergies, the source of the reaction is often not looked for at all. If it is noticed that signs of hypersensitivity to something appear once a year for a certain period, then for this period of time it is enough to give antihistamines until the allergen disappears on its own after this period.

Should I keep a pet?

If the options for treating cat allergies have been exhausted, then the surest way to protect yourself from a negative reaction is to avoid contact with animals. Even if you really want to bring home a fluffy purr, you shouldn’t stress either yourself or her, because there is a chance that you won’t be able to come to terms with the allergy, and the cat will have to look for a new home.

If the family already has a four-legged friend and the reaction appeared suddenly, although it had not happened before, then you should think about giving the cat to friends or finding new owners. Cat allergies are not always curable.

It is unlikely that it will be possible to completely cope with the problem; to do this, you need to walk around the house in a chemical protective suit. If there is no way out, and you need to leave the animal, at least for a while - until you find out whether it is possible to permanently cure an allergy to cats in your case - then the following measures may partially help:

• do not touch the cat with bare hands;
• carry out wet cleaning every day with cleaning products to remove animal hair and dander;
• once a week, disinfect the room with a bleach solution;
• change cat litter using gloves and a medical mask, and it is better to entrust this task to someone who does not have allergies;
• do not allow the cat to enter the room where you spend the most time, and also do not allow the cat to jump on the bed;
• Constantly ventilate the room, use a fan and air conditioner;
• use a special shampoo for cats against human allergies, and you will have to wash your pet regularly;
• remove all carpets from the room;
• castrate or neuter an animal.

These measures will not help get rid of allergies to cats, but they allow you to reduce its manifestations to a minimum, and for some people whose negative reaction of the body does not manifest itself too clearly, they make it possible to freely keep a cat in the house.

It is impossible to say for sure whether it is possible to get rid of an allergy to cats. Therefore, before purchasing a pet, you need to undergo an examination, otherwise there is a risk of not only becoming a frequent visitor to the doctor, but also breaking the heart of your furry friend, who will have to be given to other owners.

The immune system of the cutest pets, cats, is structured almost the same as the human one. Therefore, they are not protected from “human diseases”, such as allergic reactions. Moreover, cats are much more susceptible to the disease. Therefore, this issue cannot be ignored.

Allergies in cats appear to allergens from the external and internal environment. As soon as a dangerous substance enters the body, the immune system begins to fight it. As a result, allergic reactions occur. They are in many ways similar to the immune response of the human body and cannot be confused with another disease.

Animals react to almost all allergens very quickly; it will not be difficult to determine what exactly caused the negative reaction. In some cases, it can be difficult to understand, since a new product is introduced or a houseplant appears one day. There are many factors that provoke the body's immune response.

The main cause of allergies in pets is an imperfect immune system. Genetic predisposition is also of great importance. When purchasing the breed you like, it is worth clarifying this information. There are a huge number of factors leading to the problem. It could be:

• household dust;
• plant pollen;
• Food;
• own excrement;
• worms and so on.

Especially often the animal suffers from blood-sucking parasites, external irritants and food. Sometimes it can be very difficult to identify the cause of the problem if household items are to blame. Animal care products often cause severe allergic reactions.

1. Skin allergies. Occurs only in case of direct contact of the body with the allergen. You can notice it in open areas, such as ears, armpits, and paws. Often the rash appears on the stomach, causing a lot of painful and unpleasant sensations.

2. Household chemicals. Provokes the appearance of allergic reactions, since they are very sensitive to substances of this type. Dust, pollen, and care products no less often lead to allergies. The danger lies in the fact that in this case it is almost impossible to determine the element that is aggressive for the animal. Therefore, you need to be prepared to support your pet for life with special medications. 3. On a flea collar. Another fairly common type of problem. Almost all collars are made with the addition of chemicals designed to repel or poison parasites. Naturally, the cat’s immunity will react negatively. There are collars without chemical elements and containing essential oils. But they cannot guarantee safety, since these elements are considered strong allergens.

4. On the filler. There are several types of litter, each of which can cause an allergic reaction. Fillers are divided into types:

If, after changing the litter, your cat notices a rash or inappropriate behavior, you should contact a veterinarian. In this case, be sure to indicate which filler you used. There is no treatment as such in this case. You just need to change the filler, it is advisable to use odorless. Wood shavings practically do not cause allergies.

5. For food. Experts emphasize that this type of allergy is the most common. In some cases, pet owners confuse an allergic reaction with intolerance to a particular product. It is quite easy to distinguish between these problems. If the animal's body does not tolerate a certain product, nausea and diarrhea will appear.

In the case of an allergy, the signs will be quite serious, for example: the cat will begin to itch very much, a rash will appear, and so on. In addition, the symptoms can be so severe that they lead to serious consequences.

The most common foods that cause allergies are:

• milk and soy based;
• protein foods, meat or fish;
• seafood.

Signs of allergies can vary significantly among individual animals. This depends not only on the type of allergic reaction, but also on the breed of the cat. It should be noted that hairless breeds are more susceptible to allergic manifestations, since their delicate skin is not properly protected.

The clinical picture largely depends on the allergen and the route of its penetration into the body. For example, if the animal's skin has been in direct contact with an aggressive substance, a rash will appear first.

Allergies in cats: symptoms

If an allergen penetrates through the respiratory system, then most often it is they who suffer. This manifests itself as follows:

• frequent sneezing;
• severe runny nose;
• dry cough.

When ingested with food, through the mucous membranes, the following begins:

• tearfulness;
• swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes;
• redness of the mucous membranes of the mouth.

Manifestations of allergies in some breeds can be much more serious, including anaphylactic reactions. It depends on what caused the indignation of the immune system. This often happens when using medications. This type of allergic reaction is especially difficult because the help of a qualified specialist is required immediately.

Important: to significantly reduce the risk of developing allergic reactions, you must take basic precautions. For example: it is better not to use a collar at all, but simply periodically treat the cat with special means.

You should carefully choose your animal's food, as well as fillers and toys. Toys sometimes also lead to allergies, especially those of dubious quality. In any case, if a problem appears, there can be no talk of any self-medication. The animal must be examined by a specialist, prescribed tests, examined, and only then recommended specific therapy.

Therapeutic measures directly depend on the type of allergen and the clinical picture of the disease. For example, food allergies do not require the use of any medications in most cases. After the allergen is identified, the doctor recommends a diet.

At the same time, a person should under no circumstances deviate from the recommendations, no matter how much one would like to please the cat with a treat. Products to which a negative reaction has occurred are completely excluded from the diet.

If the animal is injured by the filler, it must be replaced. Positive results are only possible if the animal is maximally protected from exposure to any type of allergen. It is not always possible to get rid of some things that cause allergies. Then you will have to periodically take allergy medications.

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When mucous membranes are affected, drugs containing steroids are often prescribed. They help effectively relieve swelling and make breathing easier. Skin symptoms are eliminated using external means: cream, ointment, and so on. It is highly undesirable to choose drugs in this category on your own. You can seriously harm everyone's favorite.

Antihistamines are often required, especially if the reactions are very severe. In this case, the dosage and duration of administration should be strictly observed. You cannot replace medications yourself with cheaper ones. This will also have a negative impact on the animal.

Allergies in cats involve taking complexes to strengthen the immune system. A strong, properly functioning immune system will prevent an allergic reaction from developing. The recovery process will be much faster.

If an animal eats industrially produced food, you need to carefully choose it. It is advisable that your veterinarian recommend this diet. If you are allergic to pollen from indoor plants, you will have to get rid of them. In addition, it is necessary to keep the house clean and dust more often.

Carefully clean and wash the cat's sleeping place. Air humidification helps well during the treatment process. Animals, just like people, need optimal temperature and air humidity. If you follow all the advice of a specialist, curing your pet will not be difficult.

• nasal congestion;
• itching around or inside the nose;
• runny nose;
• sneezing;
• dry mucous membranes.