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Hay fever: otherwise known as allergic rhinitis, is an allergy in response to pollen, mould or dust. If you're a sufferer, you know how much the condition hurts. In severe cases, it can get debilitating.
The NHS estimates that around one in five humans suffer from the condition, so it's common in humans. But can cats get hay fever?
A short answer: yes, but it isn’t the exact same as us. Even so, as a cat owner, you should know what cat hay fever is, how it differs from humans, common allergens and preventative measures you can take.
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What's cat hay fever?
Technically it's the same as hay fever in humans. It's an allergic reaction that irritates the mouth, eyes, throat and nose. In cats we usually refer to this as allergic rhinitis.
What causes cat hay fever?
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It's a reaction to dust, mould and, usually, pollen. These act as allergens, which are substances that stimulate an allergic reaction. It's more common in spring and summer when plants pollinate.
Sufferers can be more susceptible to certain types of pollen than others. For example, some individuals will react more to tree pollen between March and May, or to grass pollen from June until late summer. Some pets may react to both.
Symptoms of hay fever in cats
Cats can suffer from hay fever in a similar way to us, but many with seasonal allergies will have itchy skin instead.
This means instead of coughing and sneezing, you're more likely to see them scratching and overgrooming.
Symptoms of hay fever can therefore include:
Behaviour changes
Coughing
Itching
Nasal discharge
Respiratory issues
Skin changes, like bald spots and sores
Skin irritation
Sneezing
Watery eyes
This list of symptoms isn't exhaustive and symptoms can get surprising.
Does my cat have hay fever?
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If your cat has a mix of the above symptoms, it can be easy to say they have hay fever.
But don't jump to conclusions: it's not possible to state exactly what's causing the allergy. You need a vet to confirm it. Your vet will also need to rule out other causes of illness like parasites or infectious disease.
There are a mix of diagnostic tests vets can use for allergies, including:
Blood tests
Elimination diets
Skin tests
If diagnosed, allergies will need a mix of treatment and preventative measures to control them.
Treatment options for cat hay fever
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For hay fever, treatment will depend on the allergy, its severity and your cat's overall health.
The first step is avoidance of the known allergen, if possible. Of course, with wider allergies like hay fever, it can get difficult to avoid pollen during the summer.
This is where treatment comes in. Options include:
Allergy medications - These relieve the symptoms of hay fever and offer short-term relief, so need to be given regularly. These include medications like steroids and cyclosporine.
Immunotherapy - Sometimes known as desensitisation, this involves giving your cat small doses of the allergen over time. Each time, the vet will administer slightly more to eventually bring resistance to the allergen.
Injections ( steroids) - These treat severe symptoms.
Natural remedies - Some owners have seen success from natural remedies like air filters and supplementing their pet with essential fatty acids (EFA’s) which can improve the skin’s barrier to allergens, as well as having anti-inflammatory properties.
Preventive measures
Preventative measures are the easiest way to control allergies like hay fever.
The first is to keep your home allergen-free and clean. But it's not possible to remove things like pollen from your cat's environment altogether. Keeping your cat indoors can help manage symptoms, but this is difficult if you don't have an indoor cat; it may cause them stress or anxiety.
But things like cleaning, wiping, dusting and sweeping the floors can remove pollen, alongside cleaning the spots your cat spends time in the most. Air filters can also help to reduce allergens in the home.
Alongside this: keep your actual cat clean. Groom them regularly, which helps remove pollen and other allergens from their fur. You could use a damp cloth to further remove allergens from their coat if they will tolerate it.
Assuming your cat likes spending time indoors, try to keep them inside during high-pollen seasons. You can see pollen count on most weather channels and websites.
Preventative pet care is one of the most important things you can do as a pet owner.
Living with a cat with hay fever
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We asked one of our vets about living with a cat with hay fever:
“If you suspect your cat may have hay fever or skin allergies, it is first important to get a definitive diagnosis from your vet. From experience, many other conditions can present with similar symptoms so these need to be ruled out"
"Once it has been established that your cat has allergies, you must work alongside your vet to keep your pet comfortable. For some cats, this means regular medication and checkups to keep their symptoms under control.
"There is no cure as such for allergies, but there are medications to help make them much more bearable. Your pet will feel much happier if they aren’t sneezy and itchy all the time”
“Allergy testing will be required to say for sure what it is your cat is allergic to, but general measures like keeping your home clean, grooming your pet regularly and using an air filter can be helpful in some cases, alongside any prescribed medications.
"If your cat has itchy skin, you may also want to consider a diet that is designed to improve skin and coat quality or use a pet-specific essential fatty acid (EFA) supplement.”
Common allergens for cats
For a top-level view, here are some environmental allergens that could be causing hay fever-like symptoms:
Indoor allergies
Dust
Household chemicals, like floor cleaner or air fresheners
Mould
Outdoor allergies
Grass (particularly grass seeds)
Pollen
Trees
Cats can also suffer from food allergies, though these are less common than environmental allergens.
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Understanding cat allergies
Cat allergies is a deep topic and it can get a little complicated. Your cat could potentially be allergic to anything, and symptoms vary widely.
Our cat allergies guide is there for you if you need help.
Remember: cat allergies can change over time
Like us, cats can develop hay fever over time and symptoms can get better too.
It's important to have an active discussion with your vet if your cat has allergies, as they can vary from season to season and year to year.
How cat insurance can help with allergies
Cat insurance can help you prepared for unexpected incidents like hay fever. It helps with up to £15,000 vet fee cover, unlimited 24/7 vet calls with FirstVet and a host of other perks.
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