Are you a cat lover? Do you have at least one or even the whole cluster of kittens at home? Then, you know how much happiness and love they can give you. Especially when you live alone, and you need some company in the evening, after a busy and tiring day at work. Sitting comfortably in the armchair, or lying on the bed, you can play with your pet, forgetting about the whole world.
Although cats need some care since you have to feed them, take them for a walk, and entertain them, they are, generally, the cutest creatures under the sun. However, having a cat involves a huge responsibility, and you should bear it in mind when you decide to buy one, or take it from a pound.
Before doing that, you should properly prepare yourself for such a change in your life. The cat is like a new family member, and it needs a lot of attention. That’s why firstly, you should supply yourself with many necessities without which the cat can’t exist. It’s worth looking over large litter box reviews on the Internet, and buy one of such beds for your favourite. Also, you need to feed it with proper and tasty cat food. But, you should be careful because cats may easily develop allergies to some substances. Unfortunately, this problem has been recently touching more and more kittens.
Cat’s allergic symptoms
If you have a cat for the first time, you may not be aware, but these pets, similarly to humans, can have allergies. How can you identify them? Cats will show some symptoms, which for sure won’t escape your attention.
First of all, they will sneeze, cough, or even wheeze. As funny as it sounds, cats have strikingly similar symptoms as people. Moreover, they can start scratching themselves at their heads and necks because of itchy skin. If you also notice their runny eyes, there’s an alarm signal for you that something is going wrong. Other symptoms may include ear infections, vomiting, diarrheas, snoring, or even swollen paws. So, if you observe any of these things, you should consult your vet right off the bat.
The most common allergens
People frequently wonder and ask what could cause an allergy, whether an inappropriate diet or airborne and environmental substances. Actually, they can be both. There are many allergens responsible for allergies in cats.
If you feed your cat, for instance, with a big amount of chicken, it may be allergic to this food. If it spends a lot of time outdoors, it is more exposed to allergens transmitted by fleas and pollen allergies. What’s more, if you or somebody from your family is a regular smoker, your cat can even suffer from asthma because of the pervasive cigarette smoke, floating at home.
There are many different allergens that you aren’t even aware, and you can’t get rid of since they are an inherent part of our lives and environment. Among them, you can distinguish trees, grass, mildew, dust pollens, perfumes, or even some fabrics and plastic materials.
Treatment of cat’s allergies
However, if you’ve already diagnosed your cat with an allergy, now you can take some steps to treat it. How can you do that? Firstly, visit your vet, who will determine the source of your cat’s allergy. Only then will you be able to fight with it. It’s also recommended for your pet to take either a blood allergy test or a skin test. After that, you can introduce a special hydrolyzed protein diet for 12 weeks to be sure that your cat isn’t exposed to any potentially dangerous substances.
The best idea is also prevention. So, always check whether your cat hasn’t brought any fleas from the outside. If you want, you can buy some flea control products and apply them to the cat’s skin.
Choosing a litter box for your pet, remember about dust-free and unscented boxes. They are always a better option than scented litters with many chemicals, which may be the reason for your cat’s problems.
Since cats may shed, try to regularly clean their bedding and vacuum at least twice a week to get rid of their hair and dust, found on carpets, rugs, and curtains.
Another highly advisable thing is bathing your cat with a proper shampoo, which your vet can recommend to you.
Finally, if your cat has developed a food allergy, you don’t have any other choice but to establish an adequate diet for it. It should be done, of course, after the prior consultation with the vet. Then, try to prepare home-cooked meals, instead of giving your cat only canned and cat food.
Respecting all these rules, you should efficiently deal with your cat’s allergy, even if it seems to be unpleasant and problematic at first glance.