Do Cats Get Hay Fever? A Vet Explains Symptoms and Treatments

February is here, and for those who suffer from hay fever, it is starting to become that time of year again.

This winter in particular has been described as a mild one, and it is said that the pollen season is starting earlier than usual. While "hay fever" is something that is very unpleasant for humans, do cats get hay fever too? In this article, we will explain hay fever.

To begin with, what is hay fever?

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen. In humans, cedar and cypress pollen are common culprits.

Allergies are classified into types I through IV, and hay fever is classified as a type I allergy. A type I allergy is also known as an immediate-type allergy, where allergic symptoms occur within a few hours of the pollen entering the body.

To explain the mechanism of how an allergy occurs in simple terms: first, when pollen enters the body, cells in charge of the immune system are instructed to attack it. Upon receiving these instructions, antibodies (IgE) are produced. These antibodies (IgE) attach to cells called mast cells located in the body’s skin and mucous membranes, causing the mast cells to release substances related to allergies, such as histamine and leukotrienes. These substances cause itching, redness, and swelling of the mucous membranes. This is the underlying cause of the itchy, bloodshot eyes, nasal congestion, and sneezing that appear during hay fever.

Can cats get hay fever?

In the field of veterinary medicine, hay fever is classified as an environmental allergic reaction. Therefore, we do not call it "cat hay fever," but rather terms like allergic dermatitis. Allergic rhinitis, where symptoms such as eye and nasal irritation are strong as they are in humans, is not considered very common in animals.

Many cats kept as pets in recent years are kept entirely indoors, which is an environment where they are less likely to come into contact with pollen. However, they may still have an allergic reaction by coming into contact with pollen attached to their owner's clothes or bags. What is considered "cat hay fever" involves symptoms where pollen or other substances settle on the skin, causing redness around the eyes and ears, sneezing, or conjunctivitis.

Symptoms of hay fever in cats

Symptoms of hay fever in cats tend to manifest more strongly as skin issues rather than the rhinitis symptoms like sneezing and runny nose seen in humans. The symptoms of hay fever are as follows:

• Scratching or frequent licking
• Skin rashes
• Hair loss
• Redness around the eyes or ears
• Eye discharge
• Sneezing or runny nose
• Coughing

Because they react to specific pollen, there is a possibility of an allergic reaction to pollen if symptoms appear during the pollen season. However, as the pollen season also happens to be when external parasites like fleas and mites increase, it could also be allergic dermatitis caused by them; thus, you cannot definitively say "it's hay fever because they have these symptoms." An allergy test is required to diagnose hay fever.

How to deal with hay fever in cats

Dealing with hay fever is basically the same as it is for humans: it is important not to bring pollen into the house and to keep your cat away from it.

Brush off pollen from your clothes and belongings when you return home

When you return home, brush the pollen off your clothes, bags, and other belongings before entering the room to avoid bringing pollen into the house.

Use an air purifier

Some air purifiers have functions to capture pollen. Let the air purifier suck up any pollen that you couldn't shake off outside.

Clean frequently

Pollen brought indoors will fall onto furniture like sofas or onto the floor. Inhaling this pollen can trigger symptoms, so clean frequently to remove it.

Brush your cat frequently

Brush your cat frequently to remove any pollen that has settled on their fur.

Wipe the body with a wet towel

For cats that dislike brushing, it is a good idea to wipe their body with a wet towel to remove the pollen. Wiping them down can sometimes alleviate their symptoms.

Visit a veterinary clinic

Generally, hay fever is not life-threatening, but severe itching can be quite stressful for a cat. Furthermore, if infection occurs from skin that has been scratched raw, the symptoms will worsen even more. If your cat seems unwell even slightly, visit a veterinary clinic.

At a veterinary clinic, if an allergy is suspected, they may perform an allergy test to identify the causative agent. If pollen is determined to be the cause, you can take measures before the season begins.

Treatment for hay fever involves "symptomatic therapy" tailored to the symptoms. If itching is severe, steroids or antihistamines may be used to suppress the allergic reaction. If conjunctivitis is present, eye drops may be used. Some medications prescribed for humans at their own clinics cannot be used for cats, and the dosages differ as well. Please do not give your own medication to your cat based on your own judgment just because they seem to be suffering.

If they are scratching too much, they may need to wear protective clothing or an Elizabethan collar to prevent them from causing further injury.

Summary

The coming season can be very difficult for those who suffer from hay fever. While hay fever in cats is not very common, watching them scratch constantly is also distressing. We want to take measures so that both people and cats can spend their time comfortably. Let's take proper measures to get through this difficult season.