Can allergies cause congestion in cats?

Cat Allergy Symptoms Highly sensitive people can develop symptoms, including breathing problems or a rash, within minutes of touching a cat or entering a house with a cat. Cat allergy symptoms may include: Sneezing or a runny or stuffy nose. Facial pain (from nasal congestion)

What can I give my cat for allergies and congestion?

If your pet has mild seasonal allergies without a skin infection, over-the-counter antihistamines might be an option for allergy relief. Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Zyrtec (cetirizine), and Claritin (loratadine) are commonly used allergy medicine for cats and dogs.

Why does my cat have a stuffy nose?

There are a variety of factors that can cause inflammation of your cat’s nose or nasal passages, leading to a stuffy nose. Common causes include allergies, tumors inside the nose, a foreign object lodged in the nasal passages, parasites, fungal infections, dental abscess, and bacterial or viral infections.

What are the symptoms of untreated cat allergies?

Fatigue is common in untreated allergies, as is an ongoing cough due to postnasal drip. But symptoms such as fevers, chills, nausea, or vomiting should be considered related to an illness rather than allergies. If you are cat allergic and cat allergens get into your lungs, the allergens can combine with antibodies and cause symptoms.

Can a person be allergic to the fur of a cat?

But contrary to what you might think, it’s not the fur or hair that’s the real problem. People with cat allergies are really allergic to proteins in the cat’s saliva, urine, and dander (dried flakes of skin).

Why do I have runny nose and allergies to cats?

In a person who has allergies, the immune system mistakes an allergen for something harmful and starts making antibodies to fight it. This is what causes allergy symptoms such as itching, runny nose, skin rashes, and asthma. In the case of cat allergies, allergens can come from your cat’s dander (dead skin), fur, saliva, and even their urine.

Cats with rhinitis often experience some degree of nasal discharge, sneezing and/or loud “congested” breathing. Some affected cats may paw at their face, have deformity of the nose or only be able to breathe through the mouth. Discharge may be from one side of the nose (unilateral) or from both sides (bilateral).

Can a cat with allergies go to the vet?

Cats with allergies are more likely to suffer skin trouble. You probably saw this coming: I recommend that you take your cat to the vet. Together you can work to determine whether her symptoms represent a serious problem. Photo: Juniper’s nose looks healthy.

What happens when a cat has nasal congestion?

According to one article on feline rhinitis by Dr. Donna Spector, DVM, Cats with rhinitis often experience some degree of nasal discharge, sneezing and/or loud “congested” breathing. Some affected cats may paw at their face, have deformity of the nose or only be able to breathe through the mouth.

Can a sinus infection in a cat cause skin problems?

Allergies, a leading cause of nasal problems in humans, rarely cause the same symptoms in cats. Cats with allergies are more likely to suffer skin trouble. You probably saw this coming: I recommend that you take your cat to the vet.