Perfect Cat Care

There are many people who are allergic to cat dander. But, did you know that cats also have allergies, too? There are numerous foods, household products and other items that cats can have allergic reactions to. It is estimated that at least fifteen percent of all cats in the United States suffer from some form of allergy. Cats who suffer from allergies can be treated in much the same way as humans.

Just as humans suffer different types of allergies, cats can also suffer from several types. For example, cats can have inhalant allergies, which are allergic reactions caused by airborne articles, such as pollen or household sprays or chemicals. These types of allergies can irritate the nasal passages, eyes and lungs. Cats can also have contact allergies that can be caused by prolonged contact with a certain substance. Food allergies and fleas are another cause for allergic reactions in cats.

Inhalant Allergies: Pollen and other airborne articles can cause allergic reactions in cats. Just as they do in people, airborne allergies can cause cats to sneeze and have runny, watery eyes. Cats can experience irritated nasal passages and upper respiratory problems. Common airborne articles that can cause reaction in some cats are household aerosols and sprays. Many people do not realize it, but spraying these types of products around some cats can cause breathing difficulties and eye infections. If your cat has these types of allergies, your vet will recommend that you keep the kitty indoors, away from pollen, and can prescribe medications to help with the reactions. For cats that have problems with the eyes, a prescription eye drop can be given.

Contact Allergies: Cats can have allergic reactions to items that they come in contact with. The most common form of contact allergies in cats is due to exposure to certain plants. These often include plants that have oily leaves such as rubber plants. Other forms for contact allergies in cats can include carpet cleaners or fresheners, wool, dust in the home, newsprint, house cleaners, carpet and even cat litter. Usually a cat that suffers from contact allergies will experience itching and discomfort on the skin. There could be skin eruptions, such as hives or bumps on the skin or dermatitis. In some cases, the fur could fall out causing dry, itchy patches on the cat’s skin. Usually, contact allergies that cause problem are more noticeable on the chin, ears, inner thighs, abdomen, and underneath the tail. If you suspect that your cat is experiencing contact allergies, the first step is to take your cat to the vet to determine the cause and course of treatment. The vet will usually recommend a skin patch test to determine the cause and prescribe a topical solution to help the itching. Sometimes, a steroid shot can be given if the case is extreme.

Food Allergies: Cats can be allergic to certain types of foods. While it is true that cats should never be given table foods, some cats can also be allergic to certain types of cat foods. Common allergies to foods are cat foods that contain certain poultry products such as turkey or chicken. Extreme caution should be used when feeding your cat table food. Cats should never be given chocolate and many times dairy products can cause problems with a cat’s digestive system. Prescription foods can be given to a cat that experiences food allergies.

Insect Allergies: Fleas top the number one list of what most cats are allergic to. These little biting critters can irritate your cat’s skin and can cause excessive itching and scratching. Some cats that are allergic to fleas will have patches of fur that fall out or small bumps on the skin. In addition, black “dirt� may be visible on your cat. This is a sign of fleas and your cat should be treated. If your cat has an allergic reaction to fleas, the first thing you must do it treat the allergies. You vet can prescribe medications or topical solutions to ease the itching and heal the skin. After this is under control, the next step is to treat your cat for the fleas. You vet can prescribe a good treatment that is given at intervals on the cat’s skin. Over the counter flea treatments often do not work as well as the prescription. Treating your home for fleas is also a must to ensure that they will not re-infect your cat.

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First of all: Cats can be major stinkers. We’re not talking about smell, but rather their “catty� behavior towards their humans. Cats believe they are superior to all other living things. Don’t you feel that sometimes they are just humoring us humans? Sometimes, their behavior can go to extremes and make us all crazy. Whether it is caterwauling, stalking, pouncing or displaying their dual personalities and schizophrenic tendencies, sometimes coexisting with your cat can be nerve-wracking and almost not worth the trouble. However, with a few basic tips, you can live with your cat peacefully. Ok, peaceful might be a relative term, but you get the idea!

Tip #1 – Take your cue from your cat. Many times, us humans do not know when to stop petting. Usually your cat will instigate a petting session, but they can only put up with so much petting and become over stimulated. Since they cannot turn around and tell us to back off, they let us know in their own way that “enough is enough� by nipping at us. This does not indicate that they are being malicious, but rather that they need their own time-out from the petting. By cueing into their behavior moments before they nip, you can avoid their sharp little teeth. Tensing of the body, tail flicking, and even pinned back ears are all signs leading to the cat’s nipping behavior.

Tip #2 – Stalking and pouncing are all part of a cat’s innate nature. Hunting and stalking prey are ingrained in their genes. That is just what cats do. Don’t take it personally when all of the sudden, out of nowhere, your cat decides you make for a fun plaything and pounce. Luckily for most cats, this playful aggression is just a phase that they eventually grow out of as they enter into their adult cat roles. It is up to you to know how to avoid conflict with your cat during these “playful� times. One way is to deflect this playful aggression away from you before it actually happens. Pay attention to where your cat is and learn the body cues that tell you when they are about to make their move. Another way is to divert their attention to another activity.

Tip #3 – Digging is another cat quirk ingrained in their genetic makeup. This quirk shows up predominately during bodily waste elimination. Just picture them in their litter box. They are always scratching around so that they can cover up their “evidence.� Cats also dig for recreation and can make short work of your garden or houseplants. It doesn’t pay to get upset with what is usually normal behavior for a cat. Instead fight back with citrus products. Cats absolutely hate any citrus smells – orange, grapefruit, lemons and limes. Bury the rinds from these fruits in the soil of your houseplants or outside in your garden’s perimeter.

Tip #4 – Scratching can be beneficial for cats. Using their claws offers up several benefits for cats. For one, scratching helps eliminate dead cells from the claws. Secondly, when cats claw on things, they are marking their territory, both in a visual and scented way. Cats need a sense of their own domain and clawing helps your felines feel more secure. Before scheduling surgery to remove their claws due to their destructive ways, you can help them by providing scratching posts and pads for their use. Use catnip as an incentive by rubbing it on the scratching post.

Tip #5 – All that meowing has a purpose. Sometimes, it seems that your cat’s mission in life is to drive you up the wall with all their caterwauling. However, all that vocalizing is how they communicate. And since we are mere human beings, we just don’t get what they are telling us. However, through a little trial and error, we can determine at least what some of that cat calling is all about. One of the reasons for the incessant meowing could be hunger or boredom. If there is no food in their bowl and it’s close to dinner time, put food in their bowl. If they shut up and eat, you got lucky and figured out that particular meow. Other times, all that meowing could mean that your cat is ready to mate or they are fearful of something. If there is a storm outside or one is about to start, that might be a good indication of why your cat is meowing.

Cats are complex creatures and these five basic co-existing tips aren’t even close to deciphering the moods and quirks of your feline. It could take a lifetime to figure it all out! However, just remember to take your cue from them and always assess a situation before administering punishment to your family feline.

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