Can Dogs Be Allergic to Cats? Facts & Health Tips (Vet Answer)

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Written by

Dr. Marti Dudley

Veterinarian, DVM

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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If your dog is showing signs of itchiness, sneezing, or coughing, they may be experiencing allergies to something within their environment. Some dogs may have allergies to mold, grass, or maybe even parasites. But what about other animals? Is it possible that your dog could be allergic to your beloved cat?

The answer is yes, dogs can experience allergies to cats just like their human counterparts. Continue reading below to learn more about cat-induced allergies in dogs.

What Is An Allergen?

An allergen is a substance that causes an immune reaction within the body. Clinical signs of allergies depend on the type of allergen and the severity. Signs of allergies can include itchy skin, diarrhea, sneezing, coughing, conjunctivitis, and several other symptoms. Dogs suffering from cat allergies typically experience itchiness when the allergens penetrate damaged skin.

Testing for Allergies

Fortunately, there are ways to determine what allergens your dog is sensitive to. This is most often done through blood tests or dermal skin testing. With dermal skin testing, specific allergens are injected into the skin of a sedated dog. The skin is evaluated for signs of reaction, which may include swelling and redness.

Alternatively, when blood testing is done, a sample of your dog’s blood is submitted to a laboratory. Once at the lab, different allergens are introduced to the blood, and antibody levels (IgE) are obtained. If antibodies are high, or if the skin shows signs of inflammation, it is assumed that the associated allergen is problematic.

How to Treat Allergies

Unfortunately, allergies cannot be cured, but they can be managed. Patients often experience relief of allergy signs using immunotherapy, antihistamines, steroids, and immunomodulators. Your veterinarian will be able to provide recommendations and guidance on the different treatment options available.

In the case of allergies against cats, immunotherapy may be beneficial. Dogs that are allergic to cats are likely sensitive to other allergens as well. Once problem allergens have been identified through blood or dermal testing, a serum formulation is created containing problematic allergens. The serum is then administered to the patient according to a particular schedule.

The goal of this type of therapy is to desensitize the patient’s body to the problematic allergen to reduce the dramatic allergic reaction induced by their immune system.

How Can I Keep My Pet Healthy?

If it has been determined that your dog does have allergies to cats, a few things can be done within the household to reduce the allergen burden.

Cat allergies are common in humans and typically occur secondary to a particular allergen called Fel d1, which is found in the saliva of cats. The allergen is then passed to the fur by grooming, and then the dander and allergen are distributed within the environment.

There is a diet designed to minimize the problematic cat allergen developed by Purina Pro Plan called LiveClear. The diet is fed to the cat and, on average, it reduces the Fel d1 allergen by 47%. It is unknown at this time if this diet would benefit dogs who struggle with cat allergies, but it may be reasonable to try.

Conclusion

Allergies in pets manifest in dogs similarly as they do in people. It can be difficult to see your pet struggle with allergies, especially if your dog is allergic to your beloved cat. Although allergies cannot be cured, several different modalities can be utilized to lessen irritation in your dog.

Contact your veterinarian if you feel that your dog is suffering from allergies, as they will be able to diagnose your pet and provide you with treatment options.

See Also:

• Can Cats Be Allergic to Dogs? Science-Based Facts & FAQ
• Can Dogs Be Allergic to Gluten? Vet-Reviewed Signs & Diagnosis

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