Cats with allergies develop various health problems, including sleep deprivation, skin problems, and anxiety. Based on science, CBD for cats is a great treatment option because it targets inflammation and boosts your cat’s immune system response to allergies. There are two types of CBD for cats with allergies: cannabidiol treats and oils. Cannabidiol oils contain a hemp extract and other essential flavorings to make the product more effective and appealing to cats. On the other hand, CBD treats incorporate a hemp extract infused into a cat treat recipe. There’s a wide range of cannabidiol treats for cats; therefore, choose treats that won’t affect your cat’s digestive system.
What Causes Allergies in Cats?
There are numerous causes of allergies in cats, ranging from food to prescription drugs. Your cat can show an array of symptoms due to an allergic response, depending on the breed and immune system. Below are the top cat allergy triggers:
- Fleas
Some cats are more susceptible to fleas than others. Flea bites are never fun for cats because they cause significant flea allergies. Scientifically, flea allergy is termed as flea allergy dermatitis. It can cause an array of symptoms, including swollen areas, itching, hair loss, etc. A single flea bite can trigger allergic reactions. - Food
Food is the most common cause of allergies in cats. Although cats are carnivores, some are allergic to proteins, such as beef, fish, and chicken. Most cats become allergic to foods that they have never been exposed to before. For instance, if your cat has been consuming chicken, introducing fish can trigger an allergic reaction. - Flea Medicine
Flea medicine is designed to protect your cat against dangerous pathogens from mites, ticks, and fleas. However, these medications can cause allergic reactions in some cats. The allergic reaction can lead to muscle tremors, diarrhea, vomiting, hives, and itching. You should consult your vet before using flea medicine on your cat. - Litter
Some breeds of cats are prone to litter allergies. Therefore, if you notice your kitty coughing, sneezing, or suffering from runny eyes after using a certain litter box, switch it out. High dust content is the main culprit for allergic reactions. Invest in a litter box that produces less dust, especially if your cat is susceptible to allergy sensitivity. - Household Cleaning Products
Not all household cleaning products are safe for cats. Therefore, you should avoid products that contain toxic ingredients, such as phthalate, bleach, glycol ethers, ammonia, and formaldehyde. These ingredients can be found in dishwasher detergents, toilet bowl cleaners, laundry detergents, and carpet cleaners. - Prescription Drugs
Prescription drugs are among the main causes of allergies in cats. A veterinarian can prescribe various medicines, but your cat’s immune response to some medications can cause allergic reactions. On the extreme end of the spectrum, prescription drugs can lead to neurological issues, seizures, and even death. On the mild end of the spectrum, they can cause diarrhea and vomiting.
In addition, there are other causes of allergies in cats, including outdoor allergens, grooming products, etc. An allergy as a result of grooming products can present itself in the form of a rash, red skin, and other skin allergies.
What Are the Symptoms of Cat Allergies?
Cats with allergies often experience a skin reaction called miliary dermatitis. This condition causes rash-like and scabby lesions on your cat’s skin, particularly along the neck and back. Below are other common symptoms of cat allergies:
- Coughing and wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Sneezing or a stuffy/runny nose
- Chest tightness
- Hives and skin rash
- Red, watery or itchy eyes
- Facial pain, especially from nasal congestion
- Itching
- Skin irritations
- Inflammation in the throat
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Swollen paws
What Allergies Typically Affect Cats?
- Environmental Allergies
Cats are prone to environmental allergens, such as mold, pollen, trees, food and water bowls, grass, cleaning products, and detergents. According to research, signs, and symptoms of environmental allergies are seasonal. This is because flare-ups occur when there’s a high content of the allergen in the environment. These allergies can cause skin inflammation, itching, and other secondary skin infections. You can reduce the risk of environmental allergies by removing the trigger allergen from the environment. - Pathogenic Allergies
Flea allergies occur when the immune system of a cat reacts to the flea’s saliva. Some of the clinical signs of flea allergy are hair loss, itchiness, scabs, and skin redness. Scabs are common on the neck, head, lower back, and abdomen. Flea allergies are easily treatable with cannabidiol oil for cats. - Food Allergies
Certain foods can trigger allergic reactions in some cats. The main clinical sign of food allergies is constant non-seasonal itchiness. Food allergies may cause various gastrointestinal issues, including decreased appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss. The most common food allergies in cats include beef, chicken, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
How CBD Works as a Cat Allergy Treatment?
Cannabidiol attaches to receptors in your cat’s endocannabinoid system. There are two types of receptors: CB2 (found in the brain) and CB2 (found in the body). When your cat ingests cannabidiol oil or a treat, CBD affects the endocannabinoid system, which plays a significant role in maintaining your cat’s bodily functions, such as sleep, appetite, mood, and pain relief. The endocannabinoid system triggers major organs to control pain signals and the release of hormones. Based on science, CBD for cats can cause the endocannabinoid system to lower inflammation and restore balance in overstimulated, inflamed bodies.
Is CBD Oil Safe for Cats with Allergies?
CBD oil is an effective and safe treatment option for cats with various medical conditions, including allergies. It contains natural ingredients that show positive results for cats with various allergy symptoms, such as inflammation and itchiness. In addition, the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol can calm the immune response to allergens. It’s important to consult a veterinarian before introducing CBD oil to your cat.
CBD Cat’s Relief From Allergies
CBD for cats has potent anti-inflammatory properties, which calm the immune system response to allergens as well as relieve skin redness, inflammation, and other allergy-related symptoms. The right CBD product will treat various skin conditions on your cat, including dermatitis, that come as a result of allergic reactions. In addition, cannabidiol has antimicrobial properties. Note that microbes are the main culprits for food and environmental cat allergies.