Causes
Allergies are caused by an excessive reaction of the body to certain molecules (allergens) that can come from a variety of sources, including:
- Environment: grass, pollen, dust mites, household or garden chemicals
- External parasites: fleas, ticks, or mosquitoes
- Food allergies: protein sources
It can be quite a challenge for your veterinarian to determine the allergen that is causing the problem.
The skin barrier is essential to protect the body from allergens and allergic cats exhibit skin barrier defects. That's why it's essential to care for and protect the skin barrier. DOUXO® can help restore the skin barrier.
Signs
Some common signs of allergies include excessive itching, over-grooming, dandruff, crusts, lumps or infected or irritated areas.
Cats may exhibit miliary dermatitis, a feline condition where seed-sized crusts are distributed over the back of the cat. A particular type of lesion unique to the cat is eosinophilic plaque: it's a localized skin erosion. They are often observed on the abdomen or inside the thighs, and constantly licked by the cat.
Cats are experts at covering up health problems! Any change in your cat's general behavior, like over-grooming, may be the first indicator of an allergy. Regular brushing, especially long-haired cats, can help you spot problems early.