Allergies in cats are a condition that occurs when a cat suffers from a hypersensitive immune reaction to a specific type of allergen. In most cases cats experience allergies due to flea infestations or allergies to specific types of allergens which come into contact with the skin or are inhaled from the air. In rare cases cats exhibit allergies due to certain types of foods or food ingredients.
Allergies happen when the body is tricked into thinking that harmless particles are dangerous invaders. The immune system tries to get rid of these allergens by sneezing them out, flushing them out, and/or dislodging them. The best way to prevent allergies is to avoid coming in contact with the particles causing the allergic reaction.
Cats can suffer from a variety of allergies, just like people, but the symptoms of an allergic cat do not include sneezing and watery eyes. Most allergy symptoms in cats affect the cat’s skin, and the symptoms can often become so severe that the cat becomes extremely agitated and uncomfortable.