If you are a dog owner, you’re probably aware that our four-legged friends can suffer from a host of allergies, ranging from pollen to food. But can dogs be allergic to cats? You might have noticed your dog sneezes more often at a certain time of year, or gets itchy after eating a particular diet. These can both be symptoms of an underlying allergy. It may surprise you to find out that cats can cause allergies in dogs too.
Allergic skin disease is one of the most common reasons for owners to bring their dogs into the vet clinic and the underlying causes aren’t always easy to spot. Let’s take a look at how allergies work in dogs and how a cat allergy might be diagnosed and treated.
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What causes allergies in dogs?
The science of allergies is the same for humans and dogs. The immune system detects an allergen and tries to protect us from it by producing an immune response. It’s the body’s way of trying to clear out something that it thinks is bad. But it can be a little annoying, as it can produce some unwanted symptoms that interfere with daily life.
We don’t always know what makes an allergy occur; it is believed that some allergies may be inherited, as certain dog breeds appear to suffer more frequently than others. For example, West Highland White Terrier, Shar Pei, Bulldog and Pug are just some of the breeds suggested as being predisposed to allergic skin disease.
Is it common for dogs to be allergic to cats?
It is fairly rare for a dog to be allergic to cats, but it is possible. The canine immune system can overreact to substances that cats produce like dander (tiny scales from their hair or skin), saliva or urine.
Other common allergens include pollen, mites,
What are the symptoms of cat allergies in dogs?
The most prominent symptom of an allergy in dogs is of course, itching or ‘pruritus’. The itchiness then causes them to scratch or lick at themselves excessively, resulting in trauma and redness to the skin. Over time the skin can then become flaky, thickened or scabby. This might be in one specific area of their body such as the paws and tummy or all over (generalised). Other signs include hair loss, recurrent ear infections and even sneezing. A food allergy may less rarely cause gastrointestinal signs like vomiting and diarrhoea; but will often result in itchy skin too. If your dog is allergic to cats, you might notice them start to display these signs as they grow up together. Or they may develop them soon after a cat is introduced into their surroundings.
How are allergies diagnosed and treated in dogs?
A vet appointment will be the first step in getting to the bottom of allergy symptoms in your furry friend. Your vet will be able to fully examine your pet and take a detailed history from you to better understand their case. If your dog has developed any skin lesions, the vet will be able to evaluate these. They may recommend taking some hair or skin samples for analysis to rule out any parasitic or infectious causes. They may also recommend a food trial, allergy blood tests or an anti-itch medication to keep your dog comfortable if they are especially itchy.
This will usually take time!
Unfortunately, it is not often that we can provide a complete allergy diagnosis and treatment after one appointment. Allergy work-ups will often require multiple tests and vet appointments as well as regular communication with your vet to let them know how your pet is doing and how they are responding to treatment. It might take a few tries to get it right! Bearing in mind, this can mean allergic skin disease can become expensive to treat, as treatment is usually lifelong.
Further tests
Depending on which type of allergy your vet suspects your dog has, they may recommend taking some blood tests. There is a type of allergy blood screen that includes a test against cat epithelia (the thin tissue layer on the outside of the body). So it is feasible to diagnose a cat allergy this way. However, it is possible for dogs to be allergic to multiple substances and a positive cat epithelia test may be one of many positive results. These results can then be used to create an ‘immunotherapy’ where a small amount of the positive allergens are injected under the patient’s skin regularly in an attempt to desensitise them. This treatment obviously involves regular vet visits and is not always one hundred percent successful alone, with some animals requiring additional medications to manage their symptoms.
Sometimes allergies are a ‘diagnosis of exclusion’
This means that we have to exclude all other causes first before we can make a true diagnosis. No test is perfect. In some cases, we may never know exactly what the specific allergen is. But we can achieve successful control by avoiding the suspected culprit or administering medications to minimise symptoms. Most dogs with an allergy will live very happy, normal lives with the right management.
Treatment vs management
When we ‘treat’ an allergy we are not necessarily aiming to stop the immune response altogether, but reduce the symptoms of itching and inflammation. We can do this by giving medications that reduce the immune system reaction or completely stop the body’s itch response. Treatment of a cat allergy will be similar to that of any other. But therefore may include separating the animals as one of the options if medications don’t work.
If your dog develops recurrent ear infections as a secondary condition to an underlying allergy, it’s important to treat these separately too, as they won’t go away without direct treatment. Ear infections usually require regular cleaning and may even need antibiotic ear drops to resolve.
Other adjunctive treatments aimed at improving the skin barrier such as skin supplements and regular shampooing with special shampoos can be helpful in managing skin allergies. It’s also important to make sure your pet is receiving regular anti-parasite treatment if they are at risk of picking up
What should I do if I think my dog is allergic to my cat?
It’s essential to make an appointment to see your vet if you think your dog has any type of allergy, including one to cats. Allergies and skin problems can get worse if left untreated. And can be extremely uncomfortable for your pet if they are constantly itchy and scratching themselves. Your vet will be able to work through your dog’s signs with you and develop a diagnostic and treatment plan going forward.
Remember that no animal is the same. It may take some trial and error and a bit of patience to get your dog’s allergies under control. With good compliance and communication between you and your vet, allergy symptoms can be well managed, keeping both pets and humans happy.
Further Reading:
- Food and Skin Allergies in Dogs | Blue Cross
- Can Dogs Be Allergic to Cats | Central Broward Animal Hospital
- Skin: atopy in Dogs (Canis) | Vetlexicon
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