Category: Ask A Vet

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Can You Be Allergic to Cats but Not Dogs? (Vet Answer)

Every pet owner loves a cuddle with their furry friend. But what happens when this cuddling (or patting, or grooming) causes you to have a flare-up of allergy symptoms? This could mean you have a pet allergy—they’re surprisingly common.

It is possible to be allergic to cats but not dogs. The reverse is also possible: being allergic to dogs, but not cats. However, people who are allergic to cats are more likely to be allergic to dogs, and vice versa. Let’s explore why pet allergies occur, and some things that can be done to manage them.

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What is a Pet Allergy?

Pet allergies are not too different from other allergies, such as those caused by nuts or dust. An allergy occurs when your body’s immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance. Your body thinks that the substance might be harmful, even though it’s typically harmless.

When we think of pet allergies, we usually think of dogs and cats. These allergies are the most common, but dogs and cats are also the most common household pets. In fact, people can be allergic to rabbits, guinea pigs, horses…just about any species of animal!

Contrary to popular belief, most pet allergies are not actually caused by fur or hair. Instead, most allergies are caused by “dander”, saliva, and urine. Dander is the layer of dead skin cells at the surface of the skin, containing certain protein molecules that the body reacts to.

Some pets also carry dust, mold, and pollens in their coat, especially if they spend lots of time outdoors. Occasionally, “pet allergies” are not triggered by the pet at all, but by the dust and pollen within the hair coat.

Why Can I be Allergic to Cats but Not Dogs?

Dogs and cats secrete different proteins (“allergens”) in their dander, saliva, and urine. There is lots of variation in these allergens both across species (i.e. between dogs and cats) and within species (i.e. some cats or cat breeds have different allergens from other cats).

For these reasons, being allergic to cats does not necessarily mean that you’ll automatically be allergic to dogs. Similarly, you might be allergic to some dogs or cats, but not others. The body doesn’t recognize all proteins in saliva, urine, and dander as allergens—only specific ones. That being said, people who are allergic to cats are more likely to be allergic to dogs too. And people who are allergic to one or two cats are more likely to be allergic to many other cats.

woman allergic to cat
Image Credit: Image Point Fr, Shutterstock

What About Hypoallergenic Pets?

You may have heard about “hypoallergenic” pets—pets that are less likely to cause an allergy. Though it sounds perfect, there are a couple of myths that need debunking.

1. Shedding

Some breeds of dogs or cats that don’t shed hair have been called hypoallergenic. Unfortunately, this is probably not true. As we mentioned, most pet allergies are not reactions to hair, but rather to proteins secreted in saliva, urine, and dander. Hair isn’t usually the problem, so a dog or cat that doesn’t shed much is not necessarily better for someone with known pet allergies.

white british shorthair cat sitting
Image Credit: Real Moment, Shutterstock

2. Hypoallergenic breeds

Other breeds of dog have been put forward as hypoallergenic, meaning that (regardless of hair or shedding) they’re less likely to cause an allergy. Again, this is not true. All dogs and cats secrete potential allergens, so all dogs and cats can cause allergy symptoms.

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I’m About to Get a Pet – How Will I Know if I’m Allergic?

The good news here is that people with dog or cat allergies may tolerate some breeds much better than others. Remember, being allergic to one cat or dog certainly doesn’t make you allergic to all cats and dogs.

The best way to know if you’re allergic to a dog or cat is to spend some time around them. Consider fostering for a couple of weeks to see if any allergies are triggered. Alternatively, arrange to visit someone who has the same breed of dog or cat.

If you’d prefer not to risk it, there are safer pet options. Fish, reptiles, and turtles are far less likely to cause allergies than dogs or cats.

bengal cat on owners lap
Image Credit: golubovystock, Shutterstock

How Can I Manage My Pet Allergies?

There are lots of steps you can take to minimize exposure to pet allergens, and reduce your chances of allergy symptoms. The list below is not exhaustive, but it is a great start:

  • Keep pets out of bedrooms or other places you sleep.

  • Have someone else brush or groom your pet.

  • Use pet-grade wipes to clean your pet after they have been outside.

  • Wash clothes that have been in contact with pets.

  • Wash your hands and face after touching your pet.

  • Regularly wash bedding, rugs, or fabric furniture that your pet has spent time on.

  • Wash your pet with dog or cat shampoo once weekly.

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Conclusion

Pet allergies are common and often require ongoing management. If you have a known pet allergy (or non-pet allergy), it’s a good idea to spend time with pets before taking them on. This means you can be confident you won’t have an allergy to your pet, rather than assuming a “hypoallergenic” breed will be fine. Thankfully, there are lots of different breeds available, so there’s a good chance you’ll find one that you’re not allergic to. And if you do have a pet allergy, there are lots of ways to manage this at home.

If you think you have a pet allergy, or if you are showing allergy symptoms, always seek medical advice from your doctor to discuss testing and medications.

Sources

Featured Image Credit: Kmpzzz, Shutterstock

The post Can You Be Allergic to Cats but Not Dogs? (Vet Answer) appeared first on Pet Keen.

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Why Am I Allergic to Some Cats and Not Others? (Vet Answer)

Do your eyes itch and your nose run every time you come into contact with a cat or a person who owns cats? If so, you are probably allergic to cats. But it is not the mere presence of the cat that causes your allergy nor is it their hair, but rather the proteins found in the cat’s dander, urine, and saliva. That said, cat hair floats in the air, making it the primary means of transport for those proteins. Allergen-carrying cat hair will end up in the environment on the objects that you come in contact with.

Hypoallergenic cats do not exist—they are a myth! All cats can produce allergies in humans, but some pets produce more allergens than others.1 This is why some individuals develop an allergic reaction to certain cats and not all of them.

In cats, the dominating allergenic protein is produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin and the salivary glands.

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Why Am I Allergic to Some Cats and Not Others?

An allergen is a harmless substance that the immune system sees as an enemy, triggering an allergic reaction. There are 10 known cat allergens that cause allergies in humans. The most commonly encountered is the protein secretoglobin Fel d 1. It’s omnipresent in the United States (even in households that do not own cats)2 and is produced by the cat’s anal, salivary glands, and sebaceous glands. Intact or unneutered males produce more allergens than neutered cats.

All 10 proteins accumulate on your cat’s fur when they groom themselves. These remain on their fur and are released into the environment as your cat sheds hair and dander. Allergic people who come into contact with them will have a reaction.

Therefore, regardless of the cat breed or coat length, these pets have the potential to trigger an allergy.

woman sneezing into tissue because of allergy to cats
Image Credit: Kmpzzz, Shutterstock

What Are the Signs of a Cat Allergy?

Cats love to be clean! They groom themselves all day and thus fill their fur with allergens. Hair and dander are lightweight and end up in the environment on various objects that the cat comes into contact with. Allergens are also persistent—they have even been discovered in houses where no cat has lived for several years.

If you are allergic to cats, the allergens that reach the lungs combine with the antibodies that your immune system produces and cause the following clinical signs and symptoms:

  • Sneezing fits

  • Runny nose

  • Stuffy nose

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Asthma

  • Itchiness around the eyes

  • Red and watery eyes

  • Rash

  • Scratching

  • Excessive tearing

  • Cough

  • Neurodermatitis

  • Hives

  • Flatulence

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Abdominal pain

  • Migraines

Signs and symptoms usually appear shortly after coming into contact with the respective allergen. Other important signs of cat allergy are fatigue (especially manifested in the case of untreated allergies) and continuous coughing. Symptoms such as chills, fever, nausea, or vomiting are usually related to other health conditions rather than allergies.

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The 7 Cats That  Produce Less Allergens

Although there are no hypoallergenic cats, certain breeds produce fewer allergenic proteins than others. Here are seven cat breeds that are considered hypoallergenic.

1. Sphynx

sphynx cat relaxing on sofa at home
Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock

This breed is known for being mostly hairless, so the allergenic proteins in their saliva cannot be trapped in their non-existent fur. That said, they will still groom themselves and get saliva on their skin.

2. Cornish Rex

Cornish Rex Cat
Image Credit: Okssi, Shutterstock

Cats’ hair is usually arranged in three layers: the outer coat, the middle layer, and the undercoat. The Cornish Rex cat only has an undercoat, which means they have much less hair than other cats, so the risk of causing an allergic reaction is lower.

3. Devon Rex

devon rex kitten
Image Credit Veera, Shutterstock

This cat breed has the same type of fur as the Cornish Rex. The difference between these breeds is that Devon Rex cats have even less hair and do not shed much.

4. Oriental

Black and White Oriental Bicolor
Image Credit: Jenni Ferreira, Shutterstock

Oriental cats have short, fine fur and shed very little. For best results, bathe your Oriental cat regularly to help remove loose hair and thus reduce the amount that they shed around the house.

5. Russian Blue

russian blue cat
Image Credit: moonsword, Pixabay

Although they have a rich coat, Russian Blue cats produce less Fel d1 protein. So, if you are thinking of getting a cat but are allergic, this may be a suitable breed for you!

6. Balinese

balinese cat in the garden
Image Credit: Fazlyeva Kamilla, Shutterstock

As with the Russian Blue cat, the Balinese cat produces less Fel d1 protein than most other cats.

7. Siberian

Person brushing a siberian cat lying on floor
Image Credit: Massimo Cattaneo, Shutterstock

If you want a cat with rich and long fur that will not cause you to have so many allergic reactions, choose the Siberian cat because it produces less Fel d1.

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How to Reduce a Cat’s Allergen Levels

Here are a few tips and tricks to help reduce your cat’s allergen levels:

  • Bathe your cat twice a week with cat-safe shampoo, and make sure you rinse them well. Studies show that the accumulation of Fel d1 restores to its basal value within 2 days. Fel d1 levels are higher in the face area, so give it extra attention when you bathe your cat.

  • Sterilize your cat.

  • Wash your hands every time you touch your cat.

  • Avoid touching your face.

  • Vacuum and wash the floors as often as possible.

  • Change bedding often.

  • Use antistatic sprays to prevent dust from spreading.

  • Replace your carpet because it attracts and hosts many allergens.

  • Avoid heavy curtains because they attract dust.

  • If you have a yard, create outdoor enclosures for your cat and encourage them to spend more time outside.

  • Keep the litter box in a well-ventilated area.

  • Use dust-free litter.

  • Consult the doctor for an effective anti-allergic treatment.

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Conclusion

A significant percentage of the population suffers from cat allergies, and it is common for allergic cat owners to have to give up their dear friends because of this. All cats, regardless of breed, can cause allergies. The primary cause of allergic reactions is the proteins found in the sebaceous glands of cats’ skin. There are 10 allergenic proteins in cats, but Fel d1 is the most common one that produces allergies in humans.

Cat hair and dander are the elements that lead to allergic reactions. The hair itself is only a vector for the allergenic proteins found in dander, saliva, and urine. Intact males are also considered more allergenic than neutered cats.

To reduce the allergens around you, bathe your cat regularly, vacuum the floors often, change the bedding frequently, and neuter your cat.

Featured Image Credit: Dmytro Zinkevych, Shutterstock

The post Why Am I Allergic to Some Cats and Not Others? (Vet Answer) appeared first on Pet Keen.

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Notoedric Mange in Cats: Signs, Causes & Care (Vet Answer)

Mange in cats is a disease of the skin. It is caused by microscopic mites that burrow into the surface of the skin. The skin loses hair and becomes thick and crusty. It is extremely itchy, and cats often scratch themselves so much they cause self-inflicted trauma—scratches and sores.

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What Is Mange?

Microscopic insects—mites—that live their whole lives on the skin of cats digging tunnels into the surface of the skin to eat, poop, and lay eggs, called Notoedres cati. The skin has an inflammatory response to the mites, making it itchy.

What Are the Signs of Mange?

Mange causes the skin to thicken, form crusts, and lose hair. It usually starts around the ears, spreads to the face, and then to the neck. In some cases, the feet and belly become infected because cats lay curled with their face touching their feet and belly.

  • Itchy spots

  • Blister-type sores

  • Crusts

  • Hair loss

  • Scaling

  • Red skin

  • Discharging spots

  • Thickened skin

What Are the Causes of Mange?

The mite that infests cats is called Notoedres cati. The condition is called mange but can sometimes be mistakenly called scabies. Scabies is the same condition, but in dogs, it is caused by a mite closely related called Sarcoptes scabiei.

The mites can cause secondary bacterial or yeast skin infections. As the mites dig their burrows, they break down the integrity of the skin barrier, leaving it exposed to bacteria and yeast.

Grey Tabby Cat with Mange in Shelter
Image Credit: Casey Elise Christopher, Shutterstock

How Do I Care for a Cat With Mange

There are several veterinary medications that treat mange. The most common is a family of drugs related to ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug. Depending on the formula, it can be given by mouth, injected, or a small dot of it can be smeared on the skin—a spot-on.

Bathing a cat does not kill the mites unless it is with a cat-safe lime sulfur treatment. It can help the skin look and feel better after the mites are killed, and it can help treat secondary yeast and bacterial infections. But without medical treatment, the mites will not be killed and will continue to cause damage.

Many of the monthly spot-ons medications that treat and prevent fleas also treat and prevent mange.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it contagious?

Notoedres cati is very contagious and spreads from cat to cat by direct contact—a nose-to-nose type situation. The mites can’t live off the skin, but they don’t die instantly—they can survive for a short time, hours, for example. So, in cases of severe infestation, a cat can pick it up from the environment.

For example, if a cat lays in a box overnight and then another cat comes along immediately afterward and lays in the same box, it could catch mange. This is why it is important to do a deep clean when you treat your cat; give it the medication and clean it.

Can Notoedres cati spread to other animals?

Notoedres cati can infect other animals, like dogs and even people, but it rarely does. It usually prefers cats but will infect other species if the infestation is severe enough. Usually, if the cat is treated and it goes away, then it also goes away in other animals on its own—it is usually self-limiting in other species.

Why does only one of my cats have mange?

You would think that because it is so contagious that if one cat suffers from manage, then they all would. But just because one cat has signs of it and the others do not does not mean there isn’t an infestation. Each cat will have an individual response—based on how many mites they carry and how sensitive/allergic they are to the mites.

It is common for one cat to have a flair-up while the other cats remain mostly normal. For one reason or another, the cats without signs of mites have them in their skin but do not show signs of infestation.

This is why all cats in the house need to be treated at the same time to get rid of it. If you treat your cat for mange and it does not go away, it is probably getting it from other cats that do not have signs of it.

Cat illustration, cat mange illustration, Sarcoptes scabiei
Image Credit: sf_freelance, Shutterstock

What happens if it’s not treated?

In severe cases, the skin thickens and becomes sorer, the legs can swell, and it can cause cats to starve and become emaciated. If it becomes severe enough, cats can die from mange, especially if there are also fleas and infections, creating a perfect storm of trouble.

How is it diagnosed?

If you suspect mange, bring your cat to the vet for a diagnosis. Expect them to take a skin sample that they will examine under the microscope looking for the mites.

As you can imagine, it can be difficult to catch the perfect sample of skin with mites stuck to it. It can be difficult to find the mites—there is a lot of skin for them to hide on. So, sometimes a vet will not be able to find evidence of the mites but will still give the medication, especially if the signs all point to mange. This is called a therapeutic trial. Because the medications are so safe and have the added benefit of treating fleas and other parasites, it usually helps.

How do I know if my cat is very itchy?

They will scratch their ears or face dozens of times a day. Two or three good healthy scratches are normal for a cat.

And especially because they groom themselves, it can be hard to tell when a cat is over-scratching itself but a cat with mange will scratch their face dozens of times a day. Sometimes they will scratch themselves, stand up to move on, and then suddenly sit and scratch themselves again.

Sometimes they will not let you pet their head or flinch when you go in for a pet, but sometimes they will love it when you do the scratching for them. A cat that leans into your scratches is normal; a cat that falls over leaning into your scratches is too much—usually.

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Conclusion

Luckily, mange is not as common in our house cats as it used to be because most cats are being given preventative treatment for it through their flea treatments. But, in stray cats, mange can be quite common, especially in warm climates.

So, I hope you don’t feel too itchy now, but thanks for learning more about notoedric mange in cats.

Sources
  • Jackson, H. A., & Marsella, R. (2012). BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Dermatology (No. Ed. 3). British Small Animal Veterinary Association.

Featured Image Credit: Suharji Esha, Shutterstock

The post Notoedric Mange in Cats: Signs, Causes & Care (Vet Answer) appeared first on Pet Keen.