Cat allergies: causes, symptoms and treatments

Think you might suffer from cat allergies? If you’re sniffing, sneezing, coughing and itching every time you’re around your feline friend, you might be allergic to cats. Explore below for some of the common symptoms associated with cat allergies, along with causes, treatments, and how to avoid your symptoms getting worse.

It’s also worth noting before we get started, the below information is not medical advice - always speak to a medical professional for a diagnosis and treatment.

Cat allergy symptoms

Cat allergy symptoms vary between adults and infants, and between individuals suffering from an allergic reaction to cats. Explore below for a full list of the signs you might be allergic to cats, along with symptoms considered severe, where medical intervention is generally required.

Cat allergy symptoms in adults

Symptoms of a cat allergy in adults include…

• Runny nose
• Blocked nose
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Tightness in the chest
• Irritated eyes (watery, itchy, red, swollen eyes)
• Skin rash, concentrated on the chest and face (hives, redness, itchiness)

As you can see, the allergic reaction to cats in adults is very similar to that of hay fever symptoms, so it’s also worth considering whether your suspected cat allergies could in fact be down to seasonal changes.

Cat allergy symptoms in infants

If you think your infant is allergic to cats, check the cat allergy symptoms in babies and toddlers below:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Sneezing
• Itchy throat
• Irritated, itchy eyes

It’s worth noting that young children can display cat allergy symptoms, and eventually ‘grow out’ of them, with symptoms becoming less severe - and even non-existent over time. 

With that said, some allergies can worsen with exposure, so if you think your child is allergic to your cat, it’s worth seeking advice from a medical professional.

Cat allergy skin rash

Cat allergy rashes are a common symptom you might experience if you’re allergic to cats. Most people will see this allergic reaction to cats as a rash on their face and chest. Explore the symptoms associated with a cat allergy skin rash below:

• Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
• Hives
• Red patches
• Itchiness

This skin irritation is an immune system response to an allergen from cats, which results in inflammation of the skin.

Severe cat allergy symptoms

Sometimes, cat allergies can turn severe, especially if you already suffer from allergic asthma. This can result in a severe allergic reaction in both adults and children, including chronic respiratory complications and asthma attacks. So, if you think you might suffer from allergic asthma, seek help from a medical professional. 

For your information, find the symptoms of allergic asthma below, according to the Cleveland Clinic - an American nonprofit academic medical center.

• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Blocked nose
• Rashes
• Itchy eyes

Causes of a cat allergy

Cat allergies are caused by allergens present in cat dander, saliva and urine. Allergic reactions to cats occur when small amounts of those allergens are inhaled, or those allergic to cats are bitten by a feline. Allergens can stick to upholstered furniture, clothes, bedding, and they can float around in the air, attached to cat dander and fur.

According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine on human allergies to cats by Andrew H Sparkes, BVetMed, PhD (and more), Fel d 1 is the only major antigen cats produce, and is the most potent of all antigens found in cats that cause allergic symptoms in humans.

In short, the key causes of cat allergies are allergens found in the below, which can be inhaled or passed on through a cat bite:

• Cat dander
• Cat saliva
• Cat urine

How to test for cat allergy

If you think you might have a cat allergy, speak to your doctor who may be able to arrange a test for you. Below are a few of the common ways you might be able to determine whether you’re allergic to cats or not.

Skin test

A medical professional may be able to perform a skin test to determine whether you’re allergic to the allergens cats produce. Generally, the medical professional performing the test will prick a small amount of allergen extract into your skin. After around 15 minutes, the doctor will examine the area of skin for any allergic symptoms, such as redness, bumps or itchiness.

Blood test

If for any reason your doctor decides that a skin test isn’t suitable for you, a blood test may be recommended. This can help to determine how sensitive you are to certain allergens. 

Sometimes, this blood test falls under a specific IgE component test, which helps to determine which specific components within each allergen are causing allergic symptoms. 

While there is no cure for a cat allergy, there are things you can do to reduce your symptoms. We’ll explore those below, but it’s worth noting that a medical professional may advise you to take time away from the feline in your life to test whether the symptoms of the cat allergy cease or persist.

Cat allergy treatment

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, allergies to cats and dogs affect 10-20% of the world’s population. Unfortunately, there is no ‘cure’ to cat allergies, but the symptoms of the allergy can be helped.

So, if you were wondering how to get rid of cat allergies, the answer might be - sadly - to not spend any time with cats. The good news is, you can find out how to reduce the symptoms of cat allergies. 

So below, find a few of the common ways people tend to treat the symptoms of cat allergies, and pet allergies in general. And remember, always seek advice from a medical professional before undertaking any treatment for symptoms.

• Antihistamines - oral or nasal ingestion can help to reduce the symptoms of your cat allergy, but speak to a medical professional first.
• Cat allergy shots - a type of immunotherapy, these are sometimes effective, and have to be performed by a medical professional over a course of treatment, and should be recommended by a medical professional before undertaking.
• Decongestants - these can help to make breathing easier if your allergy to cat dander, urine or saliva causes coughing or wheezing (but speak to your doctor if you’re having respiratory issues).

How to get rid of cat allergies naturally

There is no cure for getting rid of your allergy to cats, but there are certainly ways that many claim can help to reduce the symptoms. Some of these ways are considered ‘natural’ or ‘home remedies’, so take a look below if you’re allergic to cats, and interested in ways others claim symptoms of cat allergies can be reduced. 

• Vitamin C - there are claims that this can act as a natural antihistamine.
• Butterbur - some take the extract as it can help with symptoms of hay fever, which are sometimes similar to the symptoms of a cat allergy.
• Nettle tea - nettles have natural anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties, so nettle tea may help to reduce the symptoms of a cat allergy.
• Aloe vera - applying aloe vera directly onto the affected area is a common home remedy for cat allergies on the skin as it can help to reduce topical inflammation.

While it’s always helpful to find out about the remedies others have found work for them, it’s important to remember that the symptoms of cat allergies can turn severe. So, the best thing to do is to speak to your medical professional for advice.

How to reduce the risk of cat allergy symptoms

• Cleaning. Cat dander, urine and saliva carry the allergens causing the allergic symptoms, so regularly clean out your cat’s bedding, your furniture, clothing and flooring.
• Air purification. Many allergens are inhaled through dander and fur floating about in the air, so investing in an air filter (like HEPA air) could help to reduce the number of allergens you inhale.
• Personal hygiene. Wash your hands after touching your cat to avoid spreading your cat’s allergens around your home and onto yourself. 
• Spay or neuter your cat. There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat, but according to Ohio State University, allergen production decreases after getting a cat neutered, which can help to reduce the number of allergens living about your home in the first place.
• Avoidance. If you’re a pet sitter or you have a friend with cats, and you think you might be allergic to cats, simply avoiding felines is one simple way to reduce your symptoms, once and for all (AKA, not applying for cat sits).

Considerations for pet sitters

If you think you might have a cat allergy, it’s for the best if you stick to pet sitting other animals - like dogs, reptiles and fish. Being allergic to cats - while symptoms may sometimes be mild - can put both you and the cat in your care in danger, should symptoms turn severe.

So to be on the safe side, stick to traveling the world and caring for the pets in it (in exchange for a place to stay), minus the cats (and multiple sneezes and sniffles!). Take a look below to find out how you can secure house sits.

First-hand cat allergy experience and advice 

Check out this thread over on our community forum, where you’ll find first-hand accounts of cat allergies and advice from our members, on dealing with symptoms while cat sitting.

• “Try wearing a mask indoors to keep the environmental irritants in the home from entering your nose” - kimshady
• “You can’t self diagnose- it might not be an allergy [...] go out for the day to see if it improves” - bonnyinbrighton
• “I would suggest trying over the counter antihistamines, no pets in the bedroom that you are using, change the bed linens if the pets have been in the bedroom already and shower/shampoo before bedtime to remove dander” - MaggieUU

Useful resources

• How do cats choose their favorite person?
• Why cats are better than dogs
• Cat years to human years calculator