Health – Page 6 – Maine Coon Central

Just like people can be allergic to certain things, cats can get their own allergic reactions too. In this article, we'll talk about the most common Main Coon cat allergies, and how to diagnose, treat, and prevent them. It's not uncommon for Maine Coon Cats to suffer from allergies. These can be different depending on where they got them from, they can be food-related or from something they inhaled or had contact with. Either way, you need to be aware of the symptoms to know how to diagnose and treat your pet. To know how to differentiate the allergies and be able to help your cat get better, we will explain to you the different allergies in detail. Common Maine Coon Cat Allergies We've analyzed twelve of the most common allergies that can affect your Maine Coon and narrowed them into the next categories: Atopic DermatitisFlea Allergy DermatitisPlastic allergiesRubber allergiesChemical and cleaning products allergiesEssential oil allergiesPerfume allergiesCigarette smoke allergiesMold allergiesPollen and grass allergiesGluten allergiesDairy allergies Now, let's talk about them and discuss each allergy in detail so that you can identify each of the symptoms and know what to do to help your Main Coon if he ever gets an allergy. 1. Atopic Dermatitis One of the main allergic reactions that Maine Coon cats can get is atopic dermatitis. You'll notice you're cat is uncomfortable and suffering from an allergy-like this one because they're constantly scratching their face and belly, chewing their paws, and their faces can get a little red. For this type of dermatitis, cats need to be treated by a vet to ease the symptoms and prevent them from happening again. 2. Flea Allergy Dermatitis Many pets are prone to having fleas and flea bites. That is never a pretty experience, but for some Maine Coons can get worse as they're allergic to the flea's saliva. Since they have longer hair than other breeds, noticing the fleas and bumps can be a harder job for the owners. When you're cat is getting an allergic reaction to the fleas, you'll notice that they have extreme itching. Whenever this happens, check them thoroughly for red bumps, flea dirt, or any flea sign all over their bodies, especially on their rear end. If you feel like you're cat is suffering from fleas, take him immediately to the vet because the allergic reaction can increase and cause pustules. 3. Plastic Allergies Many cat breeds, including the Maine Coon, can get allergic reactions when they're in contact with plastic materials. This allergy can be pretty common when cats eat from plastic food bowls, so they get allergies around their face and chin that include symptoms like rashes in these areas of their skin. We recommend you buy metal food containers to minimize the risk of your kitty getting an allergy. 4. Rubber Allergies Just like plastic allergies, if a cat is in constant contact with rubber it can cause him similar allergic reactions. In the past years, collapsible rubber food containers have been gaining popularity. Even though these are convenient for certain occasions, they aren't the best for feeding your cat daily They can get similar symptoms to the plastic-caused rashes and lesions in all the skin parts that are in touch with the rubber materials. To prevent these allergies, just try to avoid giving your cat rubber toys and minimize the use of the rubber bowls. 5. Chemical And Cleaning Products Allergies Cats can be sensitive to different cleaning products and the chemicals in them. They can get allergies from products you use to wash your clothes or your house floors to the shampoo you bathe your cat with if it's not the right one. The symptoms of these allergies can be similar to the ones from atopic dermatitis. So, be sure to always bathe your Maine Coon with long hair shampoo and if you observe any other symptoms, you can shift from commercial cleaning products to a mild soap. 6. Essential Oil Allergies It's uncommon for cats to get allergies to essential oils, but in houses that use them constantly, it can happen. The effects a Maine Coon can get from inhaling essential oils are: VomitingLethargyAppetite LossMuscle SpasmsDroolingLack Of Balance If you use essential oils in your house just try to keep them to a minimum use and dilute them with water to prevent your cat's allergies from coming out. 7. Perfume Allergies Just like with essential oil allergies, cats can get different reactions from the constant use and diffuse of perfumes. The symptoms from these allergies are very similar to the flu. You'll notice them: WheezingCoughingSneezingDeveloping other breathing allergies Sometimes if you hold your cat to your perfumed chest or he's in contact with perfumed surfaces, they can develop itchy rashes as well, resulting in atopic dermatitis. To prevent these just reduce your perfume usage and don't spray it near your cat or in places he spends more time at. 8. Cigarette Smoke Allergies Your cat's lungs function very similarly to yours, so they are also prone to having smoke allergic reactions and smoke diseases or complications to their lungs. Similar to human reactions, cats with smoke allergies will tend to: CoughWheezeHave trouble breathing Maine Coons can get worse with these allergies because they absorb the smoke in their long hair, causing them to inhale it 24/7. To solve and prevent these effects in your pet, simply stop smoking inside the house or in rooms where the cat usually spends time. Not doing this will probably trigger chronic and worse diseases like asthma or even lung cancer in your cat. 9. Mold Allergies It is also pretty common for Maine Coons to develop allergies to mold when they're in contact with it or consume it by accident. Mold allergies can cause severe skin reactions, making the hair of your cat fall off and their skin extremely dry and itchy that can develop pustules as well. This is one of the most severe allergies a cat can get, so if you see any of these symptoms take him immediately to the vet for special treatment. You then need to find the source of the mold so that the cat does not get worse and also does not have an issue again. 10. Pollen And Grass Allergies Atopic dermatitis can be a secondary effect to other types of allergies caused by flower pollen or grass that got caught in their long hair. To prevent your Maine Coon from getting this allergic reaction, keep it clean and indoors as much as you can. 11. Gluten Allergies Even though food allergies are the least common ones in cats, certain ingredients can trigger allergies in them. This is the case with gluten. You are probably thinking now "cats don't eat gluten", truth is that there are many brands that manufacture cat food with wheat gluten as one of the ingredients. When your Maine Coon is suffering from an upset stomach along with skin rashes and eventual wheezing it means that he can be getting an allergic reaction to gluten and you should take him to get tested. 12. Dairy Allergies We are used to watching cartoons of kittens drinking milk, but a pretty common food allergy for cats is to dairy products as their stomachs can't handle cow milk. The symptoms that lactose intolerance cats experience to go from an upset tummy and diarrhea. If you observe any of these symptoms, then just withdraw the cat's dairy consumption completely and keep an eye on him for the next few days. Diagnosing Maine Coon Cat Allergies To diagnose your cat allergies be very observant of their behavior, their mood and energy, and their skin so that if you ever see something extraordinary you can treat them at home. If it is necessary, take them to the vet for professional testing and treatment. How To Treat Common Maine Coon Cat Allergies If you take your cat to the vet, you will get a specific treatment for the allergies he's having. Depending on what triggered the symptoms, you can do certain changes at home to prevent your cat to get worse. Always keep your cat groomed and brush his hair so that the allergens don't nest in it. Try to use as many organic products as you can, this will not only benefit your cat's health but yours as well. Finally, if your cat is having food allergies try to feed him home-cooked meals to control them. Are Maine Coon Cats Hypoallergenic? Unfortunately for cat lovers that are allergy sufferers, Maine Coon cats aren't a hypoallergenic breed. Because of their long hair, they tend to have more of the protein known as Fel d1 which is what triggers allergic reactions. Conclusion As you can see it can be very common and somehow easy for your Main Coon to have an allergic reaction. Whenever this happens, don't panic! Instead, take him for a checkup to be sure of what's triggering his allergies. Taking care of these cats can be a rollercoaster of emotions but in the end, we would all do whatever it takes to see these lovable creatures happy and healthy. So, make sure you take note of these common Maine Coon cat allergies to ensure your treasured feline stays fit and healthy.