The Best Allergy Medicine to Give Your Cat
pet medications
Just like humans, cats can suffer from allergies. And when cats suffer from allergies, it’s impossible not to feel their pain and realize you and your cat need help, fast — prompting you to search for the best allergy medication for cats, and figure out how you can get your cat relief as quickly as possible.
Unfortunately, diagnosing and treating cat allergies in cats isn’t quite as easy as helping humans find relief from their symptoms. Cats can’t talk or describe their symptoms, for one thing. It can be hard to locate allergy medicine for cats that really works, for another.
Here, we’ll give you a head start. In this helpful guide, you’ll find the clues you need to determine whether your cat is having allergies, as well as direct ways to save on the best allergy meds for cats.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Allergies in Cats
Cats may not be able to tell us they're feeling unwell, but their behavior and physical symptoms can provide clues.
The next time you suspect your feline companion isn’t feeling their best, watch them move around. Keep an eye on them for a bit.
And then ask yourself: Are they exhibiting any of the following symptoms?
- Excessive scratching and licking
- Sneezing, coughing, and wheezing
- Swollen, sensitive paws
- Ear infections, or batting at their ears
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Snoring due to nasal congestion
- Itchy, running eyes
- Red or dry skin
Your cat may become more clingy when they’re feeling ill. Alternatively, they could become more reclusive as they attempt to figure out what’s going on. You know your cat best; anytime they begin to act abnormally, give them a once-over and check against this symptom list to see if they could be having an allergic reaction.
If you think your cat is allergic to something and in pain, your first move is to consult a vet.
Why Do I Need to Consult a Vet if I Know My Cat’s Allergic to Something?
Even if you have a strong hunch that you know what your cat’s allergic to (say that your cat just stumbled headfirst into ragweed, or you just moved into a new home that may have a mold issue), it’s important to get your cat checked out.
Your vet can run tests to help you know with confidence what your cat’s allergic to. This can make finding a treatment or removing the allergen from your home a much easier process.
Your vet will also recommend a specific type of allergy medicine for cats that will be safe for your cat and effective for the allergen you’re battling.
This is a necessary step, so please don’t skip it if at all possible. You’d be surprised at the wide range of things that cats can be allergic to, and the varied range of treatments that you could leverage to help your cat.
What Are Common Types of Allergies in Cats?
Cats can be allergic to a variety of things, from their environment to the food they eat. (In large part, cat allergies can mirror what humans can be allergic to.)
Some common examples of cat allergies include:
Environmental Allergies
Environmental allergies are by far the most common type of allergies you’ll notice a cat struggling with. These allergies are triggered by allergens present in a cat’s environment. (Humans have environmental allergies, too; this is usually what you think of when someone says they have allergies).
Common allergens that can trigger environmental allergies include pollen, grass, fungi, mold, and dust. However, that’s not a comprehensive list. In some cases, substances like cigarette smoke, strong cleaning products, and perfume can trigger allergies.
While this isn’t always the case, environmental allergies tend to result in respiratory symptoms. If your cat is experiencing environmental allergies, they may sneeze, cough, or even wheeze.
Flea Allergies
Flea allergies are also very common in cats.
And a cat can be struggling with flea allergies even if they don’t have any visible fleas. The evocative image of a dirty, flea-ridden cat you may be conjuring in your head isn’t always the picture of a cat dealing with flea allergies; often, this type of situation can be invisible and painful at the same time.
Flea bites result in exposure to flea saliva, which often triggers an allergic reaction. Cats who are struggling with flea allergies may experience intense itching and, unfortunately, secondary skin infection.
Watch for cats that are licking themselves, rubbing themselves, or itching more often than usual.
Food Allergies
Food allergies are less common in cats than environmental and flea allergies. Most commercial cat foods have been formulated to contain as few allergens as possible, but it’s certainly not impossible that your cat is having a reaction (particularly if you believe your cat’s symptoms started shortly after a change in your cat’s diet).
The symptoms of food allergies are similar to environmental allergies but can also include gastrointestinal distress such as vomiting or diarrhea.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a painful, itchy skin condition that’s usually triggered by allergies. If your cat’s skin is scabbed, inflamed, red, or itchier than normal, your cat may have atopic dermatitis.
Talk to your veterinarian as soon as you can; they’ll be able to help you obtain a formal diagnosis and, with it, a recommendation or prescription for a topical product that will help your cat heal and experience relief.
Diagnosing Allergies in Cats
Proper diagnosis is crucial to ensure your cat gets the right treatment.
Luckily, as long as you go talk to a veterinarian, getting a diagnosis shouldn’t be too difficult.
To diagnose your cat, your veterinarian will examine your cat and discuss your cat’s medical history with you. Then, they’ll ask about any symptoms your cat may be experiencing. If you don’t know some of this information, don’t worry—just give your veterinarian as much information as you can.
If your veterinarian needs more information, they may decide to invest in skin tests or blood tests to help identify the problem-causing allergen.
These may sound invasive, but it’s not as bad as you may think.
- Blood tests can help you identify the levels of antibodies in your cat’s blood that are associated with specific allergens. If your cat has an exceptionally high level of, say, the allergen connected to pollen, your cat may be allergic to pollen.
- Skin tests involve putting a little bit of an allergen under your cat’s skin. If your cat is allergic to that allergen, there will be a bump right where you put the allergen. This may sound a little scarier, but it’s a routine procedure that your veterinarian has likely performed hundreds of times.
After your veterinarian has figured out which allergen is making your cat’s life more difficult than it needs to be, your veterinarian will help you determine a way forward. This could include environmental changes or other strategies—like prescription or over-the-counter medicine.
The Best Allergy Meds for Cats
Has your cat been diagnosed with an allergy?
If so, there’s likely something you can do to make your cat’s life easier and less symptomatic. Some options may include hypoallergenic diets (for food allergies), flea prevention products (for flea allergies), or immunotherapy, or allergy shots (for environmental allergies).
Some common treatments include the following:
Apoquel
Apoquel (oclacitinib) is an oral medication that can help cats with allergies achieve relief from itching and inflammation, particularly in the case of atopic dermatitis. It’s a newer medication that is very effective but does have some side effects. These side effects may include decreased appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting.
If you’re looking for a way to save on brand-name Apoquel, you can buy it through NorthWestPharmacy.com for about $2.00 per tablet.
Allegra
Allegra (fexofenadine) is an antihistamine, or a medication that helps regulate a person's (or cat’s) levels of histamines, a part of the immune system that fuels allergic reactions. While Allegra is a human medication, cats who have runny noses and itchy eyes may be able to take a lower dose under veterinary care. Side effects of Allegra include dry mouth and drowsiness.
Allegra is an over-the-counter medication. You can buy Allegra through NorthWestPharmacy.com for less than $1.00 per tablet, or generic fexofenadine for about $0.68 per tablet.
Zyrtec - called Reactine in Canada
Zyrtec (cetirizine) is an oral antihistamine, like Allegra, that cats can take at a lower dose to treat their allergy symptoms. While Zyrtec is well-tolerated by felines, it does tend to cause dry mouth and drowsiness in some cases. This is just something to be aware of. If your cat experiences these side effects or others and you need an alternate solution, talk to your veterinarian to see what they recommend.
You can buy brand name Zyrtec through NorthWestPharmacy.com for about $1.00 per tablet, or generic cetirizine for about $0.20 per tablet.
Prednisone
Prednisone is a corticosteroid medication.
Corticosteroid medications are strong, and they’re effective. If your cat is experiencing itching or inflammation constantly and it’s very detrimental to your quality of life, prednisone may be worth looking into.
It can have serious side effects, including liver problems, so most veterinarians only recommend using it in emergency or short-term situations.
You can buy generic prednisone through NorthWestPharmacy.com for about $0.30 per tablet.
It’s important to note that before you share any medication with your cat, you need to speak with a veterinarian. The Allegra you use to soothe your own allergic reactions may not work for your cat’s skin condition, and even if you think you’ve narrowed down the cause of your cat’s allergies, there could always be something more complex going on than you think.
After you’ve confirmed with your veterinarian what’s going on, you’ll then need to purchase your cat’s allergy medicine from a reliable, affordable pharmacy. When that happens, we have a pro tip to share that will save you time, money, and stress—so you can get back to spending time with your furry best friend.
Buy the Best Allergy Medicine for Cats through an Online Canadian Pharmacy
Choosing the right medication is, often, quite daunting. No matter the condition you’re working to treat, there are so many different medications available, and it can be difficult to compare them all.
This is particularly difficult to deal with when your cat, a (relatively) innocent creature that can’t easily articulate what’s wrong, is dealing with frustrating and painful allergic symptoms.
You don’t need to deal with more tough decisions. You just need something that works, and fast.
That’s why you need to find an online Canadian drugstore and international pharmacy that offers reliably low prices, transparent information about the prescription medications you need, and a friendly, responsive customer service team that’s ready to answer any questions you may have.
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, we understand that true care goes beyond prescriptions. It's about understanding, support, and guidance. It's about ensuring that every individual, regardless of their health challenges, feels heard and cared for.
We're committed to making your experience as seamless as possible. Check out our extensive catalog, enriched with in-depth guides to help you make informed decisions. And when you're ready, our ordering process, whether online or over the phone, is designed for your convenience.
Give us a call at 1-866-539-5330 when you’re ready to place your order, or if you have any questions for us. We look forward to supporting you as you invest in your health!
