Allergies

Just about all cats, at one point or another in their lives, will be bothered by fleeting bouts of runny nose and teary eyes. In most cats, these episodes are infrequent; they arise from time to time, disappear within a day or two, and are nothing for an owner to be deeply concerned about. In other cats, the unpleasant signs become chronic and may come and go with annoying frequency.

Youve always made a point of feeding your cat the most nutritious diet available. But even the best of foods may contain an ingredient to which she has developed an allergy. If thats the case, youre apt to witness a startling change in the otherwise placid little creatures behavior. Most noticeably, shes likely to be tormented by constant and insufferable itching, which will become obvious as you witness her nonstop scratching.

Honestly, veterinary researchers werent trying to make liars out of cat owners when they published "Urinary biomarkers to assess exposure of cats to environmental tobacco smoke" in the American Journal of Veterinary Research (Vol. 68, No. 4). They were trying to advance the science of gas-chromatography analysis to search for toxins that might cause disease in pets. Out of 61 healthy cats in the urinalysis study, 19 came from households where the owners said cigarettes were smoked. And 42 came from homes where owners swore no one ever smoked.

Some of the most peaceful moments of your day are spent sitting quietly with your cat, stroking her gently, peering into her gorgeous eyes. However, the serenity can well be interrupted if you happen to notice a crop of tiny, mean-looking little black spots on the otherwise lovely animals chin and lips. What youre apt to be observing are blackheads, the signs of feline acne, a dermatologic condition that affects male and female cats of all ages and breeds and could warrant a visit to your veterinarian.

Watery eyes, itching, sneezing, coughing. Do indoor allergies cause you problems? Even if you dont suffer from indoor allergies, your cat may not be so fortunate. Though outdoor allergens (substances that can cause the immune system to respond with an allergic reaction), such as pollen, are considered to be the main culprits in causing allergies, indoor allergens, such as the common house dust mite, actually have the potential to be much more reactive.

For several days, your good old cat has been acting oddly, lolling about the house, uncharacteristically lethargic, off his food and seemingly depressed.

Incessant scratching is annoying for your cat and troublesome to you. But how can you tell if its her food thats the main culprit?

Most skin disorders are readily treatable, but some can make your cat feel miserable.

Food allergies may be the cause - and if left untreated, they can lead to other health problems.

The important thing to remember is that its a problem your veterinarian should treat.

Here are simple things to do to make life more comfortable for allergy-suffering cat lovers.

If an ear mite strolls into your cats ear and makes itself at home, this minuscule parasite can cause major damage.