Cats with allergies

Just like humans, cats can suffer from allergies.  Sneezing!   Scratching! It might be itchiness on the skin or an inflammation of the lining of their air passages.  There could even be a reaction to certain foods causing an upset tummy – there are so many pollutants around in our 21st century living conditions and cats are especially sensitive to them.   Do you spray your house with chemical air fresheners?   Carpet shampoos?   Chemical scented soap powder and fabric conditioners?  Your cat is breathing them in and can’t get away unless he can escape to the outdoors.   Asthma in cats has been on the increase for some years.    Try natural air fresheners instead – a few drops of lavender or other scented aromatherapy oil, make your own spray by diluting in water.    Herbs are effective for scenting a room and won’t cause any upset either.    Put a few sprigs of garden herbs such as rosemary, mint or, even better, catnip, in your pets basket.   Cats like natural scents.   A wipe over with a cloth sprinkled with a few drops of dilute tea tree oil is refreshing and invigorating, keeps fleas at bay too.

Fleas are another source of allergy, their bites cause inflammatory substances to be released on to the cat’s skin and it causes a breakout of itching and soreness.   Treat with spot-on drops to zap the pests and then keep at bay with a herbal flea collar and regular combing with a flea comb.

Feeding oil fish and foods containing fatty acids is beneficial to all cats especially those prone to allergies.   These have been shown to damp down the inflammation at cellular level.   Healthy foods are essential for cats suffering from allergies – organic, fresh and pure ingredients – just like we used to feed cats in the ‘old’ days when there was no manufactured pet food!    Raw mince, cooked chicken, lightly poached fish – it doesn’t take as long to prepare as fetching the convenience cat food.   Cats like goats milk too and we’ve found this to be beneficial for their skin and well-being.  Cow’s milk, on the other hand, isn’t tolerated so well and often causes tummy upsets.

Gentle herbs can make a difference, but it’s important to only use those that are safe for cats, they can’t tolerate all herbs.  Consulting an animal herbalist and getting professional guidance is essential.   The following herbs are recognised as being safe for use on cats – comfrey which is used externally and is soothing and healing, marigold also soothes inflamed skin, lavender is good for insect bites and burns, we use garlic juice for mild infections and echinacea can act as a natural antibiotic, it also stimulates the immune system.

You can make a decoction by soaking a herb in water  for a few weeks and then straining the liquid off.  Store in a dark bottle and in a cool place.   If it’s for internal use we give a few drops of a mild solution on food.     Get advice from a professional feline herbalist if you are unsure.

Oil of cedar is said to have mite killing properties, it has to be diluted with a carrier oil, such as almond, first.   Neem oil has been used for many years for treating ringworm and you can buy this oil ready made up for use.

Check out Dorwest Herbs who have many natural and fully tested herbal remedies for a variety of cat conditions – they are inexpensive and they really work.   We’ve been using Dorwest Herbs for over 30 years and have found them to be very effective and well tolerated.   The Dorwest Herb catalogue is full of excellent advice and recommendations – pick up a copy from us or s.a.e and we’ll send one out to you with pleasure.    You can buy Dorwest Herbs from our shop ‘In the Dog House’ either by calling at the sanctuary or buy from our online shop.