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Expert: - 2/23/2009


Question
How do I know if my kittens allergic to anything??

Answer
Alyssa,

That really depends on the type of symptoms that your kitten has. Cats tend to become very itchy and may even lose fur to over grooming when they have allergies. It's also worth noting that cats can have allergic reactions to food, fleas, scents, dust, dust mites and pretty much anything else that people can be allergic to. If you think that your kitten is allergic to something I would recommend that you seek veterinary care within a fairly short period of time, say 24-48 hours. Your vet will likely recommend a special diet for your kitty to see if there are any food allergies, and if your kitten has fleas they will be removed with an appropriate product for the age and health of your kitten. Ultimately I'm not a vet and I can't provide you with medical diagnoses, all that I can really do is recommend that you seek vet care if you have any reason to think that your kitten may be sick or experiencing discomfort from allergies. It's very important to treat feline allergies quickly and properly while being followed closely by your veterinarian because things like scratching or grooming excessively can become habits that are difficult to change.

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Ali

Expertise

I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.

Experience

I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.

Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.

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