Treating Cat Skin Allergies with CBD
Everyone who has pets every so often comes across a cat with some or other skin condition. Sometimes they scratch, bite, or lick constantly one specific area of their body. It often goes along with smelly, red, wet patches that possibly indicate a hot spot. Other times, it is a food or skin allergy. Many things can be the cause of this irritating condition for the owner and the cat. Expensive veterinary bills are part of the deal to keep your cat happy. But sometimes alternative methods are just as helpful with fewer side-effects.
What is the Cause of Allergies in Cats?
As cats also have an endocannabinoid system, just like us humans they can be allergic to either food or the environment. Allergies are caused by hypersensitivity in the immune system of your cat. It is hard to find the cause of the allergy at best, but the principle behind the allergic reaction is the same. The body reacts aggressively against a regular substance like dust or pollen because it detects it as harmful to the body. The body then reacts by fighting the substance off as if it is a virus or bacteria. This results in the allergic reaction your cat is displaying.
It is already difficult for humans to keep track of their allergies, but cats have a much more challenging time as they can’t treat themselves. What makes it even more tasking, is that the owner needs to try and keep the cat away from the area or substance causing the allergy.
What Allergies Could Cats Have?
There are quite a number of stuff cats can be allergic to. Some include:
Certain kinds of food
Some prescription drugs
Certain fabrics
Plastic and rubber products
Cigarette smoke
Cleaning products
Certain perfumes
Pollens from grass, mold, dust, weed, trees, and mildew
Products used to control fleas
Fleas
If your cat shows any symptoms of allergy, take him to the vet or find a treatment to relieve the symptoms.
Symptoms of Cat Allergies
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your cat most like suffers from an allergic reaction to something. The following symptoms are apart from itchiness and scratchiness. They are:
Coughing or sneezing
Wheezing or difficulty breathing
Puffy, watery eyes
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Ear infections or scratching around the ears
Inflammation in the throat
Swollen paws
Skin allergies are officially known as atopic dermatitis. This condition could lead to a chronic skin condition in any place on the body. But often it is around the ears, eyes, and groin area. It could also be between the toes and around the ankles.
When your cat shows any of the following signs, he could struggle with allergies
Cat scratches a lot at their skin or fur
Other signs of itching
Rubbing excessively against furniture or objects
Constant licking and grooming
Shaking of the head a lot
Developing bald and matted spots
Itchiness along their back or the base of the tail (often related to fleas)
The constant scratching and licking will eventually lead to inflammation of the skin. The skin could become scaly and dry looking that finally ends up with sores that might bleed.
How Can You Help Your Cat?
First, before you try anything else, you would want to take your cat to the vet. The medical history of the cat and the type of food it eats is important to determine the possible cause of the allergy. Allergies are not curable and often bring life changes that involve dietary changes, and medication to help the allergy is often part of the deal. It will also help to keep the area dust free and clean. If possible, wash your cat regularly.
Using CBD to Treat Cat Allergies
CBD or cannabidiol is one of the cannabinoids with many medicinal properties. When it interacts with the cat’s receptors in its endocannabinoid system, it brings relief to allergic reactions such as inflammation. CBD is recognized as one of the most potent anti-inflammatories around. When cannabidiol enters the body, it interacts with the CB2 receptors. The receptors are found in high concentrations all over the body in the skin, muscles, organs, and immune system. When it interacts with the endocannabinoid system, it plays an important role in treating inflammation.
Dermatitis is a common skin allergy symptom with an inflammatory character. When the cat keeps on scratching, it often leads to inflammation and open sores that can lead to infection. The good news is that CBD can help the immune system of the cat to deal with the inflammation. CBD helps to balance out the immune hypersensitivity. It plays an important role in suppressing the immune hyperactivity that indicates allergies.
CBD has also antimicrobial properties. Microbes are often at the core of environmental and food allergies. CBD is also very effective in treating skin conditions, like dermatitis caused by allergies.
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