Cat and dog allergies on the rise as warmer weather arrives

M&S Pet Insurance is warning dog and cat owners about the potential increase in skin and flea allergies affecting their pets as the warmer weather arrives.

Dogs and cats can suffer from allergies in the same way as humans, with the most common affecting the skin. While these allergies are seldom ‘cured', experts are able to help owners manage the symptoms by making the pets' life more comfortable.

M&S Pet Insurance policyholders can seek help and support from a 24-hour advice line. VetfoneTM nurses provide concerned animal lovers with immediate advice on a pet's condition.

Springtime sees an increase in calls from dog and cat owners whose pets are affected by flea allergies and skin allergies due to pollens.

Vetfone Operations Manager, Louise O'Dwyer, said: ‘Allergies in pets can be incredibly frustrating for the owner. The most common allergies we see are those affecting the skin, with the most common symptom being itching. However the respiratory tract can also be affected, leading to wheezing, sneezing or coughing.

‘Just like in humans there are also dietary allergies where the digestive system is affected sometimes resulting in the animal having diarrhoea or vomiting.  M&S Pet Insurance customers who have concerns can contact Vetfone to receive expert advice on a condition and we can decide whether emergency medical treatment is required.'

Allergies affecting dogs and cats:

‘Atopic dermatitis': caused by the animal's immune system being hypersensitive to common substances which they encounter on an everyday basis, such as dust mites. Common signs are the animal excessively grooming by licking or chewing the back legs, paws and abdomen. Cats commonly appear to go bald where they have been excessively grooming, but this is caused where the hairs have been broken off by licking rather than the allergy itself.

Allergy to fleas is also common, particularly once the weather becomes warmer. The allergy here is actually due to the flea's saliva. When this is suspected a strict flea control regime, as well as environmental control, should help alleviate the problem.

Food allergies are less common. It can take a long time to find out what's causing a food allergy, so pets must be placed on very restricted diets in order to narrow down and identify the cause. Common allergens include fish, eggs, whey and even artificial sugars.

M&S Pet Insurance offers cover for cats and dogs from eight weeks old, with no upper age limit. New customers receive a 15% online discount and M&S Cardholders will earn 250 M&S points, when they take out a new policy.

For more information about M&S Pet Insurance or to apply, customers can visit marksandspencer.com/petinsurance.