Feline atopic dermatitis
Also known as Feline atopic skin syndrome, Environmental allergy.
An allergy to things in the environment such as house dust mites or pollen. It shows up as itching, bald patches from licking and lesions such as eosinophilic plaques, and is sometimes linked to asthma.
- System
- Skin and coat
- Is it urgent?
- Not usually
- Spreads to other cats
- No
- Spreads to people
- No
- Typical cost in Spain
- Diagnosis, €100–300; treatment, €20–80 a month.
Symptoms
- Licks until bald patches appear on the belly or legs
- Itching on the face and neck
- Red plaques on the skin
- Ulcers on the upper lip
- Sneezing or coughing in some cats
Causes
A predisposition to react to environmental allergens.
How it is diagnosed
By ruling things out: fleas and food allergy are excluded first. Allergy tests are used to choose immunotherapy, not to diagnose.
Treatment
Itch control with medicines prescribed by the vet, immunotherapy in some cases and skin care.
No doses, on purpose: any medicine must be prescribed by your vet for your cat.
Prognosis
It is chronic, but most cats can be well controlled.
Prevention
It cannot be prevented. Keeping up flea control and reducing dust at home helps.
Breeds at higher risk
It is described more often in these breeds. That does not mean all of their cats will have it, nor that a moggy is free of it.
Frequently asked questions
Is feline atopic dermatitis contagious?
No. It does not spread to other cats or to people.
Can feline atopic dermatitis be cured?
It is chronic, but most cats can be well controlled. Itch control with medicines prescribed by the vet, immunotherapy in some cases and skin care.
How much does it cost to treat feline atopic dermatitis?
As a guide for Spain in 2026: Diagnosis, €100–300; treatment, €20–80 a month. Prices vary a lot between clinics and cities, and out-of-hours emergencies cost more.
Which breeds are most at risk?
It is described more often in Abyssinian and Devon Rex. That does not mean every cat of those breeds will have it, nor that a moggy is free of it.
More in skin and coat
Educational content from Michipedia. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a vet: if you have any doubt about your cat's health, ask. Costs are a guide for Spain in 2026.