Pierre’s skin allergy saga is still unfolding. After trying food changes, calming aids, and multiple vet visits, we’re now testing Apoquel alongside salmon oil and a soothing balm. This is our real-life update on managing a stubborn case of feline fur drama – no magic fixes, just trial, error, and a lot of fur. While we haven’t found the perfect cat skin allergy treatment yet, we’re slowly piecing together what helps and what doesn’t.
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Pierre’s Skin Allergy Saga: Apoquel, Salmon Oil & One Angry Flower
So, here we are again. If you’ve read Pierre’s overgrooming tale, you know that my sweet-but-sensitive cat started plucking his fur like a wool-hungry gremlin after a stressful move. We thought we had cracked the case after discovering his food allergy in 2024. Hypoallergenic dry food became the new normal, and we thought we’d found the perfect cat skin allergy treatment. Sometimes, dietary tweaks help with allergy management too.
Oh, how naïve we were.
Older cats can be more prone to allergies and skin sensitivities – just like Pierre. As cats age, their immune systems may weaken, making them more reactive to food, stress, or even grooming products. Learn how to care for senior cats to keep them comfortable and itch-free.
Sensitive Soul, Stressed Traveler
We blamed the hair-plucking on his usual sensitivity. Pierre is scared of rain tapping the windows, of car engines, of thunder (one time he peed himself during a summer storm – yes, that bad). Add a 2800 km round trip to the mix, and his nerves were more fried than a forgotten tofu schnitzel.
We tried everything: pheromone diffusers, calming valerian spot-ons, cat chill pills (three types!), skin-soothing balms, and solemn promises never to move house again for the next two years. In our ongoing search for the right cat skin allergy treatment, we even added a touch of floral drama: Pierre now wears a violet flower collar. Chic and angry.
Cats often overgroom due to stress, not just allergies. If your cat is licking bald spots or acting twitchy, it might be their way of coping. Learn the behavioral clues that helped me understand what Pierre was trying to tell me – silently but dramatically, of course.
The Vet Visit (Again)
But despite the salmon oil, CBD oil for cats and the spa-like routine, Pierre started pulling out fur like there was a prize at the end. So off we went to the vet. The diagnosis? Severe allergy.
To what? No clue. Could be mites. Could be the new cat litter. Could be my laundry detergent. Or maybe even existential dread – he’s that kind of cat.
Common Cat Allergy Triggers
- Dust mites (ugh, those microscopic pests!)
- Flea saliva (even one bite can trigger massive flare-ups)
- Scented litter or laundry detergent
- Mold spores or pollen
- Food ingredients (beef, chicken, dairy, grains…)
- Cleaning products or air fresheners
- New fabrics or upholstery (yes, even that cute new cat bed)
Apoquel
We’re now trying Apoquel, a medication often used as a cat skin allergy treatment when all else fails. It’s not my dream solution, but at this point, it’s our current hope – and Pierre’s, too (even if he doesn’t know it).
Most vets recommend starting Apoquel at two doses per day for two weeks, then slowly reducing the dose to find the lowest effective level. Some cats stay on it long-term. It’s generally safe, with mild side effects like vomiting or diarrhea – so we’re watching Pierre like a hawk in a flower crown.
Apoquel (oclacitinib) was originally developed for dogs but is now used off-label in cats with chronic itching and allergies. It targets the enzymes that trigger itch and inflammation – without suppressing the entire immune system. Always use it under vet supervision, especially in sensitive cats like Pierre!
Why Not CBD?
Naturally, when exploring every possible cat skin allergy treatment, I gave CBD oil for cats a shot. We tried it for two full weeks, hoping for a miracle – or at least a little less scratching. While Pierre did seem a tiny bit calmer (as in, he ran from the vacuum two seconds later than usual), the itching didn’t improve.
In fact, the fur-plucking might’ve gotten worse – or maybe the allergy was just progressing regardless. Either way, we didn’t see the soothing results so many rave about. So, for now, the CBD experiment is shelved in favor of more targeted approaches.
Some supplements, like functional mushrooms, may help support your cat’s immune system and reduce inflammation. We’re not saying it’s magic, but Pierre started purring again after we introduced these natural boosters.
What We’re Doing Now
Right now, our anti-itch army includes:
- Hypoallergenic dry cat food
- Soothing balm for cat skin
- Salmon oil (just a few drops daily)
- Apoquel
- A very dramatic violet flower collar
- Surolan suspension (because… ear mites are back)
Oh yes, ear mites. I thought we won that battle last summer, but they’ve returned like tiny villains in a bad sequel. So now we’re cleaning his ears twice a day, with love and mild resentment.
The Mite-y Comeback
So, ear mites. I truly believed we left those itchy little gremlins behind last summer. We fought bravely, we cleaned religiously, we thought we won. But just like any bad sequel, they’re back.
Now we’re on round two: armed with Surolan suspension, a steady hand, and mild resentment, we clean Pierre’s ears twice a day. He’s not thrilled. (Let’s be honest, neither am I.) But here’s the unexpected twist: if the cause of all this fur-pulling and scratching chaos turns out to be an ear mite allergy, I will be the happiest cat guardian on the planet.
Why? Because as far as cat skin allergy treatment options go, this would actually be great news. Ear mite allergies might sound dramatic, but they’re surprisingly manageable – and best of all, treatable. No lifetime meds, no mystery triggers, no endless food experiments. Just some ear cleaning, topical treatments, and vigilant follow-ups.
According to VCA Hospitals, ear mites are a common cause of scratching, head-shaking, and skin inflammation in cats. The good news? They’re relatively easy to diagnose and treat.
The Cornell Feline Health Center also notes that while ear mites can cause serious discomfort, they’re not life-threatening – and most cats recover quickly with proper care.
So yes, I’m crossing all my fingers (and Pierre’s angry flower collar) that this is just a simple case of “mites with an attitude.” Compared to everything else we’ve been through? That would feel like winning the allergy lottery.
The Ongoing Mystery
This is not the “we found a cure!” post. It’s more of a “we’re trying this now, and hoping” update. Will Apoquel work long-term? Maybe. Will we ever find the true cause of Pierre’s allergies? Who knows.
What I do know is this: Pierre is a brave little flower, even when angry and with itchy skin covered in healing balm. And as long as he keeps fighting, I will too.
