My cat might have hayfever

Our three-year-old cat has lost hair on her belly and inside her legs due to licking. The vet has started treatment for fleas, although we have never seen them. Other possibilities suggested are a food allergy or hayfever. We didn’t know cats can get hayfever - is it common?

- OUR VET DAVID GRANT

It is common in both people and companion animals. In people, depending on the locality, it can vary between 10-30%. Dogs are not far behind with a frequently quoted figure of 10-20%. Hay fever-type disease in cats is thought to be much less common, with an estimated 2-5%.