Can cats get seasonal allergies?

Yes. Cats can develop atopic dermatitis, an allergic skin reaction to inhaled or contact allergens like pollen, mold spores and dust mites, the feline version of hay fever, except in cats it shows up on the skin more than in sneezing. Signs cluster around itching, over-grooming, small scabby bumps and hair loss, often worse in spring and fall when pollen counts spike, though an indoor cat with dust or mold sensitivity can have symptoms year-round. It looks similar to a food allergy or flea allergy on the surface, which is exactly why a vet usually needs to rule those out before treating it as seasonal.

When to call a vet: Persistent itching that follows a seasonal pattern is worth a vet visit to distinguish it from food or flea allergies, which are treated differently.