A vet explains what triaditis is, what causes it, and the treatment for triaditis in cats

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This is especially true for triaditis, a complex condition that occurs when multiple organs in the gastrointestinal system develop problems concurrently.

Dr. Sue Lim, an assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, describes the complex factors leading to triaditis in cats and how owners can best support their pets through this disease.

The Culprit: Internal Inflammations

Triaditis is complex because it involves the simultaneous inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), the liver (cholangitis), and/or the intestines (chronic enteropathy).

“It is not necessary for cats to have irritation in all three organs for the condition to arise; it can be a combination of any two of the organs,” Lim said.

Signs & Sypmtoms of Triaditis in Cats

Whether a cat is experiencing inflammation of all three organs or only two, common symptoms include dehydration, lethargy, loss of appetite abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Symptoms can vary but often include lethargy, poor appetite, dehydration, and diarrhea.

“Clinical signs are pretty vague and non-specific and will vary slightly between patients with specific components of triaditis,” Lim said.

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Suspected Factors Causing Triaditis in Cats

It is unclear how inflammation in one organ can affect other organs, according to Lim, but the anatomy of cats may play a role. The close physical connection between the pancreas, liver and intestines is a suspected influence in the rise of triaditis.

“In a dog, the common bile duct, which carries bile from the liver to the intestines, and pancreatic duct empty into the intestines separately,” Lim said. “In a cat, the pancreatic duct and common bile duct join before exiting into the intestines. This makes it easier for any bacterial infection from the intestines to enter the liver or pancreas.”

This anatomical difference is also why dogs are rarely at risk of developing triaditis.

Can You Prevent Triaditis in Cats?

According to Lim, there is nothing an owner can do to prevent this disease.

“We don’t know the risk factors causing triaditis; therefore, specific preventative steps cannot be taken,” Lim said. “We now know that the anatomy of the cat predisposes them to it and there are both good and bad bacteria in the GI tract. The problem arises when these bacteria are no longer confined within the GI tract and gain access to places they are not supposed to be, leading to infection and inflammation.”

Confirming a Diagnosis of Triaditis in Your Cat

Diagnosing triaditis begins by identifying which organs are being affected; to make that determination, Lim recommends a combination of tests:

• Blood and urine tests to rule out other disorders, such as kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency that may mimic clinical signs associated with triaditis
• Fecal exams to rule out parasites
• Serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI) — a test that recognizes abnormal levels of pancreatic enzymes in blood
• Diagnostic imaging, such as abdominal ultrasound, to evaluate the pancreas, liver and intestines

If results are still inconclusive, a veterinarian may recommend doing more invasive tests such as sampling the gallbladder to look for infection and conducting biopsies of the intestines, liver and pancreas.

Managing Triaditis in Cats

Once triaditis is diagnosed, management typically includes controlling symptoms and preventing aggravation of other organs.

“Currently there are no specific treatments for triaditis,” Lim said. “We manage each component of triaditis either symptomatically or specifically.”

Supportive therapy options include:

• Fluids
• Pain management
• Control of vomiting/nausea
• Managing complications
• Treating comorbidities, such as diabetes, hepatic lipidosis or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)

Specific treatments for each affected organ may include diet trials, antibiotics or immunosuppressive therapy. Unfortunately, there is currently no specific therapy for pancreatitis, but the VMBS continues to present new research findings in the search for beneficial treatment plans.

Because triaditis is a health risk for every breed of cat, it is vital for owners to stay vigilant about their feline friend’s daily well-being. The sooner an organ’s inflammation is managed by a veterinarian, the sooner the pet can feel relief.

As a cat owner myself, I have extensive hands-on experience caring for cats with food and environmental allergies. In addition to the veterinarians my cats have seen over the years, I also consulted with Dr. Hannah Hart, a veterinarian with PetMD by Chewy, to compile our top recommendations for treating feline respiratory, digestive, and skin allergy symptoms, as well as supplements to help boost and maintain your cat’s immune system, which can help control allergy symptoms. 

When it comes to supplements, we strongly recommend seeking products made in the United States. You can also look for the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) seal of approval. To display the NASC seal, companies must meet several requirements, including having strong quality control, a system to monitor products, submitting to random testing, and meeting strict labeling guidelines.

Vets often recommend a good probiotic supplement to help relieve feline allergy symptoms—and these Nutramax Proviable-DC Probiotic & Prebiotic Capsules have been recommended to me personally by several different vets. While many probiotics on the market top out in the hundreds of millions of colony-forming units (CFUs) of live, active cultures, this probiotic blows them out of the water with a whopping 5 billion CFUs. 

Dr. Hart also notes that this probiotic comes in a small capsule that can “be given as is or opened up to sprinkle on food” or mixed into a lickable treat without your cat really noticing. Additionally, she notes that “this powerful probiotic also contains prebiotic fiber,” which helps keep those active strains of probiotic bacteria well-fed and thriving.

Although humans only require about 50 million CFUs for gut health, cats typically require between one and five billion CFUs—more if they are currently on antibiotics or experiencing a gastrointestinal issue. The high number of CFUs in this product means you’ll be able to deliver a higher number of probiotics with fewer pills, which is always a plus when it comes to trying to sneak a cat medicine on the regular. 

One of the downsides to treating allergy symptoms in cats with probiotics is that it’s not an immediate cure and takes time to show effects. It also requires daily use for maximum impact and continued maintenance, which can be pricey—but since there are benefits to your cat’s overall health, it isn’t too hard to justify the cost.  

Comes in 30-count or 80-count blister packs

Acute cat allergies may be treated with a product you could already have at home. Several human medications are safe for cats, ranging from sedatives and SSRIs to allergy pills. Recently, while at the vet for my cat Bo’s seasonal allergies, the vet mentioned that cats can tolerate some of the same antihistamines that humans take, including loratadine, also known as Claritin.

She said they can tolerate Benadryl and Zyrtec, too. I’ve chosen Claritin—the name brand over the generic loratadine—because I have personally given this to my cat with no negative effects. Benadryl is not FDA-approved for veterinary use (yet), and I’ve never taken Zyrtec myself. 

For some cats, Claritin can treat sinus and respiratory-related symptoms (sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose) caused by environmental allergies. It’s available over the counter, but you must first consult your vet to make sure it is an appropriate treatment and find out the correct dosage. Your vet will also be able to tell you what side effects to watch out for, such as excessive sleepiness. 

Vets should also be consulted so you can double-check the correct formulation. For example, you’ll absolutely need to avoid any cold and flu formulations or decongestant versions since these are unsafe for cats.

Always consult with your veterinarian before administering

How We Picked

Additional picks on this list were chosen because they were recommended by our expert vet source, Dr. Hart, and based on research into how to manage specific types of cat allergy symptoms. I also took into account product reviews of how well certain allergy medicines performed for other cat owners and considered suggestions from colleagues at The Spruce Pets. I focused on effectiveness, ease of administration, how the medicines works, and the type of allergy symptoms they are designed to treat to find the best options.

More We Recommend

For Nasal Congestion: Whether your cat has a cold or is sniffly and sneezy from allergies, this homeopathic treatment will help clear up their respiratory distress. This dropper contains roughly 90 doses, and the number of doses you’ll need to give your cat will depend on how severe their symptoms are. I like that these drops don’t need to be administered as nasal drops (which would likely not sit well with most cats). Instead, you can simply squeeze the needed number of drops directly into your cat’s mouth, water bowl, or food. 

This company was started by veterinarians, and it’s comforting that the product is safe to use for senior cats and kittens and has no known side effects. Although these nasal drops are effective (and you can stop using them when symptoms stop), the road to recovery can be time-consuming with recommended dosing three times daily, or up to every 15 minutes for severe cases.

The easy-squeeze dropper bottle is akin to an eye drop bottle for humans. Drop control is good, so there’s no need to worry about accidentally overdosing unless you squeeze the bottle extremely hard. Plus, the 15-milliliter size is perfect for slipping into your pocket or purse, and is TSA-friendly. 

Squeeze bottle for easy application

For Flea Allergies: One of the top allergies in cats is fleas! Cats are allergic to flea saliva, so when a flea bites a cat, an adverse reaction occurs. Unfortunately, fleas are a common pest attracted to cats, so the best way to treat a cat with a flea allergy is with a flea protection treatment, like Revolution Plus. 

Revolution Plus is a topical medicine that is applied monthly to the back of your cat’s neck. It absorbs into their bloodstream and works to kill fleas and flea larvae while also preventing fleas from laying eggs, stopping the life cycle. It’s also known to reduce the signs of skin irritation from flea allergies. Aside from causing allergic reactions, fleas carry diseases that can be passed between animals and to humans, too.

My cat isn’t allergic to fleas (I don’t think, anyway—he’s never had them), but I still use Revolution Plus to keep him flea-free. I’m also a huge fan of the fact that it’s also a preventative for ticks, heartworm, hookworm, roundworm, ear mites, and lice. That’s definitely a great bang for your buck when it comes to protecting your kitty against pests.

However, if you know you’ve got a flea infestation, you’ll need to treat that separately, as Revolution Plus only works to protect and kill fleas on your pet. 

Also protects against heartworm, hookworm, ear mites, and more

For Eye Inflammation: This lysine gel tackles what I like to call “head” allergy symptoms, like watery eyes, congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and eye squinting. Where it really shines, though, is nipping eye issues in the bud.

This product is a lysine supplement that helps to boost your cat’s immune system, particularly its eye and respiratory health. It can be used every day, and comes in a maple-flavored gel form (caution: it can be quite sticky) that can be fed directly to your cat.

Each five-ounce tube has about 50 servings’ worth of product. I like that the company is owned by a vet, and that it’s certified by the National Animal Supplement Council. It’s also safe to use on cats at least 1 month old.

While I never guessed that maple was a favorite flavor for cats, most cats gobble this gel up (though it’s not a hit with all of them). Since this is a supplement, it will take effect over time and is meant to be used on a regular basis to achieve optimal eye health and immunity to lower cat allergy symptoms. 

NASC-certified supplement product

For Maintaining Skin Health: If you want to trick your cat into a healthier, more allergy-resistant skin and coat, these Pet Honesty Skin and Coat Allergy Relief Chews are often mistaken by cats as treats that are crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside. 

These supplement chews were developed by a nutritionist. Ingredients like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins E and C work toward improving your cat’s coat and immune system. “Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that help protect against cellular damage,” Dr. Hart says. “Vitamin E in particular helps to promote healthy skin and fur.”

After adding these treats—we mean supplement chews—into their cat’s diet, owners noticed a marked improvement in their cat’s fur. Dandruff flakes diminished or disappeared, and the skin appeared to be less irritated and itchy. My biggest qualm with this product is that there are two common cat allergies in the ingredients: chicken and barley (cats on a grain-free diet may especially react to grain ingredients). 

Provides vitamin C, vitamin E, and antioxidants

For Histamine Maintenance: Don’t want to give your cat a prescription or human antihistamines? These Zesty Paws Aller-Immune Bites are bacon-flavored supplements containing astragalus root. According to Dr. Hart, astragalus root “helps to maintain normal histamine levels in the body—sort of a natural antihistamine” that “may be helpful for cats with seasonal allergies.”

We’re also big fans of the antioxidant ingredients that protect against cellular damage and “thus promote a healthy skin barrier and respiratory function,” as Dr. Hart says, and lysine, which supports ocular health.

For flavor, this product uses cane molasses (I’m seeing a sweet, syrupy trend), pork liver, dried cheese, and natural bacon flavor. It’s a hit or miss, with some owners reporting their cats can’t get enough and others saying their cats refuse to eat it or get sick. Each container contains 60 chews, enough to last between one to two months, depending on dosage. 

NASC-certified supplement

Best Dry Cat Food for Allergies: Purina Pro Plan LiveClear is both vet-recommended and a top-rated allergy-reducing dry cat food on Amazon, with nearly 9,000 five-star ratings. The formula neutralizes Fel d 1, a common allergen in a cat’s saliva, skin, coat, and glands, with a key protein sourced from eggs. According to the brand, this can significantly reduce the amount of allergens in cat fur by an average of 47 percent after three weeks of use.

While this food is not meant to reduce cats’ allergic reactions—it’s intended to help the humans who live with them—it is fortified with prebiotics and probiotics to support immunity and gut health. All three flavors of the allergen-reducing formula are high in protein and low in calories. There are also specific formulas for sensitive skin and stomach, puppies, seniors, and adult indoor cats. However, there are no grain-free options.

Neutralizes a major allergen found in all cats

Why Trust The Spruce Pets? 

For this article, K. Alex Beaven collected expert insight on cat allergies and cat allergy medicines from Dr. Hannah Hart, a veterinarian with PetMD by Chewy. She also did additional research and relied on her own personal experience dealing with a cat who has several food intolerances and environmental allergies, as well as her previous cat, who had skin allergy reactions. Alex has also written stories on the best probiotics for cats, the best lickable cat treats, and the best cat toys for The Spruce Pets.

Just like you, your cat may occasionally cough a time or two, and you don’t necessarily need to be concerned. However, if your cat’s coughing is becoming a regular ordeal or your cat seems to be having difficulty breathing, it’s time to rule out medical causes of cat coughing. Many causes of cat coughing are manageable with proper intervention, but some can be life-threatening.

Find out medical causes of coughing in cats and what you should do if you’re noticing this concerning symptom.

Common Causes of Cat Coughing

Cat coughing occurs due to irritation in the airways, including the trachea (windpipe), airways leading into the lungs, or the lungs themselves. The cough can be dry, or the cough can sound wet. Sometimes, the cough ends with your cat gagging something up. 

The following are common causes of coughing in cats:

• Hairballs: While the retching up of a hairball isn’t a true cough, we’ve included it here because it’s commonly interpreted by pet parents as “coughing”. What your cat is doing is actually closer to vomiting than coughing.
• Respiratory infections: Bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections can all cause coughing in cats. This can be due to swelling and irritation in the airways, spasms in the airways, and increased mucus production in the airways. Infections can be restricted to the upper respiratory system or can extend deeper into the lungs, causing pneumonia.
• Feline asthma: When a cat has asthma, their airways become inflamed and constricted, and they develop mucus buildup within the airways. This all causes the cat to cough. Currently, it’s believed that asthma develops due to inhaled allergens.
• Heartworms: Coughing and asthma-like attacks are common symptoms of heartworms in cats. Cats can have an inflammatory reaction to migrating immature heartworms (heartworm-associated respiratory disease or HARD). Dying adult worms can also cause a dramatic respiratory response that may manifest as coughing, open-mouth breathing, and collapse. Unfortunately, the only symptom of heartworms in cats is sometimes sudden death.
• Tumors: Tumors in the airways, lungs, or chest can cause coughing. This can occur due to direct pressure on the airways or due to the production of fluid in or around the lungs. These tumors are more common in cats with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Other symptoms to watch for in your coughing cat include:

When to See a Vet

You should see your veterinarian if your cat is coughing regularly or has signs of a respiratory infection, like discharge from the eyes or nose. It’s very important to seek a professional diagnosis for your cat to ensure you’re giving your cat the best treatment for their specific condition. Some of the conditions that cause coughing can mimic each other. For example, it’s common for feline heartworm disease to get misdiagnosed as feline asthma. 

Seek emergency attention if your cat is collapsing, has a bluish tint to their tongue or gums, is open-mouth breathing with no obvious cause (such as exercise or anxiety), appears to be in pain, or is coughing up blood. 

Home Remedies and Treatments

First off, if your cat is regularly coughing, you’ll want to see a veterinarian to determine the cause before relying on any home remedies or treatments.  The most effective treatments for coughing are those prescribed by a veterinarian.

However, depending on the cause, you may be able to use one of these at-home management techniques to help ease your cat’s symptoms:

• Steam: If your cat is regularly coughing due to something like a recurrent upper respiratory infection, exposure to steam may anecdotally help loosen congestion and clear airways. You can do this by shutting your cat in the bathroom with you while you take a hot shower. You can also use a humidifier to add moisture to the air.
• Antihistamines: Some antihistamines, like chlorpheniramine, can be purchased over the counter. However, you’ll want to speak with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate dosage to give your cat. You should not give your cat any medication without getting it approved by your pet’s veterinarian.
• Lubricating products: If your cat has hairballs, an over-the-counter product may help move fur through your cat’s gastrointestinal tract. You can also help your cat by regularly brushing them, especially if they have longer fur.

Prevention Tips

You won’t be able to prevent all causes of coughing in cats, but the following tips can help keep your cat cough-free:

• Keep your cat on year-round parasite prevention, including prevention that protects your cat from heartworms.
• Keep your cat’s vaccines up to date.
• See your veterinarian for regular checkups. 
• Do not smoke indoors with your cat.
• Avoid using essential oil diffusers, which may cause respiratory issues in cats.
• Avoid spraying chemicals in proximity to your cat, including cleaning chemicals
• Brush your cat regularly to prevent hairballs.
• Avoid any known allergens for your cat.
• Keep your cat indoors.

If your cat is coughing regularly or experiencing difficulty breathing, it’s important to rule out medical causes of coughing. Some causes, like heartworms, can be life-threatening for cats. Make sure to contact your veterinarian if you’re concerned at all about your cat’s cough.