Recently, foreign media reported that some veterinarians pointed out that many of the allergens that cause human suffering may also afflict our pets, including pollen. Miliary dermatitis may occur in cats with allergies, and symptoms are small pimples or hair loss, usually around the head or neck.

Spring is here, along with warm weather, longer days, and another unwelcome phenomenon: allergies. Spring is also the best time to change sides and look at allergies from a pet's perspective. So, this Weird Animal Q&A is answering the question posed by Emily Tye of the National Geographic Society: Are cats allergic to dogs? And the other way around? And we want to know—they do Not allergic to us?

The answer to all three questions is yes, says Raelynn Farnsworth of Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Although rare, it is possible for dogs to be allergic to cat and human dander, and vice versa. Anything can trigger an allergy. Dander is made up of tiny cells in hair, fur, or feathers— While we most often hear it associated with pets, humans also produce dander. Other common pet allergens include flea saliva and certain foods.

In dogs, the most common clinical symptoms are dermatitis and itching, Farnsworth said. Other signs may be sneezing and runny nose. Miliary dermatitis, a small pimple or hair loss, can occur in cats with allergies, usually around the head or neck, but she said it can also appear elsewhere. It's important to see how long your pet's symptoms last—for example, symptoms that persist over the years may indicate an allergy to the food or to a non-seasonal element in the environment.

Fortunately, cats can be tested for a variety of environmental allergens, both seasonal and non-seasonal, says Christine Cain of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. We routinely test dogs for cat dander allergy, she said. It involves putting a small amount of the allergen under the skin to test for an allergic reaction, just like a human allergy test.

Generally, veterinarians test for common allergens, like dust mites and Human dander, or things that are encountered in the environment, such as feathers, wool or pollen, said Farnsworth of Washington State University. They're often the cause of allergies, but Farnsworth said pets, just like humans, can be allergic to anything, so it's sometimes hard to find the culprit with normal testing.

So what do you do if your pet is allergic to you?

“If your pet is allergic to human dander, the owner will be a little bit upset,” Cain said. But thankfully you don't have to separate from your pet. If we come across pets that are allergic to human dander, they're usually allergic to other allergens, she says. This means that a veterinarian can treat a pet's allergy by administering a vaccine or oral drops containing a small amount of the allergen. This adjusts the pet's physique and makes it immune to allergens.

Of course, it's also possible that the cat is actually feigning allergies to keep you from having dogs.