Best Food To Feed Cats With Allergies

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Food allergies can be a serious problem for our cats. They can lead to some pretty unpleasant symptoms and if left untreated, can lead to serious illness. So it is important to understand how food allergies can affect our cats and what to look for in a food to prevent an allergic reaction in your cat. Here is a rundown of information you need to know about food allergies and some recommendations for the best cat food for allergies.

How To Control Your Cat’s Food Allergies

What Causes Food Allergies In Cats?

Food allergies are a reaction to an ingredient found in their diet. Food allergies are different from food intolerances because they trigger an immune system response. Cats can be born with allergies but they may develop after a surgery or an illness or simply with age. So even if you’ve been feeding your cat the same food for years, they may still develop an allergy. Certain breeds like Siamese and Scottish folds are more prone to food allergies. Allergies in cats are typically triggered by a protein. The most common food allergies among cats are beef, lamb, seafood, corn, soy, dairy products, and wheat gluten. These are all very common ingredients found in cat food. Allergies can last a cat’s entire life so it is crucial that the triggering ingredient is removed from their diet permanently

Symptoms Of Food Allergies In Cats

There are many symptoms of food allergies to watch for in your cat. The most common are:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Bloating and flatulence
Frequent scratching
A dull coat and hair loss
Red, inflamed, or flaking skin
Chronic ear problems
Difficulty breathing or wheezing
Coughing and sneezing
Itchy, runny eyes
Snoring
Chewing or scratching paws

Talk To Your Veterinarian

If you notice any of these symptoms you need to take your cat to the veterinarian immediately before the symptoms worsen and your cat develops a chronic illness. Your veterinarian will test them for different allergies and depending on the severity of their symptoms, may prescribe an anti-inflammatory or antihistamine. Allergy testing can take a while, so in the interim you should feed your cat a cat food specifically designed for cats with allergies. These foods contain hydrolyzed proteins which are proteins that have been broken down into amino acids and are safe for cats with any allergy. Then once the allergen has been found, you can start them on a new food that does not contain the allergen.

Cat Foods With Hydrolyzed Proteins

There are two excellent brands of cat food for allergies that contain hydrolyzed protein. These foods are prescriptive and should be fed under the advisement of your veterinarian:

Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d Feline Low Sensitivity

Hill’s z/d is formulated without any intact animal protein to ensure it does not trigger an allergic reaction. It also contains digestible fats and carbohydrates to support digestive function. Hill’s z/d is also loaded with omega fatty acids to replenish your cat’s skin and fur and antioxidants to strengthen the immune system after responding to the allergen.

ROYAL CANIN Feline Hypoallergenic Hydrolyzed Protein

ROYAL CANIN Hypoallergenic is another great option for cats with allergies. It contains a hydrolyzed, non-meat protein so it does not trigger allergic reaction. It also is loaded with B vitamins and amino acids to help maintain your cat’s skin barrier. ROYAL CANIN also has amino acids, omega-3s, and chelated minerals to replenish your cat’s body after allergen stress.

The Best Cat Food For Cat Allergies

Once you and your veterinarian have figured out what ingredient is triggering your cat’s allergies, you have a couple of great options to feed them to ensure that they are protected. The first is a raw foods diet, which is where you make all their food at home under veterinary guidance. A raw foods diet will ensure that they are never exposed to the ingredients that trigger their allergies. If you are worried about making your cat’s food at home or do not have the time, there are also some great manufacturers that make raw foods diets for cats including:

These raw foods are a great option for cats with allergies because they use all natural ingredients, minimal processing, and are easily digestible. There are also raw food mixes where you add a protein that take the guesswork out of crafting a healthy cat food such as:

Another option to consider is a limited ingredients food. Limited ingredients cat foods contain very few ingredients, so there are less things that can trigger allergies. Some of the best cat food manufacturers make limited ingredient cat foods so they are worth investigating:

Finding the best cat food for allergies can be a long process. First you need to visit your veterinarian to find out what food is triggering the allergy. During the testing period you need to feed your cat a prescriptive allergy formula with hydrolyzed protein, then you need to look into some different cat food options like raw foods or limited ingredient foods. You also need to be careful to monitor your cat for any changes in behavior, appetite, and health. So it can take a while to eventually find a food that works for your cat.

Luckily, there are many great cat foods for allergies like our recommendations. These foods will support your cat’s health without triggering an allergic response. So if your cat has food allergies, don’t worry there are plenty of allergy-friendly options available that are healthy, natural, and great for your cat.