We all want our cats to be healthy and happy, but sometimes things happen which we least expect, like for example, allergies. Perhaps you have seen your cats scratching incessantly, or maybe they seem to have continual ear infections. Either of these things could indicate that they are allergic to something. Of course, it could also mean that they have another medical issue and the only person to help you resolve this is your vet.
If your cats have allergies, it means that their immune systems are sensitive to everyday substances. Even though these things are common in their environment, cats with allergies will have extreme reactions to them. Their bodies will attempt to get rid of these substances, but while doing so, will have any number of symptoms.
The most common allergy in cats is from flea bites. Flea bites cause your cats to continually scratch themselves and they will probably end up with very sensitive skin. Cats which spend a lot of time outside are the most prone to developing flea allergies.
In addition, cats can be allergic to trees, grass, weed, mold, and dust which is a bit similar to our getting hay fever. Prescription drugs, perfumes, cleaning products, cigarette smoke, different types of fabric, and plastic materials can also bring on allergy attacks.
Around 10% of all allergies are food related, but they actually account for 60% of all causes of itching and scratching. If you think that your cats might be allergic to some kind of food, the best thing to do is to change their diet to a hypoallergenic cat food.
We all want our cats to be healthy and happy, but sometimes things happen which we least expect, like for example, allergies. Perhaps you have seen your cats scratching incessantly, or maybe they seem to have continual ear infections. Either of these things could indicate that they are allergic to something. Of course, it could also mean that they have another medical issue and the only person to help you resolve this is your vet.
The most common allergy in cats is from flea bites. This causes lots of scratching and your cats will probably end up with very sensitive skin. Around 10% of all allergies are food related, but they actually account for 60% of all causes of itching and scratching. If you think that your cats might be allergic to some kind of food, the best thing to do is to change their diet to a hypoallergenic cat food.
Buyer's Guide
In this guide I will be telling you about the best hypoallergenic foods that are out there. Most of them have limited ingredients which is what you want for your cats. You will find that many cheaper cat foods have long lists of ingredients and often empty fillers like wheat, corn, and soy which can cause allergies..
Hypoallergenic cat food sometimes contains different sources of protein like duck, venison, or rabbit, and carbs in the form of peas and potatoes. Your cats are unlikely to be allergic to these foods as they are not commonly used in commercial cat food. In fact they can become allergic to something they have eaten for years. It is a good idea to rotate different flavors of food to help minify allergic reactions.
My top pick of dry hypoallergenic food is Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet Green Peas & Salmon. It has just one source of protein and one of carbohydrates, so cutting down the chances of getting allergies.
My top pick of wet hypoallergenic food is I and Love and You Oh my Cod! Pate Grain-Free Canned Cat food. Most wet foods have water as the first ingredient, but this has cod. It is important for cats to get as much protein as possible as they are natural carnivores.
What is the Difference Between a Food Allergy and Food Intolerance?
Food allergies usually cause itchy skin, hair loss, and excessive scratching. Food intolerance on the other hand, usually manifests itself in gastrointestinal problems. Both can be helped by changing to a hypoallergenic cat food. If your cat has a food allergy, his immune system will be affected and it can be very serious, even life-threatening. On the other hand, food intolerance is usually just limited to digestive problems and generally isn’t as serious, although very unpleasant for your cats.
What are the Symptoms of Cat Allergies?
We have already mentioning scratching and itching. If your cats scratch incessantly at the base of their tails or on their backs, this is probably a sign of a flea allergy. They can also have itchy and runny eyes or ear infections. They may snore and this can be caused by an inflamed throat. Paw chewing or swollen paws can also point towards an allergic reaction as can vomiting and diarrhea. Sneezing and coughing can indicate that your cats have asthma.
Cats who are allergic to food will commonly scratch their heads and necks, as well as possibly having stomach troubles. Food allergies can occur at any age and while your cats may have happily eaten the same food for years, they can suddenly become allergic to one of the ingredients.
Treating Food Allergies in Cats
The only way to treat a food allergy is by removing the allergen. This is easier said than done when it comes to cats as it could be anything on a long list of ingredients particularly if they have been eating commercially produced cat food.
However, it is interesting to note that some of the common culprits are things that your cats probably eat; chicken, fish, beef, eggs, and grains like wheat, corn, and soy. They could even be allergic to more than one ingredient.
If you talk to your vet, he will do a physical examination and if he thinks the allergy has been caused by food, will probably recommend an elimination diet. Your cats will have to change cat foods to one of the hypoallergenic ones and remain on this for 12 weeks until the possible allergens are gone. Then you will need to introduce each potential allergen to their food one at a time until you find the culprit.
You may have to spend at least a week introducing the new food before starting the new diet. Cats are creatures of habit and may not like the hypoallergenic food. Start by giving them a little of the replacement food together with the old and gradually increase the amount until they are only eating the new food.
Benefits of Buying Hypoallergenic Cat Food
The most obvious benefit of hypoallergenic cat food is that it helps to get rid of and also to prevent allergic reactions.
Another benefit is that it is one of the safest foods out there. In fact, here’s no need to wait until your cats are scratching and itching or even losing hair. Feed the special diet in advance to stop allergic reactions from happening.
You don’t really know how much your cats are suffering even if they only have mild allergies. A new diet will give them more energy and will persuade them to eat more, which is especially beneficial if they have been losing weight. Cats who are suffering may be put of their food and if they have diarrhea and vomiting, they won’t be getting many benefits from their food..
Finally, your cats should live longer. Allergies can damage their health and they could lose months, if not years, of their lives. Obviously, you will want to spend as much quality time with them so feed them hypoallergenic cat food. It could make all the difference between life and an early death.
Digestive Problems
Some cats with allergies do experience problems with their digestion. This can seriously compromise the ability of your cats to absorb the nutrients they are eating. This is another great reason to give them hypoallergenic cat food. The food should be mainly protein, with a moderate amount of fat and a low level of carbohydrates. Carbs should also be highly digestible and there shouldn’t contain empty fillers like corn, wheat, or soy..
Wet or Dry Food?
An important question is whether to buy wet hypoallergenic cat food or dry. It does come in both varieties. Personally I feel that if they like wet food, give them wet food, and the same goes for dry food. If they are used to having both, they should carry on in the same fashion. It will make it much easier for them to get used to the new food. Be careful if you give treats as it’s not much good spending more money on hypoallergenic cat food and then give your cats rich treats which they could be allergic to. There are, however, some treats out there specially formulated for cats with allergies so look out for them.
What to Look For When Choosing a Hypoallergenic Cat Food
When choosing a hypoallergenic cat food for cats with either sensitive skin or digestive problems, always look at the label and read the ingredients. If you are looking online, the ingredients should be listed as well. Make sure that the allergen isn’t down there. Also, check if the food contains empty fillers and other unhealthy ingredients. Be careful with hypoallergenic formulas offered by low cost companies. You might find cheap and unnecessary ingredients in the food. It’s also a good idea to check if the food has an AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy. They set standards for both feed and pet products. If they have endorsed it, you can rest assured that it is a quality cat food..
Checklist for Best Cat Foods for Cats with Allergies
- If your cats start itching or have hair loss, see your vet as it might be an allergy
- If your cats have allergies, put them on an elimination diet first
- During an elimination diet, cats should eat hypoallergenic food
- Hypoallergenic cat food is safe and helps to extend the lifespan of your cats.
- Sometimes an allergy will produce digestive problems as well
- Hypoallergenic cat food comes in both wet and dry forms
FAQ
Why Should I Put My Cat on a Limited Ingredient Diet?
If your cats have been showing signs of allergies, such as itching, hair loss, and perhaps vomiting, the solution could be to put them on a limited ingredient diet. Commercial cat food generally contains a large number of ingredients and can have more than one protein or carbohydrate. There could be plenty of allergens in amongst all these ingredients. The best thing to do is to limit the amounts of different proteins and carbs. It is best to choose a food which has a novel protein, one that your cats have never had before. It is a little difficult if your cats have been having a wide variety of flavors, but you do need to look at this as there is no point giving them a protein that they have had before.
It may be a small thing, but choosing a limited ingredient cat food lessens your shopping time. There are less ingredients to look at so you should be able to choose a suitable cat food much more quickly.
Should I Rechallenge?
It can take up to eight weeks before you see any positive results from the limited ingredient diet. If it has worked and your cats aren’t itching anymore and have a better coat and skin, or if they were vomiting before, but now aren’t, it means that the new diet has worked. The next step to consider is whether to rechallenge or not. This means introducing them to their previous foods to see if they become ill again. You may not want to do this as I know that you, like me, don’t like to see your cats suffering. However, this is the only way to find out what the allergen is.The ideal way to do this is by adding one ingredient at a time, and it is best doing this with fresh meat and fish. Note that it can take up to two weeks for the allergy to reappear.Then you will be able to plan the diet of your cats around what they are not allergic to.
What are the Benefits of Natural Nutrition Versus Added Ingredients?
Natural nutrition means that you have less chance of getting chemical additives or fillers like wheat, corn, and soy in the food you buy for your cats. This is so much better for cats with allergies who can easily be intolerant of man-made products. This also goes for genetically modified products. With natural nutrition there is more of a chance of getting organic products and natural digestive enzymes which are so much better for your cats. Chemical products are more difficult for your cats to break down and for them to get their proper nutrition. This of course can lead to allergies, and in addition, these chemical products are the reason why many cats are now harmed by vitamin toxicity. However, there is very little chance of this happening with natural food. With no preservatives or additives your cats will probably avoid allergies or sensitivities related to food.
It is interesting to note that cats can actually choose the best food for themselves. They may be tempted by flavor first, but they eventually work out the correct amount of fat and protein they should have. If your cats turn their noses up at commercially produced food, it should tell you that they are not getting what their bodies need and it is time to change their diets..