Do you think that your cat has food allergies or food intolerances? If your cat vomits, has diarrhea or flatulence after a meal, they could have allergies.
Here, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about food allergies and intolerances in your cat. We’ll also talk about what to look out for, and provide you with some hypoallergenic cat food alternatives.
Read on to find out more!
Cat Food Allergies and Intolerances
Before delving into any further details, let’s get started with the basics.
Cat food allergies and intolerances are usually caused by a reaction your cat has to a particular ingredient – usually a protein. There are usually two types of adverse reactions – those that involve the immune system and are also known as food allergies, and those that occur within an immune component and are also known as food intolerances.
Regardless of which allergy your cat has, these allergies may last throughout their entire lifespan so it’s important to permanently remove them from your cat’s food.
What Causes Cat Food Allergies and Intolerances?
The usual culprit is the protein source (usually meat), in your cat’s food.
Also, just because your cat doesn’t have an allergic response now it doesn’t mean that they won’t have one in the future. It can take months or years before your cat even develops an allergic response to a particular food.
How Do I know If My Cat Has Food Allergies or Intolerances?
You’ll notice the following signs:
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Hair loss or frequent scratching
- Serious ear problems
- Skin that’s inflamed and red
- Coughing, wheezing, and sneezing
What Are The Ingredients In Cat Food That Cause Allergies?
Some of the ingredients that could be causing these allergies include:
- Food dyes
- Meat and grain meals
- Corn and wheat gluten
- Rendered fat
- Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
- Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
- Propylene Glycol (PG)
Unfortunately, almost all of the commercially available cat food is considered to be feed-grade instead of human-grade.
These feed-grade ingredients are of lower-quality than human-grade food. An example would be meat and grain ‘meals’ containing by-products of dead animals from farms, ranches and other facilities along with fats, and other food waste from restaurants and stores.
As a side note, other food items that you shouldn’t serve your cat include:
- Onions and garlic
- Raw eggs
- Chocolate
- Raw meat and bones
- Alcohol and raw dough
- Dairy products
- Grapes and raisins
- Dog food
- Any other scraps
Finding The Best Hypoallergenic Cat Food
If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to figuring out what food is best for your cat, you should consult with a veterinarian. They’ll help answer some of your queries such as:
- Are there any foods you should avoid giving your cat because of their allergies?
- How does human food affect a cat’s health?
- Any special nutritional concerns that’s needed for your cat
- How often and how much should you be feeding the recommended food to your cat
- What treats you can feed your cat
- How quickly will you see signs of improvement
- Provide you with written instructions on food allergies for your cat
- If you need a follow-up appointment
You can also ask questions pertaining to your cat’s breed. Some examples include:
- What is the best weight for the breed you’re raising?
- What foods is this breed usually allergic to?
- What can you do to boost their immune system?
By having answers to the questions above, you’ll have a better idea of your cat’s physical health and know what parts of their body need strengthening.
Top Rated & Vet Approved Hypoallergenic Cat Foods
If your cat is allergic to their current food, consider purchasing any of these hypoallergenic cat foods listed below. Before purchasing them however, you’d also want to consult with your vet to make sure that it’s an appropriate choice for your furry feline.
Purina Pro Plan
Pro Plan is a great option for cats that have diabetes. Since there’s very low carbohydrate within the food, it’s great at reducing blood glucose variation. There’s also increased Vitamin E to reduce oxidative stress associated with diabetes along with St/Ox to help with supporting urinary health.
Paw & Fur
Paw & Fur produces food that has no added wheat, dairy, soya, pork or beef. Instead, there’s probiotics added to the food to help with digestion along with omega fatty acids and zinc for clear skin and a shiny coat. The addition of Taurine also helps with supporting eye and heart health.
Arden Grange
Another hypoallergenic cat food is the Arden Grange brand that has fresh chicken in the meal. It’s also grain-free, and includes prebiotics, joint supplements and yucca extract. It’s suitable for adult cats, and they’re sure to find it delicious.
James Wellbeloved
This hypoallergenic cat food is made with natural ingredients that have added vitamins and minerals. It’s free from any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives – after all, you only want the best for your cat! It also promotes a healthy, glossy coat and is a dry food that’s completely hypoallergenic.
Happy Cat
You’ll have a happy cat with this naturally hypoallergenic food that has no artificial flavors or colors and is also gluten-free. Made with succulent lamb, it’s extremely tasty and contains top quality digestible protein. Stringent quality checks are also conducted to ensure that your cat’s food is at the highest quality level.
Trovet
The Trovet hypoallergenic venison cat food contains all of the vitamins and minerals your cat needs in optimal quantities. It’s recommended for food allergy food intolerances and is also suitable for kittens that have these conditions.
Wellness Core
Last on the list, we’ve got Wellness Core that serves up grain-free cat food tins that contain turkey or chicken. It’s naturally hypoallergenic and contains no soya, grains, wheat, gluten, dairy, artificial colors, artificial flavors, artificial preservatives, sugar, and pork. It’s a completely well-balanced high protein cat food that comes in different textures – ideal for cats with sensitive stomachs.
As with any allergic reaction, it’s always best to consult a veterinarian to ensure you have the optimal diet plan for your kitty cat.
This list of hypoallergenic cats foods is a good place to start though you’ll likely need to test out different protein sources in order to determine the source of your cat’s food allergies. By switching out to the right hypoallergenic cat food, you’ll be able to alleviate any symptoms your cat has that stems from these allergies.
