Food allergies in cats

Food allergies in cats

Does your cat have signs of food allergies?

If a cat vomits frequently, has diarrhea, irritated skin, a poor coat condition or hair loss, then they may have food allergies. The most common symptoms are digestive upset or skin irritation. These signs can be long-term, recurring and should be noted to your vet.

 

Signs to watch for

Here are a few signs a cat might be experiencing food allergies.

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Red patches, spots or pimples
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Itching, licking, scratching or rubbing
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Flaky or scaly patches
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Bad skin odor
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Hair loss
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Digestive issues
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Scabs, crusts or thickened skin
Grey tabby cat scratching its ear on a wooden floor

What causes allergies?

One of the most difficult things on a cat’s path to recovery is determining what is causing their allergies. Food allergies in cats are caused by a reaction to a particular ingredient, usually a protein. Food allergies may last a lifetime so the ingredient must be permanently removed from your cat’s diet.

 

A cat may react to certain substances in their environment — like grasses, pollen, mold or biting insects. Removing the offending allergen along with a multimodal approach can help reduce the adverse signs of environmental allergies in cats.

Cats may experience reactions to certain ingredients, and they are identified through food elimination trials conducted by your veterinarian. A food elimination trial is a process of finding and removing the food ingredient causing skin issues or digestive upsets.

What can you do?

Managing a cat’s allergies can be a challenging process, and your first step should be visiting your veterinarian. They will help you find the right combination of nutrition, medication, and/or topicals for your cat.

Man crouching to feed an orange cat indoors next to potted plants

Trust
Living with a cat with food allergies can cause you both to be restless, but the road to recovery will require time, patience and trust in your vet. Remember — just like humans, every cat is unique, and the best solution will come from working with a professional to address your pet’s specific needs. Together, you’ll get on the right track to helping your best friend feel like their best self.

 

Nutrition
Therapeutic nutrition plays an important role in the long-term management of allergies in cats. The right nutrition can promote healthy skin from within and help alleviate your cat’s signs quickly and long-term. Even with treatment, some cats may have recurring signs that will require adjustments along the way, and your veterinarian will be a helpful resource in managing your cat’s allergies.

 

Medication
A vet may prescribe medication to help alleviate your cat’s signs of allergies. If you are wondering what you can give your cat for allergies, only give medication as recommended by your vet.

 

Topicals
Topicals can be used for managing allergies in cats. There are various deliveries for topicals like shampoos, lotions, sprays or ointments. Reach out to your veterinarian to ensure a specific topical is appropriate for your pet’s skin condition and life stage.

Trust
Living with a cat with food allergies can cause you both to be restless, but the road to recovery will require time, patience and trust in your vet. Remember — just like humans, every cat is unique, and the best solution will come from working with a professional to address your pet’s specific needs. Together, you’ll get on the right track to helping your best friend feel like their best self.

 

Nutrition
Therapeutic nutrition plays an important role in the long-term management of allergies in cats. The right nutrition can promote healthy skin from within and help alleviate your cat’s signs quickly and long-term. Even with treatment, some cats may have recurring signs that will require adjustments along the way, and your veterinarian will be a helpful resource in managing your cat’s allergies.

 

Medication
A vet may prescribe medication to help alleviate your cat’s signs of allergies. If you are wondering what you can give your cat for allergies, only give medication as recommended by your vet.

 

Topicals
Topicals can be used for managing allergies in cats. There are various deliveries for topicals like shampoos, lotions, sprays or ointments. Reach out to your veterinarian to ensure a specific topical is appropriate for your pet’s skin condition and life stage.

Smiling male veterinarian holding a grey tabby cat Smiling male veterinarian holding a grey tabby cat

Ask your veterinarian how nutrition can help

Schedule an appointment for your pet and see how a therapeutic pet food can help your pet feel better.

Ask your veterinarian how nutrition can help

Schedule an appointment for your pet and see how a therapeutic pet food can help your pet feel better.