Food allergies in cats
Food allergies in cats
Does your cat have signs of food allergies?
If a cat vomits frequently, has diarrhoea, 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.
Here are a few signs a cat might be experiencing food allergies.
Here are a few signs a cat might be experiencing food allergies.
Environmental allergies
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.
Food allergies
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. Luckily, food allergies are uncommon in cats.
Managing a cat’s allergies
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.
Trust
Living with a cat with food allergies can cause you both to be restless, but the road to improvement 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
Clinical nutrition plays an important role in the management of signs associated with 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.
Understanding nutritional support for food allergies
You’ll want to ask your vet about a few things when it comes to a suitable cat food for food allergies. Ask about clinical nutrition cat food with a novel protein or hydrolysed protein that is unlikely to cause a reaction.
