Understanding Cat Food Allergies: Symptoms & Solutions

What is Cat Food Allergy?

Approximately 70% of affected pets are allergic to food ingredients they've been consuming for over two years, which we define as "a long time." In reality, if your cat reacts immediately to a new food, it's likely not an allergic reaction, as allergies typically require multiple exposures to develop. The most common allergens in cat food include beef, chicken, fish, eggs, and milk. A cat's predisposition to allergies is genetically determined. Cats with other allergies, such as inhalant allergies or atopic allergies, may be at a higher risk for food allergies.

Food allergy symptoms in cats are similar to those of other allergies and can affect the same body areas. In some cases, it can be challenging to differentiate between inhalant allergies and food allergies based solely on symptoms.

When your cat exhibits allergy symptoms, it's essential to consider food allergies first, as they are often more manageable than other allergies. To identify the allergen, the approach is to feed your cat a diet consisting solely of food it has never encountered before. This trial should be conducted before any other allergy tests.

Cat Food Allergy Symptoms

1. Itchy skin, particularly around the face, paws, and ears.

2. A foul odor from the skin.

3. Red bumps or hives.

4. Ear infections.

5. Selfinflicted skin trauma due to severe itching.

6. Diarrhea and vomiting. While most cats with food allergies only experience skin issues, a small percentage may also have gastrointestinal symptoms.

Cat Food Allergy Diagnosis

Diagnosis tests can help identify food allergies and rule out other diseases that may cause similar symptoms, including:

1. A thorough medical history and a comprehensive physical examination. Your veterinarian will carefully inspect your cat's skin and inquire about its recent diet. However, most cats with food allergies haven't changed their diet recently and have been on the same food for a long time.

2. A food elimination trial. This test involves identifying a food the pet has never been exposed to and feeding it strictly for 812 weeks. If your cat's itching and scratching decrease and there are no further skin or ear infections during this period, it suggests that your cat is likely suffering from a food allergy.

Cat Food Allergy Treatment

Treatment for food allergies may include one or more of the following:

1. Avoiding the problematic food.

2. Using antihistamines to reduce itching.

3. Treating secondary bacterial or yeast infections.

Cat Food Allergy Home Care

New food allergies can develop over time. If your cat has been diagnosed with a food allergy and has been wellcontrolled through dietary therapy but has experienced a recurrence of skin allergy symptoms, it may indicate that your cat has developed a new allergy or another condition. In this case, it's best to consult your veterinarian promptly to determine if a new allergy has emerged or if another condition is present.

To differentiate, you may need to conduct another food elimination trial for your cat. This process requires patience, as the trial can be lengthy. Additionally, you must strictly monitor your cat's diet and ensure that no one provides extra food or table scraps to "ruin" the trial. Adhering to the trial requirements is crucial for obtaining an accurate diagnosis, which means avoiding giving your cat "medications with a scent" or "vitamins" during the trial.

Cat Food Allergy Prevention and Health Care

Food allergies seem to have a genetic predisposition, with certain cat breeds being more susceptible. However, since the cause of food allergies is unknown, prevention can be challenging.

Expert Tip: If your cat is allergic and you're still unsure what to do after reading this, click on "What to Do About Cat Allergies" for more information that might help.