Cat Food Allergies are an abnormal or a hypersensitive reaction to a pet food ingredient which is usually a protein source. 10-20% of feline allergies are caused by pet food.
CAUSES OF CAT FOOD ALLERGIES
Beef, dairy products and fish, especially tuna and mackerel are responsible for almost 90 percent of cat food allergies. These products cause a skin reaction in cats as opposed to diarrhea.
TIP: Cat Food preservatives including Benzoic Acid and Propylene Glycol (read labels) are toxic to cats. Milk causes diarrhea in cats as opposed to a skin reaction. This is referred to as “Lactose Intolerance.”
CAT FOOD ALLERGY SIGNS
Severe itching and scratching all over your cat’s body.
Itching with small scabs located primarily on your cats head, neck and ears.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Discuss a Feline Elimination Diet with your veterinarian. To begin an elimination diet for your cat’s allergies:
A single source of protein is used for 12 weeks to see if your cat’s condition improves. Then new ingredients are added back into the diet one at a time, every five to seven days, until the problem recurs. Using this method, and noting what was added when, if there is a reaction you will know which food ingredient is responsible for the problem.
For the feline elimination diet to work, start by using a protein source to which your cat has not been previously exposed.
Ingredients recommended for homemade Feline diets that work best initially for cats include one protein source or a combination of one protein and one carbohydrate source.
For example:
- Lamb baby food
- Lamb (mutton) and brown rice
- Venison and potato
Use distilled water or boil tap water and refrigerate – this helps avoid chlorine, which can also be a factor with feline food allergies.
1/3 of cats with food allergies also have concurrent flea allergies, therefore scab like lesions and itching are focused on the head, neck and ears.
Siamese and/or Siamese cross bred cats less than 2 years old may be at increased risk of food allergies.
Another dietary option for pet food allergy therapy involves using Hydrolyzed Dietary Proteins. These are conventional proteins broken down into such a small size they are unable to cause an allergic reaction.
Hypoallergenic diets containing Hydrolyzed Protein are available commercially.
Purina’s Prescription Diet Division offers CNM HA (the HA stands for Hypoallergenic).
Exclude is a diet made by DVM Dermatology’s. It comes in a powder form and is mixed with water to the desired consistency.
If itching and skin lesions resolve then reappear within 2 weeks of feeding your cat his former food, a food allergy diagnosis may also be confirmed.
Your cat’s nutritional history should include a complete list of commercial and homemade foods as well as snacks, treats, toys, medications and human foods.
The only way to find out the true cause of a food allergy is to use an elimination diet.
Remember cat’s suffering with food allergies usually have a lack of internal immunity.
Consider boosting your cats ability to ward off allergies by adding a natural, balanced daily comprehensive feline vitamin-mineral supplement to his or her daily regime.
If your cat has diarrhea, avoid pet foods with wheat barley, rye and avoid milk.
Cat Food allergies tend to last a lifetime but once you identify the offending allergen, you can find a variety of suitable pet diets that don’t include the problem foods but still provide your cat with a balanced feline diet.
Several “allergen” free pet diets are available. Keep a daily pet diary during the elimination phase to keep track of the type of pet food eaten and any signs that occurred as a result.
If a food allergy is the only cause of your cat’s allergies, itching should stop and signs should improve 100%.
Up to 1/3 of cats with food allergies also have other allergies such as Flea Allergies and therefore, may only respond partially to an elimination diet.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis due to cat fleas, pictured on the left, as well as Feline Inhalant Allergies are the two most common causes and should be ruled out through further testing with your veterinarian.
COMPLEMENTARY CAT FOOD ALLERGY THERAPY
HOMEOPATHIC CAT REMEDIES
Vitamin C in high does acts as an antihistamine and may help with your cat’s itching.
Ascorbate powder is a source of Vitamin C – 100 milligrams 3 times daily is an average daily cat dose. Always check with your veterinarian first just to be sure.
About Dr. Carol
Dr. Carol is a pet health researcher, a Board Certified Anti-Aging Pet Health Diplomat, a published author and a practicing, holistic veterinarian in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.
She welcomes new canine and feline patients.
Dr. Carol also offers pet health consultations and answers pet health questions and makes homemade pet diets by phone and e-mail for her online pet loving community.
Pet owners may contact Dr. Carol directly at her veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for their dog(s) and/or cat(s) today.
Bookmark www.drcarol.com/blog for the latest pet health news, anti-aging tips and updates for your dogs and cats.
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