Common Cat Food Allergy Symptoms

Food allergies are an immune reaction to an antigen in food.

Common cat food allergy symptoms.

Cats can develop food allergies at any age and whether they have been eating the same food for years or have recently started eating something new. Some experts believe these artificial preservatives like bha and bht may be carcinogens and that they may cause cat food allergies. If your cat has allergies try using homemade cat foods to see if that clears the allergy symptoms up. While chicken is the most common protein allergy for cats some may also be allergic to fish beef lamb and or pork.

An allergic cat will typically display the following symptoms. Environmental allergies like pollen or mildew are much more common in cats than allergies caused by food. If your veterinarian suspects your cat has food allergies the vet will do a physical exam and ask detailed questions about your pet s diet. Cats with food allergies typically develop skin or gastrointestinal symptoms sometimes both.

The only way to diagnose a food allergy is to feed your cat a prescription or hydrolyzed protein diet exclusively for 12 weeks that means no flavored medications or treats. If you answered yes your cat may be experiencing a food allergy. Cats much like humans and dogs are susceptible to dozens of different allergies. Food allergies are characterized by a complex symptomatology that includes gastrointestinal dermatological neurological behavioral alterations etc.

When ruling out food allergies it is best to start with protein sources. Cat food allergy symptoms. Only 10 15 percent of all cat allergic reactions. A food intolerance or a reaction to another substance you ate may cause the same signs and symptoms as a food allergy does such as nausea vomiting cramping and diarrhea.

Consider using grain free food options with single source proteins. Treatments for food allergies in cats. If your cat s reaction to a food allergy seems to come and go it may be helpful to show your vet photographs of any skin irritation or other reactions. Here are 6 things every cat owner should know about food allergies in cats.

This diet will be free of potential allergy causing ingredients and will ideally have ingredients your cat has never been exposed to before. The symptoms of cat food allergy are similar to other types of allergies. Therefore we must reaffirm the importance immediately taking your cat to the veterinarian if you observe any strange symptoms or unusual behavior. To diagnose a food allergy your cat must be fed either a novel ingredient diet e g duck and potato or a hydrolyzed food and nothing else but water for six to eight weeks.

About 10 of allergic cats have a food allergy. Depending on the type of food intolerance you have you may be able to eat small amounts of problem foods without a reaction.