food sensitivities in cats

food sensitivities in cats

Does your cat have signs of food sensitivities?

 

If a cat vomits frequently, has diarrhoea, irritated skin, a poor coat condition or hair loss, then they may have food sensitivities. 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 sensitivities.
check icon
Red patches, spots or pimples
check icon
Dry, flaky or scaly patches
check icon
Hair loss
check icon
Scabs, crusts or thickened skin
check icon
Digestive upset
check icon
Bad skin odour
check icon
Itching, scratching, licking and rubbing
Here are a few signs a cat might be experiencing food sensitivities.
check icon
Red patches, spots or pimples
check icon
Dry, flaky or scaly patches
check icon
Hair loss
check icon
Scabs, crusts or thickened skin
check icon
Digestive upset
check icon
Bad skin odour
check icon
Itching, scratching, licking and rubbing

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

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

A brown-white cat sitting in a woman's lap A brown-white cat sitting in a woman's lap
Tree Icon

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.

A brown-white cat looking up at a cat food bowl A brown-white cat looking up at a cat food bowl
Cat Food Allergies Icon

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 sensitivities

Managing a cat’s sensitivities 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.

A black cat licks a young girl's face A black cat licks a young girl's face

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.

A brown white cat looks up to a bowl of dry cat food A brown white cat looks up to a bowl of dry cat food

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.

A woman playing with her brown-white cat on a bed A woman playing with her brown-white cat on a bed

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.

A grey cat lying next to a window looking at a cat toy A grey cat lying next to a window looking at a cat toy

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.

A grey cat lying on a navy blue chair A grey cat lying on a navy blue chair

Understanding nutritional support for food sensitivities

You’ll want to ask your vet about a few things when it comes to a suitable cat food for food sensitivities. Ask about clinical nutrition cat food with a novel protein or hydrolysed protein that is unlikely to cause a reaction.

Novel Protein Icon
Novel protein
refers to a unique protein not commonly found in pet food to help lower the risk of an adverse reaction.
Hydrolyzed Protein Icon
Hydrolysed protein
involves breaking proteins down into smaller pieces to help avoid detection by the immune system.

Talk to your vet about which nutrition is right for your pet.

d/d Cat Food Εικόνα συσκευασίας
d/d Cat Food

Hypoallergenic - helps reduce food intolerances and supports skin health
z/d Cat Food Εικόνα συσκευασίας
z/d Cat Food

Formulated to reduce skin & digestive signs from food intolerances
Sensitive Stomach & Skin Cat Food Εικόνα συσκευασίας
Sensitive Stomach & Skin Cat Food

Hill's Science Plan Sensitive Stomach & Skin Adult Cat Food with Chicken is a complete pet food for adult cats, supporting their digestive health & optimal skin care.
z/d Cat Food Εικόνα συσκευασίας
z/d Cat Food

Formulated to reduce skin & digestive signs from food intolerances
See Food

Related Articles