Everyone has heard of people with allergies and intolerances to foods like peanuts, soy, and gluten. But what many people don’t know is that cats can also have allergic reactions to food. If you have a cat that needs a special diet, this is the guide to read. You can find out more about cat allergies and types of food that can help. You’ll have a happy, healthy cat in no time.
Symptoms of a cat with allergies
If this is your first cat, you might not even know it has allergies. It might just seem sick and unhappy. There are plenty of symptoms to look out for. Some can be connected with other disorders, but you can try a change in diet to see if it helps. Of course, you should always confirm any suspicions you have with your vet if you notice any of these symptoms: fur loss, irritation, inflamed skin, ear infections, sneezing, and many more. Some of the most common are linked to the digestive system, like vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty with bowel movements.
What is hypoallergenic cat food?
Most cats with allergies suffer because of beef, dairy products, and fish in their food. It doesn’t matter if it’s wet or dry, your cat can have a negative reaction to what they eat if it contains these ingredients. Of course, there can be other factors too. The increase in artificial ingredients has also led to an increase in cat allergies. Your best bet is to find hypoallergenic food for cats that has the right nutrients for your pet. Hypoallergenic wet cat food can work particularly well as it is easier to digest. If your feline friend prefers dry food, you can always start them on wet food until they get back to normal then switch over to a hypoallergenic dry food.
What does hypoallergenic cat food contain?
Seeing as your cat is having trouble with “normal” food, you should pay attention to what goes into hypoallergenic food. This way you can figure out which is the best option for your pet. Many brands use insects to create their food. They are high in protein and don’t cause as many allergies or intolerances because they aren’t as processed or full of artificial preservatives as beef or dairy. Another way to create good hypoallergenic food is using hydrolyzed soy protein. Hydrolyzed proteins are broken down into such small components that the digestive system doesn’t recognize them as being allergens.