Allergies to certain foods can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms, such as itchy skin and digestive issues. While this is an unpleasant condition for your cat, it is easily manageable with some changes in their diet.
Your veterinarian may suggest a hypoallergenic diet to help identify which food ingredient is causing your cat’s allergy symptoms. Once identified, gradually introduce that food back into their diet over time until their problem resolves.
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Grain-Free
When your cat begins to exhibit symptoms such as itching, diarrhea or weight gain, it can be frustrating. Fortunately, dietary adjustments can help alleviate these symptoms without resorting to medications with potentially hazardous side effects.
When it comes to feeding a cat with allergies, grain-free foods are one of the best options available. A grain-free diet emphasizes protein and does not include ingredients like wheat, corn or soy.
A diet rich in protein will give your cat the essential nutrients for strong muscles, healthy eyesight, thick coats and excellent skin condition. Furthermore, it helps prevent allergies by avoiding protein sources that could trigger an allergic response.
Many pet parents have turned to grain-free diets as a means of decreasing food allergies in their furry friends. These plans use alternative carbohydrates like potatoes, peas and sweet potatoes in place of grains.
Hypoallergenic
If your cat has allergies to fish, chicken or dairy, don’t worry – you can still provide them with essential nutrition. The key is finding a diet that provides protein from these sources without the potential allergens.
Fortunately, there are hypoallergenic cat foods that do the trick. These recipes use limited ingredients and probiotics for maximum benefit.
These foods typically contain one source of protein, such as lamb, duck or venison. Furthermore, they may have hydrolyzed proteins which break down into small particles the immune system cannot recognize.
When selecting a hypoallergenic diet, it is essential to avoid grains such as corn or wheat. These are the most common allergens and may lead to digestive issues.
Your veterinarian can assist in selecting the ideal diet for your cat. They typically suggest a trial period of up to three months in order to make an informed decision.
Limited Ingredient
A limited ingredient diet is ideal for cats with allergies, as it restricts what your cat consumes. This allows you to more accurately identify which food item may be causing your pet’s itchy skin and other allergy symptoms.
If you believe your cat’s allergies could be related to what he eats, opt for a limited ingredient food with no poultry, beef or fish. Instead, opt for a diet with one source of protein like turkey or venison.
Some limited ingredient cat foods are free from dairy, eggs, grains, wheat or soy. You can experiment with various limited ingredient dry and canned cat foods to see which one works best for your cat; just make sure the proteins are all novel.
High-Quality
If your veterinarian suspects your cat has food allergies, you’ll need to find a high-quality hypoallergenic pet food. These meals are designed with one source of protein and may include hydrolyzed proteins or other ingredients which help the digestion system prevent an allergic reaction.
For cats with food allergies, the ideal diet is a limited ingredient diet (LID). Protein sources from novel sources like venison or rabbit can be an effective substitute for chicken or beef proteins.
The ideal LID foods contain hydrolyzed proteins that make it simpler for the digestive system to process and absorb nutrients. Some products even provide probiotics to assist with digestion and gut harmony. Furthermore, a nutritious diet should contain plenty of Omega 3s and 6s for healthy skin and coat.
