However unlike seasonal or environmental allergies cat food allergies are much more difficult for a veterinarian to diagnose and treat because there is no accurate.
Cat food ingredients that cause allergies.
But a food allergy often appears as a skin problem.
Food allergy refers to an allergic reaction to a protein found within food.
Food allergies in cats come about when the immune system has an over reaction in response to a specific type of food.
Food sensitivity usually affects a cat s digestion think vomiting and diarrhea.
Because it has only a single protein source and a single carb source there s less opportunity for your cat to develop allergies to the ingredients.
Both dogs and cats can be allergic to any food ingredient but for cats common proteins are the biggest issue.
The top cat food allergies are chicken beef dairy egg and fish.
Nine ingredients frequently cause food allergies in cats.
Natural balance limited ingredient is made from peas and salmon and is grain free.
Only 10 15 percent of all cat allergic reactions are caused by food.
In cats with food allergies certain ingredients can trigger an immune system response.
It is available in various grain free formulas allowing you to pick the variety that.
Affected cats may develop recurrent infections of both the skin and ears.
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.
Although itchy irritating skin problems are the most common signs of this allergy an estimated 10 percent to 15 percent of affected cats also exhibit gastrointestinal.
A food allergy isn t quite the same thing as a food sensitivity.
Surprisingly grains are not the most common allergens for cats.
Cats affected by allergy or intolerance to foods develop itchy dry skin or skin rashes particularly around the face and ears.
Food allergies can also cause gastrointestinal issues including vomiting or diarrhea.
Limited ingredient foods are great for cats with allergies as they reduce the chance for your cat to be exposed to allergens.
This grain free cat food doesn t contain ingredients that are common allergens for cats such as corn dairy products or wheat.
Food allergies are diagnosed by performing a food trial and managed through the long term feeding of a food that does.
Studies have shown that food allergies overall are the third most common type of feline allergy outranked in frequency only by allergies to flea bites and inhaled substances.
Environmental allergies like pollen or mildew are much more common in cats than allergies caused by food.
This diet will be free of potential allergy causing ingredients and will ideally have ingredients your cat has never been exposed to before.
Food allergies can develop at any time during a cat s life typically causing chronic year round itching and skin inflammation.
What are the most common cat food allergies.