Food allergies in cats

Does your cat have signs of food allergies?

If a cat vomits frequently, has diarrhea, irritated skin, a poor coat condition or hair loss, then they may have food allergies. 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 allergies.

Red patches, spots or pimples

Flaky or scaly patches

Hair loss

Scabs, crusts or thickened skin

Digestive issues

Bad skin odor

Itching, scratching, licking and rubbing

Here are a few signs a cat might be experiencing food allergies.

Red patches, spots or pimples

Flaky or scaly patches

Hair loss

Scabs, crusts or thickened skin

Digestive issues

Bad skin odor

Itching, scratching, licking and rubbing

One of the most difficult things on a cat’s path to recovery is determining what is causing their allergies. Food allergies in cats are caused by a reaction to a particular ingredient, usually a protein. Food allergies 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

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

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 allergies

Managing a cat’s allergies 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.

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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

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

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

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.

Understanding nutritional support for food allergies

You’ll want to ask your vet about a few things when it comes to the best cat food for food allergies. Ask about therapeutic cat food with a novel protein or hydrolyzed protein that is unlikely to cause a reaction.

Novel protein

refers to a unique protein not commonly found in pet food to help lower the risk of an adverse reaction.

Hydrolyzed protein

involves breaking proteins down into smaller pieces to help avoid detection by the immune system.

Hill's Pet Nutrition researcher holds Hill's Pet food in her hand.

If you notice behavior changes or sense something is off with your cat, it may be time to schedule a vet visit.

You also may want to ask your vet if therapeutic nutrition would be appropriate for your cat. Hill's Prescription Diet foods are developed by a team of Ph.D. nutritionists and veterinarians, and require a vet recommendation for purchase. Schedule an appointment so your vet can assess your pet's health and nutritional needs.