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Hypoallergenic Cat Food: An Introduction

Cats > Diet and Nutrition > Hypoallergenic Cat Food: An Introduction

also see Cat Food Ingredients

also see Cat Parasites

also see Cat Allergy Treatment

also see Cat Food Holistic

also see Canned Cat Food

Hypoallergenic cat food typically contains no wheat, corn, soy, rice or beet pulp. A single, low-allergen protein source such as lamb, duck, fish or venison is also common. It will contain few-if any-artificial preservatives.

One of the best ways to insure that your cat is getting the highest quality, lowest allergen cat food ingredients is to prepare her meals yourself. Although it is not as convenient as opening a can or bag, homemade cat food is not hard to make.

Signs of Food Allergies

Excess scratching
Poor quality coat: oily or odorous, signs of dandruff
Recurrent ear infections
Foot licking
Persistent diarrhea, vomiting or gas

Properly implemented, a hypoallergenic, raw cat food diet will provide all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients that your cat needs. It will also more closely imitate her natural diet of raw meat and bones. Cats do not require carbohydrates, and most prepackaged, commercial cat foods contain up to sixty percent carbohydrates. Many cats overeat simply to get enough nutrients. Your cat will consume far less food on a raw diet-there is no need for a diet cat food.

Meat allergies are often the result of the processing that takes place during pet food manufacture. Many cat owners find that cats who were allergenic to beef or beef-flavored cat foods have no trouble handling raw beef.

A raw meat diet supplemented by grains, vegetables, fruits and certain enzymes and vitamins is a healthy choice for your cat. Cats have a very acidic stomach environment, and bacteria that is harmful to humans is not harmful to cats.

A Raw, Hypoallergenic Diet

Raw meat--muscle or organ-from the same animal source
Grated carrots, zucchini, sweet potatoes, mashed peas
Ground, non-splintering bones (a butcher can do this for you)
Raw diet supplements

Note: Protein should compromise about 75 percent of the mix.

A convenient way to implement a raw diet for your cat is to purchase frozen raw patties. These are formulated with all the essential nutrients, can be kept in your freezer until needed and require no preparation.

Alternatively, you can purchase kits that include all the necessary ingredients for a well-balanced raw diet. All that you need to add is the protein source, usually ground chicken or turkey.

Raw Diet Tips

For the best possible results, purchase organic, free-range meats from a reputable source.
Freeze in portions that will be used within two to three days.
Follow all safe handling recommendations and remove uneaten food after thirty minutes.

also see Managing Feline Diabetes with a Low Carbohydrate Diet

also see Making High-Nutrient Gourmet Cat Treats at Home

also see Making Sense of Healthy Cat Food Claims

also see Digestive Problems in Cats - Megacolon and Constipation