Feline food allergies can make a cat feel more itchy than normal. Experts estimate that food allergies can account for up to 50% or more of the reasons a cat's skin may feel irritated. If you think your cat may have a food allergy, here are the 5 most common sources:
1. Fish
More than 40% of cats with food allergies are allergic to fish and other types of seafood. Fish products can often be found in commercial cat food and cat treats. Medications may also be flavored with fish to help a cat tolerate the taste better.
2. Dairy
Experts say more than 10% of cats with food allergies are allergic to dairy products. Opposite to nostalgic images or common belief, many cats are lactose intolerant. The fat content or consistency of milk does not affect the digestibility of the dairy product. When looking at a food's label, you may not see the word "dairy" and think it's safe for a lactose intolerant cat to eat. However, sodium caseinate, an ingredient found on some food labels, may indicate dairy products are present in the food item.
3 & 4. Chicken and Pork
Chicken is a common ingredient in many commercial cat foods, as is pork. Stearic acid, which is sometimes found in medications, may have pork, chicken or other animal products in it. Medications may also be flavored with chicken or pork.
5. Wheat
Not only can cats be lactose intolerant, but also wheat allergies. Wheat is another ingredient that is found in many cat foods as a filler or thickener. The word "starch" can indicate the presence of wheat in cat food products.
Symptoms of Feline Food Allergies
A cat with food allergies will become itchy after eating a food he's allergic to. The most common places that will itch are the face, neck and ears. In the areas that itch, the skin may look crusty or have a different texture than the rest of the skin. Sometimes the skin looks like it's worn away or will have red bumps. A cat may also experience hair loss because of his over-grooming.
Diagnosing Feline Food Allergies
A vet may run tests on a cat's blood or acquire skin samples to make sure the itchiness and hair loss are not due to other underlying conditions. Once other possibilities have been ruled out, your vet may recommend an elimination diet, or food trial, to help find the ingredient causing the cat's distress. Many experts say an elimination diet is the best and most accurate way to diagnose a food allergy in cats.
Treating Feline Food Allergies
The easiest way to treat food allergies in cats is by not feeding the feline the ingredient that causes the problem. A vet may prescribe antihistamines, steroids or even fatty acids to help provide some relief.
Feline food allergies can be very stressful for a cat and his owner. Once the offending food is found and eliminated, the quality of life will greatly increase for a cat.