We all are pretty aware of the fact that some people no matter how much they love cats, develop cat allergies. But did you know that your cat might also develop allergies? Cats, like humans, develop allergies as well and their reaction can be as intense as humans. Many dog owners don’t realize that their furry friends can be a victim of allergies and completely overlook the symptoms. There are some of the best cat food for allergies in the market. But before you administer cat food for allergies in your cat’s diet, know the signs and symptoms of cat allergies.
Signs and Symptoms of Cat Allergy
Just like humans, the signs and symptoms of cat allergy vary from species to species. However, some of the most common symptoms found in cats are:
- Occasional sneezing, wheezing and coughing
- Itchy and patchy skin
- Itchy and runny eyes and nose
- Ear infections
- Swollen paws or abnormal chewing of paws
- Inflammed throat
Types Of Cat Allergies
Several cats react to antigens differently. Therefore, allergies in cats can arise due to various reasons. Some cats get allergies from fleas and tick while others develop from food, perfumes, cleaning agents, and pollens.
However, the most common types of allergies cats get are:
Food Allergies
Some cats are allergic to certain ingredients of food and might show adverse reactions. The common symptoms of food allergies in cats are vomiting and /or diarrhea. In some cases, conditions like severe itching and hair loss might develop.
If you suspect that your feline has developed a food allergy, eliminate the current diet completely. Some cats are allergic to dairy products so if you’ve recently introduced processed milk or yogurt in your cat’s diet, put that on hold and see if the problem persists.
Once the symptoms are settled and gone, you can re-introduce the old cat food gradually. Cats usually react adversely to canned or frozen cat food, so it’s best to introduce homemade, fresh cat food to avoid allergies and other health problems.
Flea Allergies
As disgusting as it sounds, fleas and ticks love your feline friend and spend most of their time on your cat.
Fleas and ticks are not only unhealthy but might cause severe allergies in cats. It’s not the flea bite that triggers the allergy but the saliva. The saliva of fleas has some compounds that are irritating to your cats and it might trigger an allergic reaction.
The most common symptoms of flea allergy are vomiting, itching around the tail and thighs, runny eyes, runny nose, weight, and hair loss.
To avoid any flea or tick allergy, ensure a healthy lifestyle, and check for the fleas once a week. Use a regular shampoo that is specially formulated for the prevention of tick and fleas in cats.
Inhalant Allergies
Inhalant allergies are usually seasonal and develop in the summer or spring. The most common causative factors are mildew, pollens, mold, dust, cleaning chemicals. The inhalant allergies are most commonly found in cats that show symptoms like runny nose and eyes, severe itching, especially around the head and including the ears, scabby lesions on the skin, or hair loss.
Contact Allergies
This type of cat allergy is very rare and seldom develops into a serious one. However, some sensitive cats are prone to developing allergic reactions to shampoo, detergent, home cleaning products, and even indoor plants.
As contact allergies are difficult to diagnose, your vet will likely take skin scrapings or a biopsy scan to test the allergen. Once the results are out, you need to free your home from what causes allergy in your feline.
Treatment Of Cat Allergies
The treatment of cat allergies can either be done with steroids or natural supplements. Vets do not recommend treating allergies through steroids in the long run as they might adversely affect your cat’s metabolism in one way or another. However, the natural supplements do no harm to the cats and should be continued to keep the symptoms at bay.
The natural supplements used to control allergies in cats are:
- Omega-3
- Biotin
Best Cat Food For Allergies
There is a multitude of brands that offer cat food formulated for allergies. However, not all of them work for every cat. We, at GigglePets, have handpicked some of the best cat food for allergies recommended by veterinarians and cat experts.
- A prescription diet specifically formulated to support healthy digestion in your kitty
- A blend of dietary fibers supports digestion and intestinal movement
- Highly digestible proteins and prebiotics support digestive health and optimal stool quality
- Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil and a blend of fibers support GI health
- Helps to prevent the development of bladder crystals for urinary health
- Starts with real deboned chicken your kitty deserves
- Features wholesome grains, garden veggies, and fruit
- Specially crafted for adult cats with sensitive stomachs. It contains FOS prebiotics, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids help promote healthy skin and a lustrous coat
- Made with LifeSource Bits—a blend of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins to support your pet’s immune health and a healthy oxidative balance
- All-natural cat kibble made without poultry by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives
- An exclusive blend of omega-6 fatty acids and other nutrients work to nourish your cat’s skin and coat
- The recipe is gentle on the stomach for easy digestion and a cleaner litter box
- Antioxidant and vitamin blend work together to help support a healthy immune system
- Made from natural, high-quality ingredients without any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Made in the USA, this is a complete and balanced diet recommended for adult cats with sensitive stomachs or skin
- Clinically proven nutrition that helps improve your cat’s digestion and stool quality
- Highly digestible protein and fat to help your cat assimilate nutrients and repair tissues faster
- Mixed fiber source to help maintain gastrointestinal health, plus added antioxidants to help control cell oxidation
- Optimal balance of nutrients to help replenish the body and help encourage recovery
- The digestive Care recipe has not changed—it offers the same great taste and benefits as it did prior to the introduction of the S+OXSHIELD seal of confidence
- Diet formulated specifically for cats with food sensitivities and skin, coat, and digestive issues
- Helps to reduce skin and GI reactions that may result from common proteins in cat foods
- Fibers and prebiotics support healthy digestion
- B vitamins, amino acids, and omega-3 fatty acids support healthy skin and coats
- Essential nutrients help to reinforce the skin barrier to minimize sensitivity and irritation
- Clinical nutrition developed by nutritionists and veterinarians especially formulated to help manage cats with digestive health problems
- Highly digestible protein and fat help assimilate nutrients and repair tissues faster while a mixed fiber source helps maintain gastrointestinal health
- An optimal balance of nutrients helps replenish the body and encourage recovery while added antioxidants help control cell oxidation
- This highly palatable recipe is suitable for adults and growing kittens
- Due to its easily digestible ingredients, this recipe may also be helpful for cats recovering from gastrointestinal upset and routine surgery
- Clinical nutrition developed by nutritionists and veterinarians especially formulated to help manage cats with digestive health problems
- Highly digestible protein and fat help assimilate nutrients and repair tissues faster while a mixed fiber source helps maintain gastrointestinal health
- An optimal balance of nutrients helps replenish the body and encourage recovery while added antioxidants help control cell oxidation
- This highly palatable recipe is suitable for adults and growing kittens
- Due to its easily digestible ingredients, this recipe may also be helpful for cats recovering from gastrointestinal upset and routine surgery
- A prescription diet specifically formulated to support healthy digestion in your kitty
- The low-calorie formula is ideal for cats prone to weight gain and has 35% lower calories than Royal Canine Feline Gastrointestinal loaf cat food
- Highly digestible proteins and prebiotics support digestive health and optimal stool quality
- Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil and a blend of fibers support GI health
- Helps to prevent the development of bladder crystals for urinary health
- Designed around a cat’s nutritional needs and instinctive preferences
- Provides 100% complete and balanced nutrition
- Made to help reduce stool odors while also support ideal weight maintenance
- Thin slices in gravy are highly palatable while providing a moderate calorie level
- Digest Sensitive features an ideal balance between proteins, fats, and carbohydrates
- A sensitive stomach and digestive tract may result in a large quantity of poor quality stool, which can be indicative of poor digestion
- Royal Canin Digestive Care dry cat food was developed for cats older than 1 year with sensitive stomachs
- Prebiotics and dietary fiber help ensure digestive health
- Ring-shaped kibble help encourage slower eating to aid digestion
- Can be combined with Digestive Care wet food for optimal stomach health
Conclusion
Like humans, cats also develop allergic reactions to various antigens, and sometimes, it can get worse. Therefore, it is recommended to consult an expert or a veterinarian as soon as you notice your cat showing symptoms. Your vet would recommend some medicated shampoo and steroids to timely treat the allergies. However, above is the list of the best cat food available in the market that helps keep the allergies at bay.
