Research shows that some ingredients are more likely to cause food allergies than others. In cats, the most common are beef, lamb, fish, corn, soy, dairy and wheat gluten.
Unfortunately, while we understand the mechanisms by which food allergies occur, we do not know why these allergies occur.
We also don’t understand why some cats develop food allergies and others don’t.
Do food allergies and food intolerances mean the same thing?
First of all, let’s distinguish between what is a food allergy and what is a food intolerance, which many people confuse.
Food allergies are true allergies and can also show symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and itchy skin.
Food intolerance can cause vomiting or diarrhea, but not the typical allergic reaction (itching).
A cat’s food intolerance is like a person suffering from diarrhea or gastrointestinal distress from eating spicy or fried foods.
Food intolerance can occur in cats of all ages.
But don’t worry, food intolerance and food allergies can be resolved through dietary management.
Causes of food allergies in cats
In addition to meat,
For example, fish (most cats love tuna, but fish is also becoming a more common cat food allergen), beef, and lamb are common protein allergens in cat food.
Other common allergens that can cause food allergies in cats include artificial colors, starches like cornmeal, dairy (cats are actually lactose intolerant), Meat by-products (visceral organs, etc.) and preservatives.
Symptoms of food allergy in cats
Food allergies and environmental allergies can be It can cause skin itching and other problems, so whether the cat has food allergies needs to be judged in combination with other manifestations.
If your cat has allergies all year round, rather than seasonal, then the likelihood of food allergies is greater.
Because environmental allergies, such as pollen allergies, are usually seasonal, with symptoms appearing mainly in spring and summer.
Itchy skin from a food allergy, usually unresponsive to steroid treatment.
This itching usually occurs on the face, ears, abdomen, groin, armpits, and feet.
If the itching is not controlled, cats often lick excessively, causing hair loss and severe trauma (wounds).
In addition to itching, some of the following symptoms may also occur:
Skin problems, itching, frequent scratching, excessive grooming, dull hair Rough
gastrointestinal problems, including vomiting and diarrhea
ear problems, infections, hair loss, etc.
respiratory problems (rare), watery eyes, runny nose, Sneezing, coughing or gasping
How is a food allergy diagnosed?
The veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination, including a skin examination.
Non-food-induced skin diseases need to be ruled out first, and other causes should be ruled out through blood routine, blood biochemistry, and endocrine examinations.
As to the cat’s health, when the symptoms appeared, and what may have happened before then,
especially regarding any changes in diet, and any new foods fed, Even if it’s only been eaten once or twice.
These conditions need to be understood by doctors before they can narrow the suspicion to food allergies.
The most reliable test for diagnosing food allergies is a food exclusion test, not a food allergen.
Food exclusion tests can have many forms of food selection, including:
The hydrolyzed protein diet ( Protein is broken down into smaller pieces that cannot be recognized by the cat’s immune system)
Commercially available new protein diets (food ingredients that cats have not eaten), such as ostrich, kangaroo, gluten-free cat food Etc.
Homemade food (food ingredients that the cat has not eaten before)
Homemade food for animals is often recommended because all ingredients can be controlled.
The food type must choose a single ingredient that has never been eaten, because the food that has never been eaten will not cause allergies within 3-4 months, and it is a hypoallergenic food.
The specific process of the food experiment is as follows:
I. Homemade Foods
Find one meat (protein) and one carbohydrate that have never been eaten before, plus a small amount of fat.
In this way, a more nutritious basic food can be matched. If you have eaten everything, you can only look for foods that you seldom eat before and that you have never eaten in the last three months.
1. Read the formula table of food and snacks that have been eaten before, and then carefully recall what the animals have not eaten.
2. From experience, you can choose rabbit meat, donkey meat, horse meat, etc. for protein, and millet, barley, etc. for carbohydrates, which are not added in general pet food.
3. Every meal can be poured with a small spoon of vegetable oil, such as olive oil (the principle is vegetable oil that has never been eaten).
4. Observe the animal’s appetite and defecation after eating. If there is any adverse reaction, please contact the doctor in time.
Note: Except for the selected food and plain water, all other edible things need to be avoided,
including snacks, Yogurt, pet milk, and flavored pills (such as oral antibiotics) and other flavored products (such as flavored toothpaste).
2. Duration
Approximately duration: 4-12 weeks.
Three, provocative test
Suddenly eating the original food, Watch for worsening symptoms within a week.
4. Judgment of results
Improved only during the food test, And the recurrence during the secondary test can be judged as food allergy.
The above process must be completed under the guidance of a veterinarian in order to obtain a correct diagnosis!
How can a cat’s food allergy be treated?
Antihistamines, steroids, fatty acids, JAK enzyme blockers (Apoc?), etc. can help cats relieve allergic reactions in the short term.
But the only way to treat a cat’s food allergy is to avoid foods that cause allergies.
Once a food trial has been completed and the allergen has been identified, you should ensure that this ingredient is completely avoided from your cat’s diet (including treats, medications, supplements, etc.).
The owner has two options, feeding the cat a hypoallergenic food or a homemade diet.
If a homemade diet is used, it must be ensured that it can provide the cat’s normal nutritional needs, including protein, vitamins, minerals, etc.
A homemade diet for long-term use should be developed by a veterinary nutritionist.
What is the prognosis for a cat with food allergy?
Clinical symptoms associated with food allergy usually resolve within 12 weeks of elimination of the allergen.
Some cats with food allergies may develop allergies to new foods if fed them long enough.
If you see signs of food allergies in your cat, consult your veterinarian.
There is currently no way to prevent food allergies. There is no test to determine if a cat has a food allergy.
Finally, having a cat with a confirmed food allergy means putting more effort into managing your cat’s diet.
We need to carefully observe the cat’s daily condition to prevent the recurrence of allergies. If you notice signs of a food allergy in your cat, the best thing to do is to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
