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Have you noticed your cat suffering from ailments like diarrhea or vomiting? Or does it constantly keep scratching itself? Well, food allergens might be the culprit in these cases. As a pet owner, you should be aware that cats can also have food allergies, just like humans. To address food allergy issues in your cat, you need to procure branded hypoallergenic food.
Veterinarians often recommend changing the diet for your cat and switching over to hypoallergenic food. These meals contain items that do not trigger allergic reactions in pets.
What is hypoallergenic food for cats?
Hypoallergenic food for cats involves ingredients that do not cause allergies. Rather, your pet can intake these items easily to benefit from their nutritional value. Besides, such food contains substantial amounts of proteins. Normally, meat items such as duck, lamb, or venison are present in hypoallergenic food for cats.
In general, items such as rice, corn, sugar, wheat, beet pulp, and soy are likely to trigger allergic reactions in cats. Experts recommend switching on to hypoallergenic food if you know that your pet is allergic to any of these items. You may also reach out to the vet to get a particular meal tailored for your cat.
Which food ingredients may trigger allergies in cats?
Some of the common food items that generally lead to allergies in cats are gluten, dairy, egg, seafood, chicken, and beef. Besides, your cat might be allergic to multiple proteins. Although there is no specific set of items that might trigger allergies in cats, you need to watch out for food that would harm your pet. In these situations, experts recommend buying hypoallergenic food for your cat.
In general, food allergy affects up to 11% of cats, who experience various skin conditions. Moreover, you need to be vigilant of the gut signs. Vomiting and diarrhea are common ailments in cats with allergies. Both male and female cats can develop food allergies due to a variety of reasons. Moreover, some cat breeds like Siamese are more susceptible to allergies.
What should your cat’s hypoallergenic diet include?
It’s recommended to provide your cat with a hydrolyzed diet to ensure that it does not suffer from allergies. However, cats might not find these foods to be tasty. Moreover, you might find such meals expensive to afford. In these cases, experts recommend switching to hypoallergenic food for your cat. These diets contain at least one novel source of protein which would not cause any allergic reaction in your pet. You may go for the trial and error method and find out the best diet for your cat.
Again, some pet lovers prefer providing their cats with treats. If you habitually give treats to your pet, it would be wise to switch to hypoallergenic treats. However, consult the vet before your cat starts intaking these foods.
Make sure not to provide any over-the-counter meals to your cats, given that they are widely available. These meals might contain traces of beef, chicken, or any other protein that might cause an allergic reaction in felines. You cannot rule out the possibilities of cross-contamination when the packaging is carried out.
Where should you purchase hypoallergenic food for cats from?
Veterinarians recommend purchasing quality hypoallergenic food for cats from reputed brands. These sources are generally reliable, and the food that your cat would be laboratory-tested. Some of the established brands have been catering with these food items to pets. You might manually eliminate allergic food items from your cat’s meal, or simply purchase hypoallergenic food for your cat from these stores. With a proper diet, your pet can enjoy the nutritional benefits immensely, while dodging the negative impact of allergic foods.
