4 Common food allergens for cats

Food allergies are rare in cats, with only about 1% of cats affected.

Despite their rarity, these allergies can be frustrating as they’re challenging to diagnose and can severely impact a cat’s health if untreated and not on the right diet.

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Cats can develop food allergies at any age, and there’s no specific link between allergies and a cat’s age, breed, or gender.

Therefore, a cat might develop a food allergy as it gets older.

Diagnosing a cat’s food allergy is tough, but recognizing common triggers can help speed up the process of finding a suitable diet for your feline friend.

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1. Fish

Cats didn’t originally eat fish, thus making the list of common food allergens.

Today’s house cats are descendants of wildcats from Africa, and they liked eating small land animals.

While some cats like the taste of fish, not all can digest it, and a few can get allergies from it.

Fish allergies in cats are tricky because many cat foods have fish or fish oil.

Cats with fish allergies usually have to stick to a special diet given by the vet.

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2. Chicken

Chicken is a common ingredient in cat food, and it can cause allergies.

Many cat foods have various chicken parts, like fat and organs.

If a cat is allergic to chicken, it doesn’t mean they’ll be allergic to eggs.

They might also not react to other poultry like duck or turkey.

So, you can try a different poultry-based diet if your cat can’t handle chicken or develops an allergy.

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3. Dairy products

People might believe cats enjoy milk, but most cats find it hard to digest.

Only a few cats have a dairy allergy, but many are lactose intolerant. Allergies involve the immune system, while lactose intolerance affects digestion.

If your cat’s tummy gets upset after milk, it’s probably lactose intolerant.

Skin problems and inflammation could signal a dairy allergy.

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4. Beef

Beef is often in cat food, but it’s a common allergen for cats.

Cats can be allergic to various beef parts and even the enzymes or proteins in beef.

Cat food also uses beef fat for healthy skin and fur.

These fatty acids are crucial for cats because they can’t make them themselves.

If a cat is allergic to beef, they’ll need to get these essential fatty acids from other meats or plant-based oils like canola oil.

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This article was compiled with the help of Artificial Intelligence