Cat Food Intolerance & Food Allergy
Similar to humans, cats can also develop an intolerance or allergy to food. However, the difference is that cats can’t communicate their discomfort, and they’re quite good at hiding when they’re in pain. That’s why it’s up to you to keep a lookout for the signs and symptoms of a food intolerance or allergy in your cat.
In this post, we’ll explore how to spot the signs of a food intolerance or allergy in your cat and how an advanced pet sensitivity test can tell you exactly which foods your cat struggles with.
Can cats have a food intolerance?
Yes, in the same way that humans can, cats can also have a food intolerance. So, if your cat experiences gastrointestinal problems or issues with their skin, ears and weight, they may have a food intolerance.
Understanding cat food Intolerances and allergies
Allergies and intolerances can develop at any stage of your cat's life, even if they’ve never shown signs or experienced symptoms before. Any breed of cat may develop an intolerance or allergy, but certain breeds are more susceptible than others, such as Siamese cats.
Both an allergy and an intolerance are incurable, however, it’s possible to manage them by removing the cause from your cat’s diet. To do this, you need to identify exactly which food your cat has an allergy or intolerance to, such as by using an advanced pet sensitivity test.
The difference between intolerance and allergy in cats
A food intolerance is caused when your cat struggles to digest or metabolise a certain ingredient in the food they eat. This often leads to symptoms around the guts, but can also affect other parts of the body.
An allergy is caused by your cat's immune system incorrectly identifying a certain type of food as a threat. As a result, their immune system attempts to fight the threat, which is what causes symptoms that are often related to the skin.
Common cat food intolerances
Because cats are obligate carnivores and their diet consists primarily of meat, the food they tend to have an intolerance to is protein, such as beef, chicken or fish. However, dairy is also a common food intolerance in cats, so unfortunately you may want to think twice before giving your cat a bowl of cream, despite how much they might enjoy it.
Signs and symptoms of food intolerance in cats
Symptoms of a cat food intolerance are often similar to gastrointestinal problems but can affect your cat elsewhere. Symptoms include:
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Flatulence
- Frequent coughing and sneezing
- Skin rashes and poor coat
- Itchy skin around the face, ears and neck
- Over-grooming
- Lethargy
These symptoms are also similar to an allergy, so it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what your cat struggles with from symptoms alone. Test your cat against 300 common cat food ingredients with a basic cat sensitivity test to identify exactly what your cat struggles with.
Cat food intolerance tests
If you want to know how to tell if your cat has a food allergy, there are ways you can quickly and accurately find out.
You can consult your local vet, who can take a test to find out more about your cat’s digestive health. A cat food allergy test through your vet will give you the answers you need to get your cat’s health back on track. However, it can be expensive, with the cost of the vet and test fees soon adding up.
An affordable option is to take a basic cat sensitivity test or advanced pet sensitivity test, which uses your cat’s fur to identify exactly what your cat has an allergy or intolerance to. In just five days you’ll receive a comprehensive report, so you can change your cat’s diet to improve their health and prevent unpleasant symptoms.
How to treat a cat food intolerance
Unfortunately, food allergies and intolerances in cats can’t be cured, but they can be managed by removing certain triggers from their diet. That way, your cat won’t experience symptoms and will be happier and healthier.
What to feed a cat with a food intolerance or allergy
Once you know which ingredients your cat has an intolerance or allergy to, you can take steps to remove them from your cat’s diet. For example, if your cat has an intolerance to beef, you can check the food you buy to ensure there is no beef or gelatin in it. If your cat struggles to digest a variety of proteins, you may need food that includes proteins that have already been broken down, otherwise known as a hydrolysed protein diet.
Test to see if your cat has an allergy or intolerance
If you think your cat might have an allergy or intolerance, you can find out for sure in less than a week so you can prevent them from experiencing unpleasant and painful symptoms.
Buy an advanced pet sensitivity test today and help your cat live a happy and healthy life.