Rules for choosing cat food for allergies
Each manufacturer adds a product labeled “hypoallergenic” to its line of branded products. The owner, wanting to save his pet from digestive difficulties and constant itching, strives to purchase a package with that name, but not everything is so simple.
The purchase issue must be approached strictly individually. What works for one pet will only add to health difficulties for another. To do this, it is necessary to experimentally find out which product causes an undesirable reaction.
In addition, you need to take into account the age, castration, breed and other characteristics of the pet. If you have difficulties, it is best to consult a veterinarian.
All foods can be divided into categories depending on the components that cause the reaction. What pathologies do manufacturers focus on:
- Intolerance to vegetable protein (gluten). In the diet of this category of animals, a grain-free formula is used; grains are replaced with brown or white rice, oats or millet - or are completely absent.
- Animal protein intolerance. The food contains no chicken, beef or pork at all. They are successfully replaced by rabbit, duck, and salmon. Monoprotein recipes consist of only one type of meat.
- Hypersensitivity to dairy products, yeast and eggs. In this case, there should be a limited amount of the mentioned components in order to prevent provoking products from entering the cat’s body.
Before purchasing any type of industrial food, it is important to carefully study the composition. After consulting with a veterinarian, the owner of an allergic cat should clearly understand which ingredients are missing and should be paid special attention to.
Characteristics and types of hypoallergenic cat food
After making a diagnosis and identifying the type of allergen, the doctor prescribes a special diet for the pet. The diet of a patient prone to allergies should not include harmful foods, synthetic additives, flavor enhancers and other chemical components.
Foods recommended for allergy sufferers help not only eliminate the symptoms that appear, but also normalize the health of your pet in general. Manufacturers of the best hypoallergenic cat food include substances that can solve problems with the cardiovascular system, joints, kidneys or liver.
Hypoallergenic diets are divided into the following types:
- Premium class
, the recipe of which, in addition to offal and grains, includes natural meat and healthy microelements.
- Super premium class
, which contains only real meat or fish with a small addition of carbohydrate components.
- Holistic class
, created on the basis of products suitable for human nutrition.
All of them are characterized by the absence of allergenic products. Only high-quality raw materials and natural ingredients are used for production. The food is easily digested and does not cause problems with the intestines or digestive organs. According to the owner's reviews, the beneficial substances in hypoallergenic cat food have a beneficial effect on the pet's health and even its appearance.
Diet for illness
Different diets are used for the animal. Nutrition is introduced based on ingredients that the animal has not tried before. These are feeds containing hydrolyzed protein, which undergoes a special fermentation process that destroys polypeptide chains. The proteins obtained in this way do not cause allergies in the animal.
Food allergies can affect cats at any age, but most often occur in young cats. Symptoms of food reactions occur year-round, so they are not seasonal, as is the case with other allergies. Most often, animals develop abnormal immune responses to proteins in their diet. It can be protein of both animal and plant origin.
Scientific research has shown that the most common allergens in animals are:
- beef;
- Domestic bird;
- mutton;
- milk;
- eggs;
- wheat, soybeans, corn and rice.
In addition to protein, carbohydrates contained in food can also cause allergies.
Premium wet hypoallergenic cat food
Most owners prefer a combined diet for their mustachioed friend - they combine industrial dry and wet food. The latter contain a balanced amount of fat and protein, and the liquid components in its composition provide the pet with normal moisture in the body.
Wet food smells attractive and is suitable for feeding the pickiest cats. In addition, wet food replaces dry food in case of illness, oral problems, or low water consumption per day. This is the most dietary and healthy type of nutrition of all existing ones.
Royal Canin Sensitivity Control Feline
Produced in Austria. Recommended for chronic dermatitis, prolonged diarrhea and intolerance to certain products. The beneficial vitamins and microelements included in the composition have a positive effect on the animal’s immune system. Pros of Royal Canin Sensitivity Control Feline:
- large range of flavors;
- balanced recipe;
- nice smell.
Wet food is calculated based on the weight of the animal: it needs about 5% of its weight per day. Older animals require only 3-4%.
Hill's Prescription Diet Feline z/d
Produced in the USA. Prescribed to solve problems with food allergies. Contains hydrolyzed animal protein. There are useful minerals and plant derivatives. Benefits of Hill's Prescription Diet Feline z/d:
- improves the condition of the skin and coat;
- normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- has a wide range of flavors.
Pairs perfectly with Hill's dry products. You can give your cat wet food in the morning and dry food in the evening.
Pro Plan Delicate
Produced in the USA. Suitable for adults with sensitive gastrointestinal tracts. Contains plant and animal components. The addition of inulin and prebiotic normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Pro Plan Delicate Pros:
- contains easily digestible ingredients;
- stabilizes intestinal microflora;
- improves skin and coat.
Suitable even for those animals that are in good health.
Monge Natural
Produced in Italy. The recipe contains easily digestible fish protein. The product is enriched with vitamins and does not contain gluten or by-products. A balanced recipe has a beneficial effect on the stomach and intestinal function. Pros of Monge Natural:
- natural composition;
- average daily requirement of vitamins;
- pleasant smell and taste.
Monge Natural is chosen by owners of purebred pets prone to heavy shedding and constant stool disorders.
The right diet
As a rule, it is necessary to completely eliminate sensitizing ingredients from the diet. However, it may take a long time before the cause of the problems is found. Therefore, you should try to improve your diet as soon as possible to reduce the occurrence of unpleasant symptoms.
It is worth stopping serving allergic food. Instead, pet food based on a new protein source should be offered. It is also good that the food does not contain grains or only contains the best tolerated types. After several weeks of following this diet, allergy symptoms should gradually subside. When the animal's condition becomes noticeably better, you can include other products in the menu . During this time, you need to monitor your pet very carefully. If you notice that something bad happens after eating a certain food, it is likely an allergen.
After 2 months of using the diet, if skin changes and itching go away, you can move on to the second stage - introduce a different diet. This way you can enrich your cat's diet by including all new ingredients, supplements and treats. Most foods with a new source of protein or hydrolyzed protein are fully balanced and can be fed to the animal for a long time. If a pet is diagnosed with a food allergy, maintaining a proper diet that does not contain sensitizing substances may be required for life.
Feeding recommendations
The optimal feeding regime for the animal is 2 times a day with an interval between meals of 8-12 hours. If the cat previously ate a product of a different brand, then the new food is introduced into the menu carefully. The transition process usually takes 2 weeks. During this period, food is mixed with the usual food in small quantities, gradually increasing the dosage.
The approximate standards that must be followed when organizing the animal’s diet are indicated by the manufacturer on the product packaging. However, each pet is individual, so the dosage may be adjusted.
- MMM tasty…
For pregnant cats, the amount of food is increased by 25% of the daily requirement, and during the lactation period the product should be freely available. There should always be a bowl of clean water next to the food, which needs to be changed daily.
Reviews from pet owners
I had to find a super food for the cat. At first the choice fell on Royal Canin, but the pet was very itchy from it, plus there were red spots on the ears. Then I bought Royal hypoallergenic, and it seems to me that it does not taste good, since the cat ate it with great reluctance and was constantly hungry. I am now feeding 1st Choice anti allergy cat food and it seems to be going well.
Maksim
Our cat began to develop bald spots on his head, stomach, and then on his paws. The vet reported an allergy and had to change food again. For a month and a half now I have been giving hypoallergenic cat food, called Pronature Holistic, and the bald spot on my head has gone away, my paw has also gradually become overgrown.
Andrey
Having bought the kitten, I continued to feed him the same dry food as the breeder.
Then a couple of weeks later he developed diarrhea that did not go away. After a bunch of tests and visits to various clinics, I was offered to change food to the hypoallergenic “Purina Proplan”; at first I was against it, I didn’t know about its features. But I started giving it, and over time the stool improved. Marina
Rating of dry hypoallergenic cat food
Finding the right diet for a pet with eating disorders can be difficult. The product recommended by the veterinarian is not always to the taste of the mustachioed picky eater. This may be due to the lack of familiar and favorite ingredients: chicken, beef, pork or other ingredients.
Therefore, the owner must show patience and perseverance in order to accustom the mustache to a healthy diet. Sometimes you literally have to go through an assortment of cat food to get your cat to like it. Fortunately, all the owner’s efforts sooner or later end in success.
Of the best dry hypoallergenic cat food, it is difficult to choose just one in terms of quality - they are all good. It is better to focus on the composition and taste preferences of the kotofey.
Brit Veterinary Diet
Country of origin: Czech Republic. Its main advantage is its positive effect on the functioning of the liver and other internal organs. Brit is recommended for urolithiasis, genitourinary infections or weakened digestion. Benefits of the Brit Veterinary Diet:
- easy digestibility;
- low glycemic (sugar content) index;
- regenerating effect;
- anti-inflammatory effect.
There is no grain in the recipe, and the source of protein is salmon protein.
Stout
Country of origin: Russia. The main advantage is the small size of the granules, which helps remove plaque and is suitable for older animals. The protein components are chicken and beef. Stout benefits:
- rich in carbohydrates, which is ideal for active cats;
- large selection of flavors;
- presence in the composition of a large number of vitamin and mineral supplements;
- attractive smell and taste.
“Stout” has a low price, which attracts many owners.
Royal Canin Hypoallergenic
Country of origin: France. The patented Intensive Color formula makes the coat healthy and shiny. The protein is presented in the form of soy protein hydrolyzate, which is quickly absorbed and does not overload the digestive organs. Benefits of Royal Canin Hypoallergenic:
- suitable for transitioning kittens to an adult diet;
- makes the coat thick;
- does not have a strong odor;
- Even picky people like it;
- Available in small granules.
Another advantage is that it is widely used in Russia - the food can be bought at any pet store and even supermarket.
Organix
Country of origin: Holland. The main advantage is the stabilization of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and the normalization of gastric microflora. It contains only neutral components that do not cause negative reactions in the body. Other benefits of Organix:
- lack of starch and meat by-products;
- the presence of a large number of amino acids;
- granule size is small;
- affordability.
The food is ideal for those pets whose allergies are complicated by sensitivity of the digestive tract.
Acana Pacifica for cats
Country of origin: Russia. The recipe is based on fish. Flounder, perch, hake, and sardines are used as protein. Vegetables and fruits are added to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Benefits of Acana Pacifica for cats:
- suitable for fish lovers;
- it is consumed slowly, as it is quite high in calories;
- improves immunity;
- Suitable for energetic cats.
It is worth giving fish Acana to castrates with caution - there is a risk of disruption of the acid-base balance and problems with the genitourinary system.
1st Choice HYPOALLERGENIC
Country of origin: Canada. A balanced recipe with a good amount of proteins and carbohydrates will suit even the most nutritionally challenged cats. Regular introduction of it into the diet can improve the condition of the skin and eliminate allergic itching. Benefits of 1st Choice HYPOALLERGENIC:
- wide selection of flavors;
- lack of fast carbohydrates, which is important for overweight pets;
- low cost;
- no problems with the transition to this type;
- a large proportion of vitamins and minerals.
The product can be bought at any pet store or ordered online - it is quite common in Russia.
Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Feline
Country of origin: USA. Recommended to reduce areas of skin inflammation. Includes only easily digestible carbohydrates, Omega-6 and zinc. The components do not irritate the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, improving digestion. Benefits of dietary nutrition:
- reduces inflammation and itching;
- improves the appearance of skin and coat;
- prevents the formation of oxalate stones;
- Suitable for meat protein intolerance.
You should not use this product if your veterinarian has diagnosed the formation of struvite stones.
Go! Natural
Country of origin: Canada. The manufacturer has developed a line of monoprotein formulations with a protein source in the form of fish. The daily diet contains the daily norm of phosphorus, vitamin PP, cobalt, fluorine. Contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Benefits of Go! Natural:
- suitable for inactive and elderly individuals;
- has a positive effect on sensitive intestines;
- does not contain gluten and starch.
This food should be given with caution if your pet has been diagnosed with kidney problems.
Brit Care Lucky I'm Vital Adult
Country of origin: Czech Republic. The recipe is enriched with nutrients, minerals and is designed to keep your pet active. Includes 50% meat components: chicken, rabbit, lamb. Advantages:
- Helps maintain a balanced weight;
- improves the condition of coat and skin;
- has antioxidant properties;
- Suitable for old and inactive individuals.
Like the Brit Veterinary Diet, it is widely distributed in the Russian Federation and does not cause any difficulties in purchasing.
Monge VetSolution Dermatosis
Country of origin: Italy. The grain-free composition is designed to solve skin and coat problems. The ingredients included in the recipe reduce the negative impact on the intestinal walls and normalize the microflora. Benefits of Monge VetSolution Dermatosis:
- suitable for sick and weakened animals;
- picky people like it;
- enriched with a vitamin-mineral complex;
- helps remove tartar.
Monge VetSolution Dermatosis is also suitable for treating animals for dermatological diseases not caused by allergies.
