Last updated May 13, 2024
Kirsten McCarthy / cats.com
The best hypoallergenic cat food is simple, streamlined, and contains anti-inflammatory ingredients for improved skin, coat, and digestive health.
Vital Essentials is our top pick for the best hypoallergenic cat food. While we’ve selected the rabbit variety, there are numerous single-protein formulas to choose from. But every cat is different, so a food that is hypoallergenic for one cat might not be for another.
In this guide, we’ll discuss what makes a cat food hypoallergenic and provide our recommendations for best products on the market for cats with food allergies.
At a Glance: Best Hypoallergenic Cat Food to Buy
Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Rabbit Mini Patties Entree Cat Food
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Very straightforward, simple ingredient list
- Herring oil as a source of soothing omega-3 fatty acids
RAWZ 96% Turkey & Turkey Liver Pate Canned Cat Food
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
- Limited list of digestible ingredients
Smalls Smooth Cow Fresh Cat Food
- Beef is the only source of animal protein
- Easily digestible with a smooth texture
- Low in carbohydrates
Tiki Cat Succulent Chicken Recipe in Chicken Consomme
- Rich in animal protein and moisture
- Completely free from fish ingredients
- Simple recipe is highly digestible
Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein Chicken Formula Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
- High in species-appropriate animal protein
- Relatively low in carbohydrates
- Very nutrient-dense
Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Lamb Cat Food
- Made with a novel source of animal protein
- Contains muscle meat, organs, and bone
- Rich in animal-sourced omega-3 fatty acids
Go! Solutions Sensitivities Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Duck Pate
- Rich in digestible animal protein
- Good source of hydrating moisture
- Limited list of ingredients
Wellness CORE 95% Turkey Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
- Made with a single protein source
- Turkey is a novel protein for some cats
- Easily digestible, short list of ingredients
Raised Right Turkey & Pumpkin Pate for Adult Cats
- Turkey is the sole source of protein
- Relies on animal-sourced fat
- Low carbohydrate content
Why Trust Cats.com
Terms like “hypoallergenic” can be misleading and confusing, so we’ve done the research to define it. In addition to consulting with our team of veterinary experts, we’ve spent countless hours analyzing product labels, researching brands, and reading customer reviews to determine the best cat food on the market for cats with allergies.
Our team of veterinary experts provides additional informative support as well as their professional opinion on what makes a great cat food product. Here’s the full methodology behind our cat food ratings.
Our Veterinary Advisors:
- Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ
- Dr. Chris Vanderhoof, DVM, MPH
- Dr. Sarah Reidenbach, DVM
- Dr. Chyrle Bonk, DVM
- Dr. Jamie Whittenburg, DVM
- Dr. Albert Ahn, DVM
- Dr. Elizabeth Youens, DVM
The Top 9 Best Hypoallergenic Foods for Cats With Allergies
Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Rabbit Mini Patties Entree Cat Food is our top pick for the best hypoallergenic cat food on the market. This freeze-dried food has a simple, meat-based recipe with herring oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce inflammation and control itchiness.
While this Vital Essentials recipe is our top pick, it might not be the ideal choice for your cat. Every cat is unique, so we’ve included a range of options, broken down by food type, price category, and other considerations.
#1 Overall Best: Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Rabbit Mini Patties Entree Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 60% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 117
- Typical Cost Per Day: $7.43 per day
This straightforward, rabbit-centric recipe is a winning option for cats with food allergies. It contains nothing but rabbit meat, organs, and bones with herring oil and a handful of synthetic supplements. The short list of ingredients helps minimize your cat’s exposure to potential allergens making it one of the best novel protein cat foods on this list.
In addition to being a single-protein recipe, this formula may help soothe inflamed and itchy skin. Herring oil is a species-appropriate source of omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids can reduce inflammation and promote skin and coat health.
As a freeze-dried product, this recipe is nutrient-rich and calorie-dense. The downside is its low moisture content, but you can crush then soak the patties in water or broth to rehydrate them before feeding them to your cat.
Ingredients
Rabbit, Rabbit Liver, Rabbit Heart, Rabbit Kidney, Rabbit Lung, Herring Oil, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex.
Ingredients We Liked: Rabbit, Rabbit Liver, Rabbit Heart, Rabbit Kidney, Rabbit Lung, Herring Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Very straightforward, simple ingredient list
- Herring oil as a source of soothing omega-3 fatty acids
What We Didn’t Like:
- Expensive
- Low-moisture, should be rehydrated before feeding
#2 Runner Up: RAWZ 96% Turkey & Turkey Liver Pate Canned Cat Food
- Made In: Thailand
- Guaranteed Protein: 11% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 37
- Typical Cost Per Day: $3.25 per day
Made with a short list of simple ingredients, this wet cat food formula is nutrient-dense and easily digestible. The food contains 96% turkey and turkey liver with no other animal proteins. This makes it a good choice for cats allergic to chicken or other common proteins.
Unlike many canned foods on the market, this RAWZ recipe isn’t thickened with carrageenan or gums. Though these ingredients may not trigger allergies, they have been linked to inflammation and digestive upset. This formula is completely free from potentially irritating artificial additives as well, like synthetic colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Overall, this is a fairly high-protein and high-fat recipe with plenty of hydrating moisture. The carbohydrate content is a little higher than we’d like, but the short ingredients list makes the recipe highly digestible for most cats making it one of the best wet food for cats with allergies.
Ingredients
Turkey, Turkey Liver, Turkey Broth, Fenugreek Seeds, Dandelion Greens, Taurine, Natural Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Magnesium Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganese Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Salt, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Ingredients We Liked: Turkey, Turkey Liver
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
- Limited list of digestible ingredients
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive
- Some reviewers dislike the consistency
#3 Best Chicken-Free: Smalls Smooth Cow Fresh Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 16.5% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 49
- Typical Cost Per Day: $4.00 per day
If your cat has a chicken allergy, finding hypoallergenic cat food can be tough. Smalls offers a range of fresh cat foods in different textures, each made with a single source of animal protein. This Smooth Cow recipe could be a good choice if you’re looking for a chicken-free option.
The food features beef muscle meat and beef liver as the primary ingredients. It also contains green beans, spinach, and dandelion greens in addition to the synthetic supplements needed to achieve balanced feline nutrition. With over 55% protein and 26% fat (both measured as dry matter), this recipe is low in carbohydrates.
Something to keep in mind with this recipe is that it is very calorie-dense at 49 calories per ounce. Smalls provides serving recommendations based on your cat’s information, so follow the instructions carefully to avoid overfeeding your cat.
Ingredients
Beef, Beef Liver, Green Beans, Spinach, Water Sufficient for Processing, Dried Yeast, Tricalcium Phosphate, Canola Oil, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Magnesium Proteinate, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Dandelion Greens, Dried Kelp, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Cod Liver Oil, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite, Biotin.
Ingredients We Liked: Beef, Beef Liver, Cod Liver Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Beef is the only source of animal protein
- Easily digestible with a smooth texture
- Low in carbohydrates
- Rich in hydrating moisture
What We Didn’t Like:
- Only available as a subscription plan
- No phone support (text and email only)
#4 Best Fish-Free: Tiki Cat Succulent Chicken Recipe in Chicken Consomme
- Made In: Thailand
- Guaranteed Protein: 16% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 25
- Typical Cost Per Day: $4.82 per day
Like chicken, fish is another common ingredient in cat food. Even formulas that don’t contain fish as a source of protein often contain some kind of fish oil. It’s unclear whether fish oil contributes to fish allergies in cats, but if you want to play it safe, this shredded chicken recipe from Tiki Cat may be a good choice.
Featuring chicken muscle meat as the primary ingredient, this formula is incredibly high in species-appropriate animal protein. It’s also a rich source of hydrating moisture and, with its short list of ingredients, is highly digestible for most cats.
The tradeoff with not using fish oil in this recipe is that the only source of added fat is plant-based. We’d prefer to see chicken fat than plant oil, but sunflower seed oil is by no means harmful for your cat. It may just be less biologically valuable than an animal-sourced fat.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Broth, Sunflower Seed Oil, Calcium Lactate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Choline Chloride, Salt, Magnesium Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Zinc Oxide, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Pantothenate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Sunflower Seed Oil
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Completely fish-free formula
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Rich in hydrating moisture
- Simple recipe is highly digestible for most cats
What We Didn’t Like:
- Relies primarily on plant-based fat
- Expensive
#5 Best Wet Food: Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein Chicken Formula Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 11% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 36
- Typical Cost Per Day: $3.40 per day
Best known for its cat litter, the Dr. Elsey’s brand also offers a line of low-carbohydrate dry and canned foods. In addition to being appropriate for diabetic cats, these foods also tend to be good options for cats with food allergies. The wet foods in particular are made with single sources of animal protein like chicken, duck, pork, salmon, or turkey.
Featuring chicken muscle meat and chicken liver as the two main ingredients, this recipe contains 50% crude protein measured as dry matter. The food is very low in carbohydrates and high in moisture to support your cat’s hydration. These features also contribute to the food’s high digestibility.
This canned food is also rich in animal-sourced omega-3 fatty acids from salmon oil and New Zealand green mussels. Omega-3s offer anti-inflammatory benefits which may help soothe itchy and irritated skin. As a recipe formulated for all life stages, omega-3s like DHA and EPA are particularly important for brain and eye development in kittens.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg Product, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil, Agar-Agar, Tricalcium Phosphate, Barley Grass, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Taurine, Turmeric, Dried New Zealand Green Mussels, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Magnesium Proteinate, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganese Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Folic Acid.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg Product, Salmon Oil, Dried New Zealand Green Mussels
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Highly digestible for most cats
- Rich in animal-sourced omega-3 fatty acids
- Very low carbohydrate content
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive
#6 Best Dry Food: Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Lamb Cat Food
- Made In: New Zealand
- Guaranteed Protein: 38% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 141
- Typical Cost Per Day: $3.01 per day
High-moisture foods are preferable kibble. If you’re dead set on feeding your cat dry food, however, this air-dried food from Ziwi Peak may be a solution.
Unlike most dry foods, it’s very low in carbohydrates and emphasizes meat and organs over anything else. The food is streamlined and simple, with a novel protein at the recipe’s heart. It’s rich in nutrients from lamb muscle meat, liver, and tripe. It’s supplemented with New Zealand green-lipped mussel, an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids.
The food’s biggest drawback is its price. Ziwi Peak’s air-dried food is significantly more expensive than most dry foods. Because it’s so calorie-dense, however, you won’t need to feed your cat as much as you might with an inexpensive kibble.
Ingredients
Lamb, Lamb Tripe, Lamb Lung, Lamb Heart, Lamb Liver, Lamb Bone, New Zealand Green Mussel, Lamb Kidney, Lamb Spleen, Lecithin, Lamb Cartilage, Inulin (from Chicory Root), Dried Apple Pomace, Minerals (Dipotassium Phosphate, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Sodium Selenite), Dried Organic Kelp, Salt, DL-Methionine, Preservative (Citric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols), Vitamins (Choline Chloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Taurine.
Ingredients We Liked: Lamb, Lamb Tripe, Lamb Lung, Lamb Heart, Lamb Liver, Lamb Bone, New Zealand Green Mussel, Lamb Kidney, Lamb Spleen, Lamb Cartilage
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Primarily made from a novel protein source
- Contains a mix of muscle meat, organs, and real bone
- Supplemented with green-lipped mussel
What We Didn’t Like:
- Very expensive
#7 Best Novel Protein: Go! Solutions Sensitivities Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Duck Pate
- Made In: Canada
- Guaranteed Protein: 7.5% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 29
- Typical Cost Per Day: $3.21 per day
Formulated specifically for cats with food allergies and sensitivities, this wet cat food from Go! Solutions contains just six key ingredients. Duck is the primary source of protein, supplemented with dried egg whites. Salmon oil provides a species-appropriate source of fat, particularly omega-3 fatty acids.
While this recipe is a limited ingredient formula, it isn’t a single-protein recipe. Be mindful of the dried egg whites if your cat has a chicken allergy. Some cats with chicken allergies are able to tolerate eggs, but individual cases vary. It’s also worth noting that gum thickeners like guar gum may trigger loose stools in some cats.
Overall, this recipe appears to be moderately high in animal-sourced protein and fat. The downside is its high carbohydrate content, largely due to the tapioca. While tapioca isn’t the most nutrient-rich ingredient for cats, it may be more digestible than legumes like peas or beans.
Ingredients
Duck, Duck Broth, Tapioca, Dried Egg Whites, Pumpkin, Cranberries, Flaxseed, Cassia Gum, Guar Gum, Tricalcium Phosphate, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Salmon Oil, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Salt, Magnesium Sulphate.
Ingredients We Liked: Duck, Dried Egg Whites, Salmon Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Tapioca, Cassia Gum, Guar Gum
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with a short list of key ingredients
- Rich in moisture and animal-sourced protein
- Highly digestible formula for most cats
- Salmon oil provides animal-sourced omega-3s
What We Didn’t Like:
- Guar gum may trigger loose stools in some cats
- May not be appropriate for cats with chicken allergies
#8 Best Limited Ingredient: Wellness CORE 95% Turkey Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 10% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 40
- Typical Cost Per Day: $2.64 per day
This canned food is primarily made from turkey, a good alternative for cats who would love to eat chicken but are allergic to it. In addition to turkey, the food contains a mix of gums, flaxseed as a source of fiber, and supplements.
Thanks to the use of two different gums and the inclusion of ground flaxseed, this is a relatively high-fiber food. This might be a good thing if your cat is constipated or has other digestive issues, but in general, this much fiber isn’t necessary for cats.
Overall, this appears to be a protein- and fat-rich recipe with plenty of hydrating moisture. The carbohydrate content is very low as well, which contributes to its digestibility. The food is free from animal by-products as well as artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Ingredients
Turkey, Water Sufficient For Processing, Cassia Gum, Xanthan Gum, Ground Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Salt, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Ingredients We Liked: Turkey
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Cassia Gum, Xanthan Gum
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with a single protein source
- Features turkey, a less commonly-allergenic alternative to chicken
- Simple ingredient list minimizes potential allergens
What We Didn’t Like:
- Relatively high fiber content compared to other wet foods
- Doesn’t contain turkey organs
#9 Best for Sensitive Stomach: Raised Right Turkey & Pumpkin Pate for Adult Cats
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 21% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 44
- Typical Cost Per Day: $3.05 per day
This simple fresh food formula is made with turkey as the sole source of animal protein. It contains turkey muscle meat as well as turkey hearts and liver. The food relies primarily on animal-sourced fat from cod liver oil, a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Though not specifically marketed as a limited ingredient diet, Raised Right cat foods feature short ingredient lists. They offer four formulas, two made with chicken and two with turkey. All four recipes are high in protein and low in carbohydrates.
This particular recipe contains about 64% dry matter protein. At about 67% moisture, the food is a little drier than the typical wet cat food, but it’s marketed as a paté, so the texture is about what you’d expect. It’s worth keeping this in mind, however, if your cat prefers broth- or gravy-style foods.
Ingredients
Turkey Thigh, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Pumpkin, Organic Spearmint, Cod Liver Oil, Egg Shell Powder, Flaxseed Oil, Organic Dried Kelp, Taurine, Thiamine Mononitrate.
Ingredients We Liked: Turkey Thigh, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Cod Liver Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with turkey as a single source of animal protein
- Relies primarily on animal-sourced fat from cod liver oil
- Low carbohydrate content, under 10% dry matter
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some cats don’t seem to enjoy the texture
- Only sold in packs of 4 or 16 bags
What to Consider When Shopping for Hypoallergenic Cat Food
Diets featuring hydrolyzed proteins are the only truly hypoallergenic foods on the market; hydrolyzed proteins have been chemically broken down with water (hydrolysis) to avoid triggering an allergic reaction. However, diets with hydrolyzed proteins are not right for every cat.
Instead of shopping exclusively for so-called hypoallergenic foods, the key is finding a food that works for your cat’s unique allergic situation. Your options fall into several key categories.
Also Read: Allergies in Cats: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments
Novel Protein Foods
Novel proteins don’t have to be exotic, odd, or expensive. Whether or not any given protein source is novel is determined by the eater, not the seller. For example, lamb-based foods are frequently marketed as novel protein diets, but if a cat has eaten only lamb-based food, chicken will be a novel protein for that cat.
Limited Ingredient Diets
Limited-ingredient food is a cornerstone of feeding a cat with allergies. Whether you’re creating an elimination diet to identify your cat’s allergies or accommodating the cat who’s allergic to everything, a limited-ingredient diet makes it easy to control what’s going into your cat’s body.
Not all limited-ingredient foods are the same, but they should all have characteristics that protect against an allergic reaction. They should be free of animal by-products and mystery meals that contain a nameless slurry of proteins. They should contain one primary high-quality protein source like chicken, turkey, or rabbit.
Hydrolyzed Foods
Perhaps the only true hypoallergenic cat food is the hydrolyzed diet. These foods are made with proteins that have undergone hydrolysis, as described above. Hydrolyzed foods are typically available with a prescription only.
Though they may prevent allergic reactions, hydrolyzed diets are flawed. They usually don’t taste great, are made from low-quality ingredients, and they’re usually more expensive than other foods of similar nutritional quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What food is best for cats with allergies?
The best food for a cat with allergies is one that doesn’t contain the ingredient (or ingredients) your cat is allergic to. If you’re not sure what that is, you’ll need to use an elimination diet to find out. Once you’ve identified the allergen, stick with a limited ingredient diet that meets your cat’s nutritional needs and doesn’t include the offending allergen.
Does hypoallergenic cat food really work?
It depends. Food allergies are just one type of allergies known to affect cats. If your cat’s allergies are caused by something in the environment, a change of diet might not help. If food is the problem, switching to a diet free from the thing your cat is allergic to should resolve the issue.
What ingredient in cat food causes allergies?
Food allergies are typically triggered by proteins in the food. While it’s possible for cats to develop allergies to grains and dairy, the most common food allergens for cats are beef, fish, and chicken. In some cases, cats develop allergies to more than one ingredient.
How can I tell if my cat is allergic to their food?
While some cats develop digestive symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting related to food allergies, the most common signs are recurrent skin problems. Food allergies often manifest as skin inflammation, itchy skin, dry or dull coat, recurring ear infections, and hair loss.
This is great! Thanks for doing the research for us! My itchy cat thanks you, too.
Joey, thank you for stopping by! All the best to you and your (hopefully soon-to-be-less-itchy) kitty.
Hello my cat has scabs all over her backside. The Vet thinks it’s an allergy. She was eating Pure Vita chicken or Turkey, which she loved, but the Vet said to nix the poultry. I tried rabbit, that was a no go. Tried bison and she’s not a fan. I just bought Open Farms whitefish which she seems to enjoy, but you don’t cover it. Any thoughts? Ps she doesn’t like wet food, she just licks off the sauce. Ty in advance
Hi Karen, thanks for commenting! I took a look at Open Farms’ Whitefish recipe and it looks like a relatively good choice in terms of ingredient quality and simplicity—the latter being beneficial for your cat’s possibly-allergic reactions. That said, it is, like most grain-free dry foods, relatively high in carbohydrates and plant protein, neither of which appear to be particularly nutritious additions to your cat’s diet.
My senior cat unfortunately developed little bumpy sores which I decided were due to chicken allergy, as she was fed exclusively Hill’s Science Diet for years at the rescue where she lived. I put her on Natrue’s Variety Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe with Real Rabbit Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Cat Food, and waited twelve weeks, as advised by, well, the internet. Everything cleared up, so I briefly re-introduced her to turkey and duck for about a week, and the sores flared right back up. We are now about 8 weeks back exclusive on the rabbit and it’s clearing up again. On Chewy there are many reviews saying it helped their kitty too.
One of my two cats has developed a food allergy and vomits after eating the food he’s been on for 4 years: Hill’s Science Diet chicken recipe dry food. The vet has us transition to Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA hydrolyzed formula, which my other cat has now developed an allergy to, and has started trying to scratch his face off. They are both very food-motivated so the chip-access feeders wouldn’t work, they’d go nuts smelling a different food from the other’s bowl. What can you recommend?
Hi Cami, thanks for the comment. It’s interesting that your other cat has developed an allergy to hydrolyzed food—generally, these foods should be hypoallergenic. Have you confirmed with your vet that this is actually an allergic reaction to the food? Regardless, I would consider feeding the cats in separate rooms at alternating times to avoid the issue of one being too interested in another’s food. This is more a matter of strategy than just getting a different product, I think. This website has a few potential solutions, and the comment section should also give you some ideas. https://www.catfooddispensersreviews.com/how-to-stop-a-cat-from-eating-the-other-cats-food/
Hope this helps to ease some of your frustration! Good luck with everything. – Mallory
Have a cat and her nose stays raw in the summer but this winter she’s all healed up.she won’t stay in the house and the vet says she’s allergic to grass. I changed her food to a freeze dried food. Doñt know if this will help during summer or not.any reccomendations?
Hey there. If your cat’s allergic to grass, the best way to help is avoiding grass. 🙂
However, the right diet may be able to help by reducing the inflammatory response, and a lot of freeze-dried foods will do a good job of this. You can also think about adding an anti-inflammatory supplement like fish or krill oil. Hope this helps!
Hello, my cat has ibd so looking for a good wet and dry food. I’ve looked at Kakin and cool cat club. Could you suggest a good food for a cat with diarrhoea?
Many thanks
Hi Debbie, thanks for commenting! We have some recommendations specifically for cats with diarrhea here.
My 8 yr old cat has been diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel disease. Ive tried the diet switch, baby food, boiled chicken, Blue basics and now Steroids. He continues to throw up. Any suggestions on a good cat food?
Soni, that’s such a frustrating situation. I can’t give you much more information than what we’ve already written in our article on the best cat food for IBD. I hope you find it helpful and are able to relieve your kitty’s stomach issues.
Hi there, thank you for the amazing tips in all categories !
Our cat is 11 years old and since last year seams to have developped a chicken allergy .
She is also overweight and since the vet put her on the Royal Canin ANallergenic dry and the Duck wet food she gained
a lot of weight . I am desperately looking for a wet canned food with less calories and suited for her allergy .
Any suggestions ? Thank you !!!!
Dana, Koha Pet offers a great selection of foods well suited to cats with allergies, including some with lower calorie content. I’d recommend checking them out!
Thank you so much Mallory, we actually just started to introduce the Koha Rabbit au Jus and crossing fingers.
Would you advise for or against the Turkey Stew, for our chicken allergic cat or is it too risky ( too close to chicken ) ??
We are in canada and sadly, we do not have the whole range of Koha products yet. Hoping for more in the future .
Many thanks !
I need a hydrolyzed cat food that doesn’t have chicken, turkey or any foul. Purina Pro ha resulted in an inner ear, middle ear infection that was Undiagnosed and proceeded into a brain stem abscess.
Or a limited ingredient food without any chicken, turkey, foul etc.
Need something else besides blue Buffalo hf, no one likes that and another cat may be allergic to it.
Please help.
Thank you very much
Elena
Hi Elena, apologies for the delay in response! It looks like Farmina has a fish-based hydrolyzed cat food, though they note it’s intended to be used as an elimination diet for 3-8 weeks. Here’s a link to that product:
We also have a list of chicken-free cat foods where you might find some non-prescription options to consider. Best of luck to you and your cats!
Thank you very much! I had actually found Farmina Vet Life and started them last month. I will check the other link for other Foods.
Thank you very much!
Elena
Glad to hear it! Let us know how it goes 🙂