Allergies can be a real pain in the neck… head, back, gut, you name it.
There are not only a whole bunch of potential allergens out there, but also a whole bunch of symptoms your cat could be presenting with. That’s why, if you suspect your pet isn’t as happy and healthy as he or she should be, you should pop to see your vet.
Signs of allergies to look out for in your four pawed friend include:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
- Itchiness
- Stress
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Chewed paws
- Runny eyes
And these can be caused by anything from pollen to perfumes, prescription drugs to plastics, fleas, fabrics and even food.
Try removing allergens
On the advice of your vet, you may be able to solve the problem by simply removing the offending allergens from your home and garden. For allergens that are beyond your control such as pollens, mildew and certain plants your vet can prescribe medication to alleviate the issues.
Is it your cat’s diet?
If other diagnoses have been ruled out, then your vet may recommend you feed your cat a prescription or hydrolyzed protein diet for 12 weeks to see if their food is the problem. If your cat’s symptoms disappear you’ll know it was a food allergy. At this point you can reintroduce old food incrementally until you discover which particular ingredient was triggering the immune response. Make sure to transition your cat’s diet safely if you do decide they could benefit from a diet change.
Don’t worry! Allergy-causing foods are incredibly common in commercial cat foods
Your cat can develop an allergy at any point. There’s really no fool-proof way of preventing a problem before it starts, however a varied diet can help reduce the onset of allergies. Animal-based ingredients like, beef, whitefish, dairy and lamb can all cause adverse reactions at some time in your pet’s life. As can plant-based ingredients such as wheat, corn or soy.
You can choose foods that minimise the risk to your feline friend…
Here’s what to feed cats to do just that: a high protein cat food with no wheat, corn or soya and a ‘novel’ ingredient like salmon, turkey or duck. Cat foods labelled ‘grain-free’ or ‘limited ingredient’ are usually a safe bet.
Applaws dry food is grain-free and both our wet and dry foods only include ingredients that have a benefit to your cat. There are no fillers or nasty unknowns, so you can feed your cat and be confident you’re giving them the best possible chance to stay happy and healthy. Click here to browse the Applaws range.
