Cats, just like humans, can suffer from allergies – the only difference is that they cannot voice their suffering, and thus it is up to the owner to spot the signs. If you have noticed that your that cat is regularly vomiting or is suffering from diarrhoea, irritated skin, a reduction in the health of their coat or hair loss, then there is a chance he or she may have a food allergy. It can take years for a cat to develop an allergy to a particular food, so don’t think just because your cat is old and has been eating the same pet food for years that it is definitely immune to allergies.
Most food allergies are associated with protein sources and occur when a cat develops an over-sensitised immune system that causes histamines to be released during the process of trying to digest protein – and it is these histamines that cause the unpleasant symptoms of the allergy. The simplest way to try to cure your cat is try out a difference source of protein as he or she may be allergic to just one type. For example, if your pet currently receives a lamb-based diet, try changing to a duck or egg-based diet. However, if the symptoms continue, it could be that your cat is allergic to all proteins, and in this case you may well need to source special nutritionally-focussed pet foods that contain proteins which have already been broken down.
If problems still persist, the allergy may be of a less common variety and you may simply have to consult your vet for a professional diagnosis and specialist advice tailored to your pet.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.