How long for cat food allergies to go away? A cat food allergy can often go away by the cat’s own body eliminating the reaction. Although it can take months, allergies typically go away in a few weeks to three years.
If they don’t go away, you may need to get tested for other ingredients in your particular brand of food and give your cats canned or raw meat and vegetables. It may be best to try a different brand of cat food.
Symptoms of cat food allergies can be mild to severe depending on the food and how often the cat gets it. Signs include:
- red and irritated skin
- gagging and vomiting
- swelling of the face, lips, and paws
- diarrhea.
Allergies can also cause constipation. One cat may have diarrhea while another has constipation. If you suspect an allergy, it is best to try a different brand of cat food.
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How long for cat food allergies to go away?
The simple answer is that food allergies don’t go away. To prevent food allergies, you must ensure the cat doesn’t eat anything it’s allergic to and it’s not a problem. If the cat is allergic to the food it’s allergic to, the only way to get rid of the allergic reaction is to eliminate that food. In a case like this, getting tested for other ingredients and eliminating them will help bring the reaction under control.
What to Do About cat Food Allergies?
If you suspect your cat has food allergies, you must first test to see if it is indeed an allergy. You can take the cat to your veterinarian, and they may be able to run a simple test. A couple of different tests are available; the most common is called RAST (Radio-Immuno-Sorbent Test).
This method involves adding a small amount of blood to the test strips, then exposing them to various raw/cooked foods. If the blood turns a certain color, the cat is allergic to that food. However, if you get a false negative with this test, you may have to try another one.
If your cat is indeed allergic to the food, you can do two things: preservatives and sedating your cat. You can slowly introduce one new allergen at a time until they’ve had it for six months. Or, you can try using a different brand of food or a less allergenic brand.
You can also try giving your cat raw meat and vegetables to eat. But getting rid of the food that is causing the allergic reaction isn’t the end of it. One final step that you can take is testing for other household foods and medications (such as antibiotics). If your cat takes antibiotics for a known infection, he might be allergic to them.
7 Key Facts About Food Allergies In Cats
Food allergies in cats are caused by the immune system reacting to certain components in a food. These allergies can be mild, such as skin problems and itching, to more severe, such as anaphylaxis which can be life-threatening.
Here are 7 key facts about food allergies in cats:
1. Food allergies in cats can vary from person to person and from cat to cat, depending on what the cat is allergic to.
2. Food allergies are very common in cats. Up to 40% of all cats are (or will be) allergic to something in the foods they eat.
3. Symptoms of cat food allergies can be mild to severe depending on the food and how often the cat gets it.
4. If a cat is allergic to wheat, it may go into anaphylactic shock if given certain foods made with wheat, such as bread and pasta.
5. Somewhat unusual but possible are “gluten intolerances” in cats: small amounts of gluten protein in the bloodstream causing some symptoms similar to food allergies.
6. Food allergies in cats can cause a whole array of symptoms, including skin problems, and itching, to more serious symptoms such as anaphylaxis and life-threatening conditions.
7. If a cat has food allergies, you may need to try changing the type of food and see if this makes any difference. You will also need to try eliminating certain preservatives from the diet. The most common culprits are BHT, TBHQ (butylated hydroxyanisole), and potassium sorbate. These preservatives have been used in pet foods for years, but they can cause many cat problems, including skin itching and disorders.
The Most Common Causes of Food Allergies In Cats
Food allergies in cats are caused by the immune system reacting to certain components in a food. These allergies can be mild, such as skin problems and itching, to more severe, such as anaphylaxis which can be life-threatening.
Here are the most common causes of food allergies in cats:
1. The most common cause of food allergies in cats is the use of wheat in pet foods. Wheat is extremely common in pet foods because it is cheap and easy to grow and can be used for commercial bread.
2. Another cause of cat food allergies is corn use. Corn is a common ingredient in cat foods because it too can be made into commercially available bread and cakes. Corn also makes up a good proportion of the ingredients used to make cat treats (like popcorn).
3. Potatoes are also commonly used as an ingredient in cat foods. Potatoes are relatively cheap and easy to grow.
4. Other types of foods that can cause food allergies in cats include rice, soy, and garlic.
5. Many pet foods contain wheat as an ingredient, even though they are not made specifically with wheat as the main ingredient. These ingredients often contain other grains such as barley (for example), oat, or millet which may also cause an allergic reaction in cats.
6. Some cat foods contain an ingredient called “caramel coloring, ” a type of carbon black. Many ingredients that contain Carmel coloring can cause reactions in cats, though the reactions are much less severe than true food allergies.
7. Other foods that can cause allergic reactions to cats and pet owners include tuna, mackerel, fish oil supplements, and cod liver oil supplements (all of which raise levels of Vitamin A in the blood).
Resolving Cat Food Allergies
The way to resolve cat food allergies is to treat the root cause of the problem. That means treating the cat’s immune system and getting rid of any changes that may have been made to the body due to these allergic reactions.
Some common ways to treat these allergies include:
1. Raising Vitamin A levels in cats with natural supplements containing vitamin A such as cod liver oil (although there are contraindications for use in some parts of the world).
2. Give the cat a supplement containing essential fatty acids.
3. Treating the cat with homeopathy makes him less allergic to food.
4. Using other supplements such as Green Lipped Mussel Powder, a natural anti-inflammatory and immune support supplement.
5. Do not feed your catfish if he is allergic to it: make sure you do not feed any kind of fish if you know your cat is allergic to it.
6. Feed your cat other meats such as chicken, turkey, and beef.
7. Avoid giving your cat foods made with wheat, corn, potatoes, rice, soy, and garlic: these foods should be avoided if you have a cat food allergy.
8. It is not necessary to completely switch your cat’s diet. This can make things worse for some cats because of the change in their food stomachs and because they will become bored of the new diet (and may start looking for their old favorite foods).
How to Spot Food Allergies in Cats?
If your cat has food allergies, you may notice a range of different symptoms in your cat. These include:
1. A change in appetite.
2. Diarrhea.
3. Digestive problems include flatulence, bloating, and vomiting after eating.
4. Skin problems, including dry skin and what is commonly called “dandruff,” or a dry, flaky skin condition on the back of the neck or tail area which resembles dandruff (symptoms will be worse when the weather is cold).
5. Itching may be worse at certain times of the year, usually in high humidity (despite this, it is important to keep the cat’s fur clean).
6. Hair loss and skin problems on the paw pads or balls of the feet are known as “hot spots.”
7. An ability to eat some foods that your cat does not like.
8. Changes in the bowel movements, e.g., diarrhea, constipation, or both (causing alternating soft stools and diarrhea).
9. Asthma symptoms when eating certain foods.
10. Chronic tiredness and fatigue, especially after eating certain foods: this is usually caused by a reaction to the food being eaten, causing nutrient deficiencies in your cat’s bloodstream (as a result of the immune system attacking certain food ingredients).
Can cats be allergic to dry food?
Yes, they can. Cats can be allergic to dry food, and the most common causes of a cat becoming allergic to dry food are:
1. If your cat has a grain allergy, this may cause an allergy to a type of carbohydrate in the dry food.
2. Some cats are just intolerant to certain types of protein in dry foods, particularly if they are intolerant to grains (which is quite common).
3. Some cats are allergic to the preservatives used in dry food.
4. Dry foods may contain foods your cat is allergic to (they will also taste bad initially). However, they do not always cause an allergic reaction in cats.
5. Dry foods may also contain food additives and other chemicals which can cause an allergic reaction in your cat, even if they do not cause an allergic reaction in you (the human consumer).
Final Thoughts
Allergies can be difficult to deal with and hard to resolve in cats. However, if you know what to do and are not too sensitive about making these changes, you can resolve your cat’s allergies without too much effort.
The above recommendations are what I have found most effective in resolving food allergies in cats. Of course, they may not work for everyone, but they are a good place to start if you want to find out how to treat cat food allergies.
I hope you found this article useful. If you have any questions about this topic, please do not hesitate to contact me by leaving a comment below. Please share this with your friends if you find it interesting and helpful.
FAQs
Can cats be allergic to cat food?
Yes. Cats can be allergic to cat food, but pet owners often misdiagnose cat food allergies.
Can a cat be allergic to organic cat food?
Yes. Cats can be allergic to any cat food, including organic cat food.
Can cats be allergic to fish?
Yes. Cats can be allergic to fish and seafood, even though it is a common ingredients in many cat foods. Fish allergies are one of the most common allergies in cats.
Are all cats allergic to cow milk?
No. Some cats are not allergic to milk or milk products. However, they can be allergic to food that contains milk substitutes, such as soy milk.
How does a cat become allergic to fish?
The most common cause of a cat being allergic to fish is from eating seafood known to cause allergies in cats. Other causes of fish allergies include eating seafood during pregnancy and being exposed to allergenic proteins in some types of fish (such as the toxins in raw salmon).
What is food allergy dermatitis in cats?
Food allergy dermatitis in cats is a skin condition caused by an allergic reaction to the cat’s food. The symptoms of food allergy dermatitis are usually itching around the nose, eyes, and mouth, which may worsen at certain times of the year, as well as redness and swelling around the mouth. Food allergy dermatitis may also cause hair loss, skin infections, and sores on the paws.
How long do allergy symptoms last in cats?
The symptoms of food allergies in cats can last from 3 days to 7 days.
What is the most common food allergy in cats?
The most common food allergy in cats is to fish and seafood.
What causes a cat to get food allergies?
The main cause of a cat becoming allergic to food is eating the wrong protein, including grain proteins. An allergic reaction often occurs when the allergenic proteins from the grain proteins trigger an immune reaction if eaten by the immune system. The allergic reaction can happen all at once or slowly build up over time.
Hi there! My name is Koushik; I am a cat lover. I specialize in writing about pet care & food. I have a wealth of knowledge on cat food niches and related subjects. I have worked in the pet industry for over 5 years and am passionate about helping cat owners provide the best care for their furry friends. With knowledge of cat food and nutrition, I aim to share their insights and help cat owners navigate the world of cat food niches. I enjoy playing with my two cats, reading, and exploring new cat food brands in my free time.
