Allergies don’t just affect humans—dogs and cats struggle with them, too! And if your cat or dog is allergic to something (or you suspect they are), you’re probably wondering what you can do to relieve their symptoms.
For many pet owners, diet seems like the most natural solution. But what is the best food for dogs and cats with allergies? That depends on your unique pet and what they’re allergic to.
Getting to the bottom of your pet’s allergies is rarely a straightforward process, but it’s one that we deal with frequently at our Altamonte Springs clinic. From allergy testing to recognizing the symptoms, here’s everything you need to know about treating your pet’s allergies.
Signs Your Dog Or Cat Has an Allergy
Because our pets can’t tell us how they are feeling, it’s important for pet owners to be on the lookout for any signs of an allergic reaction (or injury/illness, for that matter!).
The most common allergy symptoms in dogs and cats are:
- Red, irritated, itchy skin
- Hair loss
- Excessive scratching and/or licking
- Sneezing or coughing
- Gastrointestinal issues, such as vomiting and diarrhea
It’s important to note that your pet’s symptoms do not always indicate the type of allergy they have. For example, itchy skin is a common symptom of food allergies in dogs and cats.
Allergy Testing
The first step in treating your dog or cat’s allergies is to figure out what they are allergic to. Your pet’s veterinarian should first rule out any other conditions, such as fleas/ticks, skin and/or ear infections, or illness.
Blood tests can help identify food and/or environmental allergies, although in some cases, a limited ingredient diet or elimination diet trial may be needed.
Best Food For Dogs and Cats With Allergies
If your vet has determined that your dog or cat has a food allergy, it is important that you take steps to eliminate the allergen from their diet. Dogs can be allergic to beef, chicken, lamb, wheat, soy, and more common dog food ingredients, while food allergies in cats can also be quite common. Many cats are allergic to beef, chicken, eggs, milk, and turkey. This means for many cats, fish-based foods might be your best option! Many vets might also recommend a novel protein diet, trying a protein your cat has not eaten before, such as duck or rabbit.
Switching to hydrolyzed protein food—food in which the proteins are chemically broken down—for 2-3 months can help you identify what ingredient your pet is allergic to.
Ultimately, the best diet for cats and dogs with allergies is one that doesn’t contain the ingredient they are allergic to. Yes, it really is that simple!
The problem is when pet owners try to tackle this issue on their own rather than working with a veterinarian. They may end up treating the wrong allergy or even an “allergy” that doesn’t actually exist.
Is Your Dog/Cat Actually Allergic?
As a veterinarian, I strongly advise pet owners to work with a licensed vet before introducing hypoallergenic food or other forms of treatment.
This is because a lot of the symptoms we associate with allergies—such as itchy skin and hair loss—can be caused by other conditions. For instance, an illness or parasite can cause GI issues. Mange, fleas, and yeast infections can all cause itchy skin.
Cats and dogs can even be allergic to pollen, grass, and mold, none of which will be treated by going on a special diet. Your pet can also be allergic to other animals—even humans! So your dog may be allergic to cats or vice versa.
Your pet’s veterinarian can perform the necessary tests to distinguish an allergy from a skin infection and give you the proper treatment.
Your Pet’s Partner In Health
At Westmonte Animal Clinic, we help dogs and cats overcome their allergies every day. Whether your pet has recently developed allergies or they have been in a life-long struggle, we can help you get to the bottom of their symptoms and develop a treatment plan that works.
Our state-of-the-art vet clinic is equipped with an in-house lab to make allergy testing quick and easy, and we also offer nutritional counseling to give your pet the best dietary head start.
Schedule an appointment today!