Best Hypoallergenic Foods for Cats
Vets recommend you keep your furry friends healthy by feeding them the best hypoallergenic foods for cats! We have compiled the best hypoallergenic cat foods for you here!
Hypoallergenic foods for cats are exactly what your furry friends need to stay healthy and happy. If you have noticed a decreased appetite in your cats, sneezing, vomiting or lethargy, it’s probably because you’re feeding the wrong diets.
After extensive research, we settled on Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers Grain-Free https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YWPIF2O/ as the best hypoallergenic cat foot in the market today. Not only does it has a free grain recipe, but it also enjoys an abundant chicken protein. The single animal protein is good for kitties with sensitive stomachs, as it does not induce vomiting. So, the pack gives your cat a full nutrition package.
As a cat parent, nothing will frustrate you more than watching your kitty suffer in pain. The mere thought of seeing your cat struggles to eat or keep anything down its tummy is stressful. While this could be from an infection, it’s highly likely that the cat is suffering a food-related allergy.
Some foods typically invite unwanted responses in your cats. Food sensitivity is common in humans… and pets too! Felines not only want to keep their skins clean but also their tummies. So, you might easily invoke a sensitivity by feeding your cat with the wrong foods.
Hypoallergenic diets manage the feeding habits of cats by ensuring their nutrient requirements are met without including any allergens. If you notice your cat doesn’t like certain foods or vomits every time you feed it on foods with certain ingredients, you should consider trying a diet that works well with the feline’s digestion.
Top 10 Best Hypoallergenic Foods for Cats
Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers Grain-Free
All cats love chicken meat- it’s what they hunt in the wild. This 14-pound chicken protein cat food is going to serve that purpose. On the good side, it contains no gluten or allergens, making it a top choice when handling felines with sensitive stomachs. It’s raw, and you may want to cook it a little, but your cat will still be okay when you feed it directly.
Pros
Gluten-free
Dry food
Natural chicken proteins
Recommended by veterinarians
Suitable for cats and dogs alike
Cons
Made primarily for puppies
Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Sensitive Skin and Stomach
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005HH6MPS/
When you are looking for foods that don’t cause any skin irritations or vomiting in your cats, you should have Purina Pro Plan in mind. Purina comes in seven styles depending on your cat’s preferences. Then, real meat is the main ingredient, and it contains minerals, nutrients, vitamins, and fatty acids. The prebiotic fiber provides the ideal environment for the growth of healthy intestinal bacteria, and this keeps your feline comfortable.
Pros
Natural ingredients
Hypoallergenic meat is the main ingredient
Easily digestive by kittens
Fatty acids present
Multivitamins and minerals
Cons
May contain some rice and grain
Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Natural Adult Dry Cat Food https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008EXERJK/
Although it has nothing to do with buffalos, this product will undoubtedly provide a substantial boost to your cat’s immunity. With chicken proteins as the main ingredients, this diet will be good for young kitties and puppies.
Still, Blue buffalo contains some added veggies that will give your furry friend the vitamins and minerals it needs to grow. The peas, blueberries, and carrots contained supplement the feline’s vitamin needs. With probiotics, the cat forms healthy bacteria and makes digestion easy. There are no added flavors, colors, or anything that hurts your cat’s moods.
Pros
Chicken protein
Added veggies, tubers and fruits for vitamin and minerals
The wholesome formula for a healthy alimentary canal
No flavors or colors added.
Cons
It’s not a pure meat diet
Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach And Skin Dry Cat
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003MWBFXY/
If your cat is having severe sensitivity to food, it’s necessary to visit the vet. Of course, you will find out that you need to do away with some of the food ingredients.
An excellent hypoallergenic cat food diet has to be rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein to boost its immunity.
Hill’s Science Diet shows results in less than a week as the skin and coat start recuperating. Then, the natural meat diet ensures that your cat never throws up or diarrheas again.
Pros
Rich in vitamins and minerals
Gluten-free
Works well for cats that vomit and diarrhea
Approved by cat owners and veterinarians
Improves coat and skin
Cons
Not purely a meat formula
Iams Proactive Health Adult Cat Food
Cat food needs to have well-calculated ingredients that will not affect the pet’s health or sensitivity. A cat with a sensitive stomach is likely to be lethargic and unhappy.
You want to keep your furry friend cheerful, but this shall happen only if you feed it properly. Iams Proactive Health is from reputable manufacturers with vast experience in feline products.
Pros
Prebiotic blend for healthy intestines
The sizeable kibble pieces are easy to munch for kittens
Rich in natural protein
Cons
Not entirely meat
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult, Sensitive Stomach & Skin
https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Balance-Limited-Ingredient-10-Pound/dp/B000XS6RJW
A 15.5-pound package of hypoallergenic cat food is precisely what you need to feed your cat for the week. Grab one today and fuel your feline’s joy, energy, and immunity. With a prebiotic fiber, your furry friend’s intestines will grow healthy bacteria that support proper digestion.
Pros
Multivitamin nutrients and Minerals
Natural flavors only
Recommended by the vet
Cons
Contains some gluten elements
So What Exactly Are Cat Food Allergies?
Food allergy is the third most common type of allergy among cats, only dwarfed by bug allergies and airborne particles. When a substance in your cat’s diet is not well received by the immune system, it triggers certain reactions. The immunity of the cat, therefore, has to try and fight the foreign substance. The antibodies released in the cat’s body will try to attack the allergen, and this will form a reaction in the overall behavior of your cat.
It doesn’t matter whether the allergen itself is harmful or not, but as long as the cat’s immune system doesn’t like it, it’s not suitable for the cat.
Also, remember that a food allergy can also damage your kitty’s intestine. Over some time, this could lead to lots of problems, including the inability to absorb certain vital nutrients. In severe cases, your cat’s immune system could be weakened.
And although scientists have not been able to conclude what exactly causes allergies, most cats develop hypersensitivity between the ages of 2 and 6. Also, certain breeds are more susceptible to allergies than others are.
But, some foods cause allergies among cats, including grains, food colors, and artificial preservatives. The gluten material protein found in wheat and other grains is usually unwanted in a cat’s tummy.
Common symptoms of food allergies in cats
You may find out that your cat has got yeast infections when you give your veterinarian a trip. You should not be quick to judge on your own, and that’s why I would insist you visit the veterinarian.
If your cat, for instance, has a chronic problem with their skin and does not fully recover even after medication, then this could be because of its diet.
Here are some common signs that your cat needs hypoallergenic cat food.
- Fatigue and lethargyRunny eyes and unending watery nose
- The coat looks dull
- The cat’s skin smells foul
- Excessive itching
- Red and inflamed skin
- Vomiting and nausea
- Sneezing and coughing
- When the cat chews its paws
- When the cat snores too loud
Food Allergy versus Food Intolerance
Sometimes, it’s not that your cat has an allergy, but it could probably be intolerant to specific diets. For instance, some cats will throw up while others will have issues with their skins. A large number of allergy-related cases are typically portrayed in the immune system’s reactivity. Therefore, you are likely to see a change in the behavior of a cat. This should alarm you to realize that it could be suffering from food sensitivity.
Then, there is a food intolerance, which has typically gastrointestinal effects such as diarrhea and vomit. The good thing is that the best hypoallergenic cat food that you buy is going to solve both the intolerance and the allergies.
And how do hypoallergenic cat foods help the situation?
Hypoallergenic cat food is one that doesn’t contain any allergens. It has high-quality proteins, fats, fruits, vegetables, and low carbs. Also, there are no added ingredients, such as industrial artificial colors or additives.
Therefore, the limited ingredient foods have minimal processing, and they will not affect your cat’s sensitivity. Yet, we must appreciate that hypoallergenic cat foods might work for some cats and not for others. So, you should research different brands as this largely depends on each animal’s conditions or immunity.
The good thing is that the hypoallergenic cat foods significantly reduce sensitivity and intolerance.
Best hypoallergenic cat foods buying guide
The market has hundreds of brands that will allegedly alleviate allergies in your cat. You first need to look at your cat itself to understand the food allergies and intolerances that it has.
This way, you will easily make a right decision on the best products for that specific kitty. We believe the cat food brands above will help you in doing this. But there are certain things you need to have in mind when choosing food for Your Furry Friend.
Is your cat on a wet or dry diet?
Among the most critical decisions, a cat parent must make whether to feed the animal on wet or dry food.
When you decide to go to the dry cat food way, your kitty might find the texture appealing. But, you have to understand that you risk dehydration since the food contains little moisture. And, certain breeds have intolerances towards dry foods. In such a case, you will need to supplement your diet with some water or liquids.
If you choose wet foods, you need to have in mind that your kitty might also get easily affected by the taste. World over, top veterinarians will advise to interchange the dry and wet foods. When you do both, you will enjoy the benefits of each side.
What kind of protein is present?
You have already seen the importance of proteins in your kitty’s body system. You’ve also noticed that some proteins, such as the gluten that comes from cereals and grains, aren’t suitable for felines. Therefore, you need to find out the kind of protein present in the cat food that you intend to purchase. Many kittens will like fish and chicken.
Just because a brand is labeled hypoallergenic does not ascertain that your cat will tolerate its ingredients. Kittens usually do well with poultry proteins such as turkey and ducks, as well as chicken.
At least, you want the proteins present in the cat food to be similar to what cats hunt in the woods. For even better, look for products with real meat as the main ingredient.
Deboned chicken, for instance, is ideal because it has the proteins that your cat needs. And, if you can see organ meat in the ingredients list, then you should embrace that. Usually, livers, hearts, and kidneys have lots of minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients.
And the following ingredients are not hypoallergenic at all
Some commercially canned foods contain harmful components, and you should watch out. The work of hypoallergenic products is to make sure that your cat does not get ill. You are trying to reduce the chances of your cat catching an allergy. Avoid any of the following ingredients because they will quickly induce allergies in your kitten.
- Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and butter
- Grains such as corn and wheat
- By-products of meat which are usually very hard to digest
- Avocados
- Any artificial preservatives or color
- Avoid seafood.
In conclusion
Hypoallergenic cat foods are exactly what your animal needs to stay away from unnecessary allergies and intolerances. Your cat should enjoy the food and never vomit or have a problem.
Skin irritation, vomiting, and deterioration in overall health is a red flag, and you should always make sure to improve on the diet. Since you may want to introduce medications to your cat, you also need to look at the cause of the problem because it’ll mostly emanate from the food your cat eats.
As a caring cat parent, the best you should do is give your cat hypoallergenic food, even if they don’t show any symptoms of an allergy or intolerance. Besides the nutrient density in the meals, they also come at a reasonable price, and they boost the immunity of your lovely furry friend. Which brand do you like most?
Writers comments
At some point, we may have to add content to this article, eg, Frequently asked questions, more product reviews, diagnosis on allergic cats, treating allergic cats, etc, etc. The competitors have over 4000 words of content, and this may pose a great challenge in ranking.