A few weeks ago, we answered a question on our Facebook page about the best cat food for cats who have a chicken allergy. If your cat reacts to any protein in chicken, you have to go above and beyond to find cat food for allergies to chicken.
This can be particularly challenging because a very large part of cat food recipes include chicken. However, there are some very good chicken-free options that you can get for your cat. These will provide it with the nutrients it needs without sparking its allergies. We will list some good options in this article to give you a few ideas.
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Cats, with their discerning palates and independent spirits can sometimes develop sensitivities or full-blown allergies to certain ingredients in their food. Chicken a common protein source in many commercial cat foods, is a frequent culprit. But what if your feline friend is allergic to chicken? Does that automatically mean they can’t enjoy other poultry options like turkey?
The answer, as with many things related to our furry companions, is a bit more nuanced. While chicken and turkey are both poultry and share some protein similarities they’re not identical. This means that a cat allergic to chicken might not necessarily be allergic to turkey offering a potential alternative protein source. However, there’s a catch: cross-reactivity.
Cross-reactivity: A Potential Pitfall
Cross-reactivity occurs when the immune system, primed to react to a specific protein (in this case, chicken), mistakenly identifies a similar protein (turkey) as the same threat. This can lead to allergic reactions even though the cat hasn’t been directly exposed to turkey before.
The likelihood of cross-reactivity between chicken and turkey varies depending on individual cats and their sensitivities. Some cats might experience mild reactions, while others might have more severe responses. Therefore, introducing turkey to a chicken-allergic cat requires careful consideration and a close partnership with your veterinarian.
If you’re considering offering turkey to your chicken-allergic cat, here’s a cautious approach:
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Consult your veterinarian: This is the golden rule. Discuss your cat’s allergy, their individual sensitivities, and your desire to explore turkey as an alternative protein. Your vet can advise on the best course of action and recommend appropriate tests to assess the risk of cross-reactivity.
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Start with a small trial: If your vet gives the green light, begin with a tiny amount of turkey, ideally a novel protein source your cat hasn’t encountered before. Monitor your cat closely for any signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
- Itchy skin and excessive scratching
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Sneezing or runny eyes
- Swelling of the face or paws
- Difficulty breathing
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Gradual increase and careful observation: You can progressively increase the amount of turkey over a few days or weeks if your cat accepts the first small amount without exhibiting any negative reactions. Continue to monitor your cat closely throughout the process.
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Reactions should be promptly addressed by a veterinarian: If your cat shows any indications of an allergic reaction to turkey, stop giving it right away and get in touch with your vet. They can provide appropriate treatment and guidance.
Additional Considerations for Cats with Poultry Allergies
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Diets with few ingredients: Choose cat food that has only one protein source and few ingredients, ideally a new protein that your cat hasn’t been exposed to before. This minimizes the risk of triggering an allergic reaction.
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Read labels carefully: Always scrutinize ingredient lists to avoid hidden sources of chicken or turkey, even in trace amounts.
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Consider alternative protein sources: If both chicken and turkey are off the menu, explore other protein options like duck, rabbit, or fish. Consult your veterinarian for recommendations based on your cat’s specific needs and preferences.
Remember, navigating food allergies in cats requires a personalized approach. Always work closely with your veterinarian to ensure your furry friend enjoys a healthy and allergy-free diet.
How do you know if your cat is allergic to chicken?
One of our readers said “Constant diarrhoea is another sign for us. Soon as we take out tuna, kibble and chicken we see a rapid change to normal litterbox habits. ” If a cat develops a food allergy, it will also display symptoms. The most noticeable one is persistent diarrhea. This type of diarrhea is maintained by the presence of the allergen (the chicken). As long as the cat eats chicken, it will also have diarrhea. Moreover, it is resistant to other drugs or antibiotics that are commonly prescribed to treat diarrhea because the cause is not bacterial. It may improve with anti-diarrhea medication, but it does not go away while the allergen is still present. In fact, the challenge is actually identifying the allergen.
When a food allergy is suspected, the cat must first go on a hypoallergenic diet. This will improve the diarrhea and it will give it a chance to regain its strength. Dehydration, insufficient nutritional absorption, weight loss, exhaustion, and dermatological issues (affecting the skin, fur, and claws) are some of the more serious secondary symptoms of chronic diarrhea. Once the cat is stabilized on the hypoallergenic diet, each type of meat is introduced individually. This is done over the course of a few weeks, maybe months. When a specific type of meat is introduced, diarrhea occurs, which suggests that the food item is allergenic. After the ingredient has been identified, the cat’s diet must contain no more of it (further testing may be required to confirm the allergy). Please note that there may be more than one allergen causing the symptoms.
Another reader wrote, “For my Maxi, it was ear infections, chin acne, and more vomiting than usual. ” The vomiting or hairballs is normal but the amount that Maxi was vomiting was not. ” While diarrhea is the most common symptom of a food allergy, it is not the only one.
In some cats, the allergy may present with persistent vomiting. The response to anti-emetic medicine is positive only in the short term. As long as the allergen is present in the cat’s diet, then the vomiting persists. This can be very dangerous for the cat because persistent diarrhea also causes dehydration, weight loss, fatigue. The cat cannot absorb the nutrients in the food it eats and the body is weakened.
The situation can get pretty serious if the cat isn’t given the intravenous nutrition and water it needs. However, with the treatment, the cat can bounce back quickly. In other cats, the food allergy presents with dermatological symptoms. Small areas on its body (its neck, behind its ears, on its head) become red and itchy. The fur comes off entirely and as the cat scratches, the areas get inflamed and bloody.
This symptom is very common in the case of fish allergies. This is what another Floppycats reader wrote on our Facebook page – “We had to go to rabbit. And we realized that fish (including the ever-present fish oil) was also a trigger for him. So his diet got very limited very quickly. ” While chicken is a common allergen, in some cases it is not the only culprit. Cats sometimes develop allergies to more than one type of food. The most important step is identifying these allergens. You can then investigate food options that are available that do not contain any of these ingredients in order to keep your cat safe and healthy.
Treatment of Chicken Allergy in Cats
A chicken allergy cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Cats suffering from chicken allergies must stay on a chicken-free diet their entire lives. One type of protein that should be avoided is chicken because adding it back into their diet will make the symptoms worse. The mainstay of treatment is changing the diet to exclude chicken, and there are plenty of options.