How can I determine allergy to food?

I started giving my cat Nutro Complete Care cat food, about a month ago. She has a little sore right below her mouth now, just noticed it yesterday. She seems to have really itchy ears because she has scratched a little sore in her ear, as well. I checked, there is no obvious cause (like mites). Could this be evidence of food allergy and how could I better find out?

If I can figure it out without a vet, I can't really afford that right now, and he would probably just administer prednisone which I don't care to give her again unless it was absolutely necessary...thank you for any tips...

The easiest way would be to transition her to another food, particularly one with one protein and one carbohydrate. Most of them are sold at the vet's office, but Natural Balance makes one that contains Venison and Green Pea. (There is a store locator on their website: www.naturalbalanceinc.com) Because it contains an uncommon protein and an uncommon carb, most cats won't be allerigic to it. If her symptoms disappear, then I think it's very possible she has an allergy. Otherwise, you will need to get her to a vet for evaluation. If you don't agree with your vet, or you feel that he/she isn't listening to your preferences, look for another vet. Just like the doctors we have for ourselves, not every vet is right for our cats. Good luck!

Thanks so much, Cloud_Shade! I had found my pet store sells Nutro as well as Natural Balance, and just chose the first one. I will try your suggestion. I want what's best for my pets, as we all do, and truly appreciate help from others who have done research and really care. As far as choosing a vet, you're right. With our family cat we met a vet that I really liked, works at the same office, just on different days. I will make a point to visit her next time.

I was doing a kind of dumb thing in that I had leftover Science Diet dried food, so I was mixing it with the Nutro Complete Care, which I quit doing as soon as I could buy replacement...(she likes both dry and canned mixed). She used to itch around her neck, that has stopped with the new food. However, now she has a little thing that seems to feel like a pimple right under her mouth, very small, but there...and itchy ears... her change in diet has only been about a month ago, but her symptoms seem to have either worsened, or at least, changed!! Strange. I sure wish there were easy answers...I will just keep trying. Thanks so much!

Originally Posted by hannahgirl

As far as choosing a vet, you're right. With our family cat we met a vet that I really liked, works at the same office, just on different days. I will make a point to visit her next time.

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I have a favorite vet too. I almost always call to find out which days she will be working. I've done that so often, that half the staff recognizes my voice, especially once I ask for that vet.