Feline Food Allergies - the most common?

Does anybody have any information as to what are the most common food allergies?

It seems that Sammy's over-grooming issue from 2 weeks ago may be related to food allergies and how they affect him. All his tests were normal except a very low, not high, thyroid. I gave him fresh tuna a couple of days ago - and shazam! major biting and tugging at his fur causing scabbing. So no more tuna. Does anybody know what kinds of dry foods/brands are tasty but good for allergies? He will be seeing the vet again for this but not for another week (she had back surgery). Sammy is 8 and has been with us exactly a month from the shelter where he had no scabs and no diseases. He is great in every other way - a dream kitty!

Unfortunately there are many things a cat can be allergic or sensitive to. Many cats have problems with fish. Allergy tests can be done or you can use trial and error. You can get single protein foods many of them are unusual protein sources such as rabbit and venison. Some cats have a problem with common grains in foods such as corn, wheat, or rice. You can get foods that use things such as peas or potatoes instead of grains. Smaller chains and mom and pop pet stores tend to carry a larger variety of the more unusual yet still good quality foods than the large chains. Trial and error can be frustrating. I have a sensitive cat and the only thing that I have found for sure he has a problem with is beef and I currently have him on a food that is completely grain free.

Originally Posted by Denice

Unfortunately there are many things a cat can be allergic or sensitive to. Many cats have problems with fish. Allergy tests can be done or you can use trial and error. You can get single protein foods many of them are unusual protein sources such as rabbit and venison. Some cats have a problem with common grains in foods such as corn, wheat, or rice. You can get foods that use things such as peas or potatoes instead of grains. Smaller chains and mom and pop pet stores tend to carry a larger variety of the more unusual yet still good quality foods than the large chains. Trial and error can be frustrating. I have a sensitive cat and the only thing that I have found for sure he has a problem with is beef and I currently have him on a food that is completely grain free.

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Natural Balence make s a vensison and pea... for allergies

What are you feeding as that may give a clue...???

Wheat soy fish are tops for kitty allergies

Food allergies are hard-most kitties are allergic to the more common meat basis-ie: chicken and beef. Try something with a different meat base to it such as a fish (although not a good idea in your case) or a duck base. Some even have Kangaroo and veal, lamb I think is available too. Although the last 3 I am sort of opposed to-because of what they are, if it keeps your cat from not starving then I am not sure what you do. Science Diet as well as some other high quality names, Nutro, Iams and Innova all carry hypo-allergenic diets. Good luck, Uno too has food allergies ans asthma-I found that once I switched diets from chicken to fish he is much better and less asthma attacks! Here is hoping you find the right food soon and a speedy hair growth to your kitty!

As "allergies" are just an immune system in overdrive it's important that you try and "see the forest through the trees".
In addition to finding and avoiding the specific triggers, a general increase in whole body health is indicated anytime allergies present IMO. So finding a fatty acid supplement the animal tolerates would be of some importance to me.
If fish is a trigger of course you wouldn't use fish oil supplements- you'd look instead to flax, hemp, or other non triggering fat. But some sort of essential fatty acid supplement would be my first recommendation.

Fish is the most common food allergy in cats and a common cat food ingredient. Corn seems to be the another big allergy in cats. I have heard of cats allergic to chicken, beef, and some grains. If chicken or rice is not going to be a problem then both California Natural and Felidae make awesome single protein foods. You have to be careful to read labels and realize what they are really saying. I accidently feed my very allergic to fish cat, Liberty, something with cod liver oil in it. It was listed as a "natural flavor" in something that was liver. (She felt really bad for one long weekend.) If you are looking for soft food I highly recommend Merrick. This is the only soft food Liberty will touch. Merrick's is working on coming up with some dry cat foods. If any of these are fish free then Liberty wil be switched to it. Until then Liberty hates chicken so she is eating Science Diet Lamb and Rice. -kd

Sorry I missed seeing this. Here is a decent article on the topic - though it mentions dogs mainly it also mentions what applies for cats http://www.crvetcenter.com/foodallergy.htm and I second considering trying the natural balance venison and green pea.

If you need to go to testing single protein's, you can try using evangers wild game (says for dogs, but in fact, it is simply plain pheasant or whatever is on the label, nothing added...so not a complete cat food, you'd have to supplement), or wysong's "just meat" (there are six in this line of different proteins)

It helps that I know you use single protein source treats, so those can be ruled out or in fairly easily.