Realizing that your kitty has developed an allergy or intolerance to an ingredient in his or her cat food can be devastating. Fortunately, hypoallergenic cat foods are now a lot more common than they once were. Due to this, you will have some variety to choose from.
That being said, not all hypoallergenic foods are created equal. Some really do live up to their claims while others aren’t all that great for your feline friend.
If you want to be able to separate the good from the bad, check out this guide below:
What is Hypoallergenic Cat Food?
Now, the term “hypoallergenic food” tends to be a bit of an umbrella label. This is because technically, no cat food can be truly hypoallergenic. After all, each kitty has very distinct allergies – what may upset one may not have the same effect on another. That being said, there are some common food allergies among cats.
More often than not, owners will find that their cats are allergic to a type of protein or carbohydrate.
So, what brands catering to these felines will do is eliminate these specific ingredients and supplement them with something else. This is what makes the food hypoallergenic.
How to Find Suitable Hypoallergenic Food for Your Kitty
The next obstacle, of course, is to determine what the most suitable hypoallergenic food for your cat is. In order to do this, you will need to understand how to differentiate between each type. To make this easier to manage, here are some tips that you can follow:
Read the Labels
This fact has already been mentioned but it does bear repeating: each cat will have a unique allergy. This is why simply reaching for cat food that is labelled hypoallergenic will not suffice. You need to know exactly what has been put in that particular brand.
Of course, the only way to find this out is to go through all the names on the labels. Now, once you have made certain that the allergy trigger for your kitty isn’t included, it is time to do another check.
Understand, most cat food brands will supplement the removed ingredient with something else. Therefore, you will need to make certain that this ingredient is both good for your cat and suitable for their digestive system.
Opt for Natural Ingredients
Cats’ digestive systems aren’t made to handle preservatives, additives, colorings, and a myriad of other unnatural ingredients. As such, it isn’t uncommon for them to develop allergies to these foods or find them difficult to digest. Despite this, you will find that many such components are included in most readily available foods.
To ensure that your kitty is as healthy as possible, consider a cat food brand that eliminates or minimizes the use of these ingredients. Not only will your cat feel and look better, but there will also be less chance of them developing future allergies as well.
Check for Lower Number of Ingredients
On a similar note, cat foods that have a lower number of ingredients are often best for cats with food allergies or intolerances. Less ingredients mean there are fewer risks of future allergies for your kitties. At the same time, if they do develop an intolerance, you will find it easier to pinpoint what the trigger is.
Hydrolyzed Protein or Not?
Another term you will come across when shopping around for hypoallergenic cat foods is “hydrolyzed protein”. Although this may sound rather scientific, it is actually a rather simple concept. Hydrolyzed protein is a protein that has been broken down into basic amino acids. As a result, your cat can absorb these proteins more quickly.
In most instances, cat food that contains hydrolyzed protein tends to be more expensive. Therefore, you may wonder if it is worth this added cost. Well, for the most part, it depends on your kitty’s digestive system. If they tend to have a hard time digesting most proteins, then yes, hydrolyzed proteins will help them quite a bit. If your cat doesn’t have this problem, though, regular proteins should be fine.
Examine Nutrient Levels
Now, it isn’t enough for cat food to be merely hypoallergenic. It should also provide your cat with the recommended amount of nutrition in each meal. Thus, you should always check the various food contents of the ingredients listed on the label.
When doing so, remember that protein is the most important component of your cat’s diet. Felines are obligate carnivores and get most of their nutrients from meat. While they do tolerate some carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables, the food that you select should have a high protein content.
This means that your kitty should be getting at least 5.2 grams of protein for every kilo of bodyweight. Ideally, you should opt for cat food that provides you with this percentage of protein in their food. In case these aren’t available, check what foods are listed first in the ingredient section. If it isn’t a protein-based ingredient, you should probably skip that brand.
Wet vs. Dry
A question that many cat parents ask themselves is whether they should give their cat wet or dry food. This is an issue that will present itself once more when you decide to change their food. Most vets would agree that wet food has a slight advantage over dry food as it has a higher protein and lower carbohydrate content. On the other hand, wet food does tend to be more expensive.
If possible, try to give your cat a mix of both of these foods for the best of both worlds. Of course, in the end, it will be about what your cat prefers. So, you should feed them whatever they are most likely to eat.
Best Hypoallergenic Cat Food Reviews
Now let’s take a look at some of the best hypoallergenic cat food brands on the market:
Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Fish & Potato
- REAL MEAT FIRST: This Blue Buffalo dry...
- SKIN & STOMACH CARE: BLUE Basics dry cat...
- IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPORT: This grain-free...
- HEALTHY, WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: This...
- Contains: One (1) 11-lb. bag of BLUE...
There is quite a lot to like about this cat food brand. For one thing, as the name implies, this is a limited ingredient line. This means that the cat food contains just one type of protein – whitefish. Since few cats are allergic to this type of fish, it does work out in your favor. Another benefit is that the kibble has a minimum of 30 percent protein, ensuring that your kitty gets its proper nutrition. The formula is grain-free, doesn’t contain corn, and has no soy in it at all.
This is also an incredibly nutritious cat food. The LifeSource bits included in each package is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. So, what does this signify for your kitty? Well, it results in well-balanced nutrition for your cat. They will enjoy easier digestion, shinier coat, and an improved immune system to boot. At the same time, you will find it easier to keep your kitty’s weight at a healthy level. The only real downside to this food is that it has a rather strong odor. So, you can expect your cat’s breath to have a similarly potent smell.
Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Duck & Potato
- REAL MEAT FIRST: This Blue Buffalo wet...
- SKIN & STOMACH CARE: BLUE Basics wet cat...
- IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPORT: This grain-free...
- HEALTHY, WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: This...
- Contains: Twenty-four (24) 3-oz. cans of...
If your kitty prefers wet food or you are just looking to switch things up, the Blue Buffalo brand also offers Limited Ingredient versions for wet food as well. One of the more standout features of this food is that it relies on duck meat to provide protein. Since this type of meat is rarely used in other cat foods, there is a lower chance of your cat having an allergic reaction to it. The formula is also grain and wheat free, making it optimal for cats that have these sensitivities.
This doesn’t mean that the food doesn’t have any carbs or fiber at all, though. Rather, the cat food contains potatoes and peas to guarantee that your kitty is getting a wholesome, well-balanced diet. Owners will also be pleased to know that this is an all-natural formula. As such, there are no artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors. Since the food has been ground into a smooth, pâté-like texture, cats of all ages will find it easy to eat this food. The main issue that could arise with this wet food is regarding the taste. In case you have rather finicky kitties, it may take them a while to get used to the flavor.
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Green Pea & Salmon
- Contains (1) 2 pound bag of dry cat food
- Grain-free, limited ingredient diet with...
- Helps minimize the number of ingredients...
- Real chicken is a high-quality protein...
- Supports healthy skin and a shiny coat
The main source of protein used in this cat food is salmon, which means that there is at least 30 percent of protein for your kitty at any time. The fiber and carbohydrates are made up of complex carbs like peas. This makes it a lot easier for your cat to digest and also contains proper nutrition. The formula doesn’t contain any grains or wheat either. There are also no additives or preservatives that can harm your cat. So, whether your kitty has minor or major intolerances, this food should work well to keep them at bay.
To add to this, all the food from this brand have been tested thoroughly. So, this should give owners some peace of mind about what they are buying. It should be noted that adequate amounts of minerals, vitamins, and other healthful ingredients have been included in the formula. So, every time your cat dips into this kibble, you can be certain that they are getting a well-rounded meal. While this food is certainly good for your kitty, there is no telling whether they will like the taste or not. Some pickier cats may not find this flavor very appealing.
Halo Holistic Grain-Free Wild Salmon & Whitefish
- COMPARE: WHOLE wild salmon and...
- Super digestibility, providing more...
- Grain free indoor cat food made with...
- Healthy weight recipe has reduced...
- Halo supports ranchers and farmers who...
It isn’t just the wholesome and nutritious ingredients that makes this cat formula stand out. It is also the fact that the brand is incredibly careful about how all the ingredients are sourced as well. Due to this, ingredients obtained from factory farming are not used. So, there are absolutely no antibiotics, growth hormones, artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors used in this cat food. And what about the ingredients? Well, this particular product contains wild-caught salmon and whitefish.
The food only consists of “whole” protein which means that there are no animal by-products used in it. Another benefit is that the food has been tested and has scored top marks for digestibility. So, even if your kitty has a sensitive stomach, you will find that this food goes down a lot easier. Once again, this formula is grain-free. The cat food utilizes peas, chickpeas, and other complex vegetables to provide the necessary carbs for your cats. If you were to find fault with this cat food, it would have to be the size of the kibble. It is a bit smaller than other brands and some cats may find it rather tricky to eat, particularly if they like a little crunch with their food.
'I and love and you' Grain Free Can Food Cod
- ALWAYS GRAIN FREE: No, no, no grains,...
- NO FILLERS, ALL LOVE: No by-product...
- NO CARRAGEENAN: Our tasty stews and...
- REAL MEAT IS THE FIRST INGREDIENT: This...
- OMEGAS: Flaxseeds and salmon oil help...
This is yet another cat food that puts heavy emphasis on natural ingredients and great nutrition. This is why you will find that this food formula has a high protein content and that the first ingredient is always natural meat. Now, the only real problem here is that despite being a cod can, the food also contains chicken meat. So, if you are trying to limit the amount of protein you are feeding your kitty, you may find this a little difficult with this wet food. As long as this is not a problem, the formula has plenty of other nutrition for your cat.
For one thing, the food is completely grain-free. Instead, your kitty will be getting their necessary carb and fiber intake from spinach, sweet potatoes, apples, and more. The brand makes it a point to also avoid including soy, preservatives, and artificial flavorings and colorings too. As a result, the food is great for cats who have a hard time digesting foods. Since the food is soft without being mushy, the texture will appeal to a greater number of cats as well.
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Some of the more common allergies among cats are chicken, beef, and certain kinds of fish. This is why this formula doesn’t even contain trace amounts of these ingredients. Instead, the company uses sources like turkey to provide your kitty with the necessary amount of protein. The formula does take it a step further by avoiding egg and potato as well. Rather, your cat gets their fiber from tapioca instead. Also, as far as claims of limited ingredients go, Instinct really does stay true to its word. It uses just one protein and one vegetable. However, it ensures that your kitty has a balanced diet by including other minerals and vitamins.
Another important benefit is that all the ingredients are minimally processed. In fact, the kibble contains crushed and freeze-dried turkey as is. Therefore, your cats get all the required nutrition without any side-effects. This is further aided by the fact that there are no artificial colors or preservatives used in this formula. The only drawback of this food is the fact that it can make your cat’s litter box smell rather bad. So, if you have an indoor cat or have to keep the litter box in an enclosed space, this may not be for you.
What Is Our Best Hypoallergenic Cat Food?
The final question, of course, is which food should be crowned the winner if you were to pick one. Well, here, it would have to be the Natural Balance Limited Ingredient brand.
- Contains (1) 2 pound bag of dry cat food
- Grain-free, limited ingredient diet with...
- Helps minimize the number of ingredients...
- Real chicken is a high-quality protein...
- Supports healthy skin and a shiny coat
What’s great about this food is that it has just one main protein and carbohydrate source. This works well for any owner that is really trying to limit the number of foods that your kitty consumes. To top this off, the formula only contains wholesome natural ingredients. This greatly reduces the chance of any digestive issues cropping up.
These are the top picks for the best hypoallergenic cat food. So, if you are looking for something to feed your sensitive kitty, you now know what will work best for him or her.
At the very least, you can use the guidelines mentioned here to find a brand of cat food you prefer.
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
