Food allergy is a form of food intolerance in which the immune system does not function normally. It reacts to the triggering protein as if it were a pathogen. Unfortunately, it reacts too violently. In contrast to food allergy, food intolerance is a reaction of the cat to certain substances in the food without the involvement of the immune system.
The most common signs are skin changes, itching, vomiting and diarrhea. The symptoms mentioned can occur suddenly and even with foods that the cat has tolerated for a long time without any problems.
Possible symptoms are
A food allergy can be triggered by any protein of animal or plant origin and can occur from one day to the next. It can also be triggered by food that the cat has been fed all its life and has tolerated well up to now.
A food allergy cannot be detected in the blood or via an allergy test! A reliable diagnosis can only be made through an elimination diet. For this, only one animal protein and possibly one vegetable protein is selected. Meat types that have not yet been offered to the cat are suitable. This elimination diet should be fed consistently for at least 2-3 months until the symptoms have disappeared (see illustration below).
Leftover food, snacks e.g. crunchy pillows, meat sticks, vitamin tablets or meat-flavored medication are absolutely taboo. Medication should always be discontinued after consultation with the vet.
Symptoms disappear after the correct elimination diet has been given: