Skin Allergic Cat Food - What to do about Skin Allergies in Cats

Marylou’s cat, Stitch, was miserable with inflamed skin and bitten legs bald and raw. Certain that the culprit was a flea, Marylou poured over her cat’s coat, inspecting each hair. What she found was a very slight case of fleas—two to be exact and a minute amount of flea dirt. She used a flea comb and flea powder, but Stitch’s itch seemed to grow even worse. Even after the fleas were eradicated, her skin was still furiously red. Patches of fur were falling out, and she was a miserable kitty. Marylou had no choice but to take Stitch to the veterinarian.

Stitch ate a diet of commercial semimoist cat food. The veterinarian had Marylou change Stitch’s food to one that is premium, with few no chemical additives like preservatives or colors. The ingredients were those she would recognize for people food like chicken, peas, chicken broth, turkey, potatoes, etc. Additionally, he recommended an essential fatty acid supplement.

Allergies are a common problem for cats. Conventional thought is that allergies are a reaction to some foreign substance like fleas (their saliva). Cats can also be allergic to foods or additives in pet foods like dairy, wheat, yeast, artificial colors, preservatives or even meat by-products.

However, the holistic veterinarian, such as Martin Goldstein, DVM, author of “The Nature of Animal Healing,” Knopf, believes that the allergy is the manifestation of a deeper illness, inflaming the body’s immune system to become sensitized to an allergen. Dr. Goldstein says that often there is a buildup of toxins in the animal that contributes to this weakened immune system, and the goal is to refortify the immune system and not just treat the symptoms. Dr. Goldstein notes that when allergies occur, the body’s metabolic balance is out of synch. For cats, he says, the food allergy can also cause diarrhea.

For problems like those experienced by Stitch, Dr. Goldstein would use homeopathic formulas that act as a natural hydrocortisone. He also applies topical calendula (from marigolds) to soothe the skin.

If the cause of the skin inflammation is a food allergy, veterinarians typically suggest an elimination diet. Dr. Goldstein notes that a strict diet of chicken, rice, carrots and distilled water is the start and then add each week one item that may have been the problem. If the skin allergy begins again, you then eliminate that food.

Though some veterinarians espouse the virtues of bee pollen with treating allergies, Dr. Goldstein disagrees. Instead, he has found that bee pollen sometimes causes greater inflammation.

He also uses adrenal supplements to provide adrenal gland support as the gland produces a natural cortisone.

Also, according to Nina Anderson and Howard Peiper, authors of “Are You Poisoning Your Pets?” Avery, pesticides, cleaning products, contaminated water and building and decorating materials can cause skin rashes, allergies and worse in cats. Formaldehyde found in paint and glue can poison pets.

If your cat has an allergic skin condition and you’ve ruled out chemicals and need to do an elimination diet, there are premium cat foods specifically for allergic symptoms. Premium formulas also exist as a base to which you may add meat and other items for an elimination diet challenge.

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