Feed allergy in cats leads to inflammation and diarrhea

Itching and hair loss in cats due to food allergy
If cats suddenly can not tolerate their food, food intolerance or allergy may be behind it. Typical signs of this are especially constant diarrhea and vomiting, the animal is allergic, can also skin problems such as inflammation or pustules occur. Cat owners should definitely go to the doctor with their pet in this case. In an interview with the news agency "dpa", experts are giving further valuable tips on how to help your cat.

For years there were no problems with the usual food, but from day to tomorrow it seems the cat no longer tolerate. The animal suddenly reacts with gastrointestinal complaints such as diarrhea and vomiting, if there is an allergy, the skin can also be affected. Typical examples here are e.g. Itching, inflammation and pustules, in addition, bald spots in the coat can occur in places or even anywhere on the body, explains Regina Fengler from the veterinary practice at the water tower in Berlin. In order to find out exactly what the animal reacts to so strongly, the expert would have to be excluded after all other possible causes. Often cats are infected by fleas, mites or parasites.

If cats show symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting after feeding, this may be due to a food allergy. (Image: alho007 / fotolia.com)

Only one percent of all cats have a "real" food allergy
A "real" food allergy, however, according to Julia Fritz by the veterinary nutritionist napfcheck.de rarely occur. Only about one percent of all cats are affected in this country, so the estimate of the Munich specialist for animal nutrition and dietetics. The allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a normally harmless substance in the food (allergen). When the animal comes into contact with it, the body develops defense reactions such as intense itching or inflammation. The triggers are usually animal or vegetable proteins of, for example, beef and chicken, dairy products, wheat and fish, but in general any food ingredient can cause an allergy.
The predisposition for a food allergy is hereditary, but the animal is not born with an allergy. Instead, every allergic reaction must be preceded by a so-called "sensitization" in which the organism builds up a specific immune response to the supposed "enemy" after first contact with the allergen. This also explains why a cat reacts allergic all of a sudden, even though it had previously eaten the same food for a long time. "For years nothing has been, suddenly the body reacts," said Stefanie Handl, specialist veterinarian for nutrition and dietetics from Vienna.

No treats during the diet
To find out what the cat is allergic to, the holder could only perform an exclusion diet, because there are no special blood tests as in humans. "You feed the cat something that you have never had before," explains Julia Fritz. For this purpose, allergy-reducing or "hypoallergenic" special food would be considered as well as feed, that e.g. homemade with horse, kangaroo or ostrich meat. This one ingredient should then be fed to the cat for ten to twelve weeks, advises the expert. "It is important to feed nothing else, including treats, during this time", emphasizes Fritz, therefore all persons who have contact with the animal should be informed about the diet.

It would take at least a month for the skin to heal completely, but diarrhea and vomiting would subside much faster. Once the cat is symptom-free, according to Julia Fritz, the various protein sources could be tested individually - but only under veterinary supervision. If the animal then responds to a substance again, the allergen is identified and can be deliberately avoided during feeding in the future.

Many keepers cancel cause research early
Between 75 and 150 euros cost a first appointment with a professional animal nutrition consultant, which initially takes the cat closely under the microscope. "Then you clarify in conversation what you can try, and the amounts of food are calculated," explains Fritz. Frequently, one or two further appointments would be necessary afterwards, but these would be more favorable as follow-up advice, according to the expert. However, many owners would stop the search for the cause of the discomfort at an early stage and continue to feed the hypoallergenic or self-prepared food without further testing. As a result, however, no conclusive diagnosis is possible. "Most are happy when their animals are well again, so they do without a complete diet," says Handl. (No)