Food allergies/intolerances in cats

[Becky]

Tell me about them... I think that our female cat may be dealing with one.

To make a long story short, she's our little anti-social darling. Easily stressed out, likes human contact only on her terms, and often tortured by her brother. When she started overgrooming, we (and our vet) drew the conclusion that it was psychogenic alopecia. But nothing we have done has helped to relieve her anxiety or the alopecia.

A few weeks ago, a thread here on TE got me thinking about a grain-free diet for her. I recently bought a few cans each of some different foods (not all grain-free). We're 2 days into one of the new diets, and I haven't seen her obsessively groom.

Am I onto something here? What are common food allergens in cats? The new diet, although not grain-free, does not contain wheat or corn. I'm wondering if she's allergic to wheat...

Thanks in advance for your experiences and ideas.

[Biciclista]

if you could switch her to raw meat i am sure her coat would turn nicer... if it isn't psychogenic. wheat is a very common food allergy in cats

[indysteel]

Out of curiosity, what food are you now using?

I'll be honest that up until a couple of months ago, I knew little about the ideal cat diet. I still know less than I arguably need to know. Out of some degree of selfishness and ignorance, I fed my cats premium dry food. Even when Sophie started to go downhill (and she also had her own over grooming issues for years), I didn't understand the role her dry diet may have played in her undoing. When Henry started to have some chronic dehydration issues, I decided to switch him to canned food. That's when I realized that my cats had long eaten a bad diet. I've been trying to choose canned food for him that has a more ideal mix of protein, fat and carbs. Unfortunately, he cares for some more than others, and doesn't like some of the brands/flavors that are grain free. I have yet to try a raw diet, although I haven't rule it out. He's such a frustrating eater anyway. He eats, if I'm lucky, a teaspoon of food at a time. Getting enough canned food into him has turned into a full-time job.

[Becky]

Indy: You and I are in the same boat. It wasn't until I started thinking more about where my own food comes from that I realized the need to give their diets the same consideration. My foray into pet diets actually started with our dog's food. Since switching him to an "ultra-premium" dry food (Blue Buffalo Fish and Sweet Potato), we've seen a marked improvement in his coat, weight, and mobility.

Flaser (the girl cat) is currently eating Innova canned food. I'm shocked by the difference that 2 days' worth have appeared to make. It's still anecdotal at this point, but I'm convinced enough to keep going. I also bought some Wellness grain-free to try.

Right now, Auric (the bratty little brother) is eating Hills Prescription Diet C/D for chronic UT issues. It's not ideal IMO by any stretch, but it keeps the incidents to a minimum. Once I finish experimenting with cat #1's diet, I'll move on to his.

Raw or homemade food for the cats is not out of the question, but I feel like I need to test this out in increments. Fortunately, neither cat has been a picky eater and switching diet isn't generally an issue. I'm sorry that I can't offer any suggestions there...

[Biciclista]

with raw diet, it's easier with younger cats. Older cats are a l ot like people, they get set in their ways. All of my cats think dry cat food is the best thing since sliced bread. they get a tiny bit of it every day. like 10 kibbles each. the raw chicken that i painstakingly grind and mix; they let it sit in their dishes..but in the morning it is always gone.
none of them have weight problems now, and their fur is all glossy really beautiful. it's a pain in the butt but as long as i can feed them this way, i will continue.

[Becky]

Mimi: What "recipe" do you use?