For 3 years I've been trying to figure out what causes my cat Meggie allergy problems. Fortunately, she responds to cortisone shots but I have to give them to her about every 6 weeks.

I started eliminating certain foods. First I eliminated food with eggs, soy and wheat. No good. Then I eliminated tuna and corn. Now I've eliminated fish, turkey and chicken. The vet recommends 1 protein (preferably one the cat is not familiar with,) and 2 carbs. The unfamiliar protein is usually rabbit, duck or venison.

Currently I'm feeding her Natural Balance's Duck and Green Pea Limited Ingredient Formula canned cat food. It's seems to be helping, she doesn't seem to be viciously attacking herself. I've read it can take up to 3 mos. before the offending ingredient is out of their system.

I found it is very difficult to find cat foods without chicken and thought I would have to get a prescription limited ingredient food or do raw but as long as she's eating this food I don't plan to make changes.

I board my cat when out of town a special diet feeding is not an issue.