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Best Hypoallergenic Cat Food (2024): 8 Foods For Allergies And Sensitive Skin
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Cats can be allergic to different foods, just like humans, and this can show in an allergic reaction through their skin, their stomach or other symptoms.
If your cat is suffering from a food allergy, then you should consider switching their food to one of the best hypoallergenic cat foods, because these contain a minimal and greatly reduced proportion of common allergens.
In this guide to the best hypoallergenic cat food, you'll get the answers to all your questions about cat food allergies. We also give our opinion on the best cat food for allergies based on our research, testing and feedback from our community.
We've whittled that down to a list that will help you choose the right cat food for your particular cat's needs.
Best Hypoallergenic Cat Food
Best Overall
Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin Dry Cat Food
Best Hypoallergenic Cat Food
Best Overall Choice
Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin Dry Cat Food
Hill's Science Diet For Sensitive Stomach and Skin is our top choice for cats with food allergies due to its high-quality ingredients, strict production standards and strong support from our readers who've tried it.
This dry food contains a much more refined and limited number of ingredients, including only a single source of animal protein. It also includes easily digestible carbohydrates, and is free from allergens like corn, wheat, and soy. Additionally, the brand doesn't use artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.
3 Top Hypoallergenic Cat Food Picks – Best, Value & Premium
So, that's our number one choice, but if your cat seems to have a cat food allergy, fear not because there are plenty of fantastic hypoallergenic cat food options out there.
We would firstly advise that you seek advice from your veterinarian as they will guide you on your cat's dietary needs. But, then, our guide covers what we've found to be the most effective foods for cats with allergies.
Here are our top three selections for customers in search of the best cat food for allergies:
Our Top 3 Choices
Best Overall
Hill's Science Diet Dry Cat Food
Best Value
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Cat Food
Premium Choice
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Adult Dry Cat Food
The Best Hypoallergenic Cat Food Brands
We've researched and tested cat food for allergies with our cats and have surveyed our 1 million strong community for their feedback. We were looking for the foods that cats with allergic reactions showed the greatest improvement in their reactions.
We look at the hypoallergenic foods we tested in detail next, and then lower down this article, you'll find our buyers guide for this type of specialist cat food.
These are the brands and recipes that we rated the best.
1. Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin Dry Cat Food - Best Overall
Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin dry cat food is an outstanding choice for cats that suffer from food allergies, as it features a unique chicken and rice blend that makes it the top pick for your furry friend.
This best overall hypoallergenic cat food is formulated with premium, easily digestible ingredients and a highly tested list of components, which minimizes the likelihood of causing a food allergy in susceptible cats.
The inclusion of critical factors, such as probiotics, fiber, and balanced nutrients, in this cat food boosts a healthy digestive system, bolsters the immune system, and ensures overall well-being.
The all-important omega-6 fatty acids and other vital nutrients in the recipe also help maintain healthy skin and a glossy coat, which can be particularly advantageous for adult cats with food allergies that may experience skin-related problems. In essence, it protects against skin allergies.
A large cohort of our community cat owners have achieved positive results with Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin dry cat food, as it effectively tackles common allergy symptoms, such as gastrointestinal issues. By aiding cats in digesting their food more comfortably, this cat food can alleviate some of the discomfort linked to food allergies.
Pleased cat owners have observed that their cat's skin and fur became more vibrant after transitioning to this diet.
Additionally, the hypoallergenic nature of this cat food has made it a favorite among cats, with many owners noticing increased happiness in their pets after introducing them to this product.
Pros
Cons
2. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Cat Food - Best Value
If you have a smaller budget and are searching for the ideal grain-free, hypoallergenic cat food, we highly recommend Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Cat Food.
We get it, hypoallergenic cat food is not cheap (but do take a look at our guide to cheap cat food) so finding a top-class value pick is probably one of the most important factors in this article.
This will fit the bill. It's a product that features a restricted ingredient formula, making it more straightforward for you to discover what your cat enjoys while minimizing the chances of triggering food allergies in susceptible cats.
By utilizing top-quality protein sources as the main ingredient, this cat food not only fosters strong muscles but also supplies easily digestible proteins that are less likely to provoke allergic reactions in cats.
This recipe of Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Cat Food combines green peas and chicken, which encourage good digestion and robust muscles. A limited-ingredient food essentially means that this product is devoid of potatoes, corn, wheat, and soy, ensuring your cat obtains all the necessary nutrients without potential allergens.
Natural Balance also has some other recipes in this range that you could choose if the main protein is one that you've found causes a reaction in your cat. For example, if your cat is allergic to chicken recipes, then opt for the Natural Balance duck recipe to get the same benefits.
This cat food delivers a well-rounded and balanced diet, complete with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that bolster a healthy immune system and decrease the risk of allergies.
Again, as in our overall best choice above, this best cat food for a cat's allergies is full of omega-rich oils. The omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the formula contribute to healthy skin and a glossy coat.
Pros
Cons
3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Adult Dry Cat Food - Premium Choice
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Adult Dry Cat Food stands out as an exceptional hypoallergenic choice for cats prone to food allergies or sensitivities, and we make it our premium pick. Its grain-free composition reduces allergy risks, and the inclusion of high-quality protein from real meat promotes muscular strength and overall well-being.
The product's unique LifeSource Bits, a blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants chosen by veterinarians and animal nutritionists, support the immune system and general health.
As a dry cat food, Blue Buffalo Wilderness offers a more affordable alternative to wet cat food. A friend of mine feeds this to his cat, which I've noticed has developed lean muscles and displays a lively personality. As well as getting rid of all tendency to an allergic vomiting on his previous cat food.
The high chicken content in this cat food makes it especially appealing to feline chicken lovers. Formulated with natural ingredients and devoid of preservatives, this easily digestible cat food is rich in protein, essential for your cat's health.
There are also duck or salmon alternatives in the same recipe range with the same benefits that you can choose if your cat needs to avoid chicken.
The presence of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the formula helps maintain healthy skin and a glossy coat, which is particularly beneficial for cats with allergies that may manifest as skin problems.
Pros
Cons
Best Foods for Hypoallergenic Cats: Alternative Options
We chose the three options above from all our testing to appeal to the widest range of pet parents. Any of them is an excellent choice that should reduce your cat's allergic reaction to food. Choose the one that fits your budget and other needs the best.
However, if none of those solutions work for your cats, there are still plenty of great alternatives out there.
Here are some other tried and tested picks worth considering for your allergic kitty.
4. Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Adult Instinctive
Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Adult Instinctive is an outstanding hypoallergenic wet cat food choice due to its customized nutritional formulations that address the specific needs of cats.
It contains high-quality protein and is easily digestible, which helps minimize the risk of allergic reactions and sensitivities.
Moreover, this cat food has an ideal balance of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to promote overall health. Again, there is the presence of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that ensure healthy skin and a glossy fur coat.
In my personal experience, my cat enjoyed this wet cat food, and it was well-received even by my little fussy eater. The blend of perfectly balanced vitamins and minerals in Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Adult Instinctive contributes to maintaining your cat's health and well-being, and I clearly saw this when I tried it with my cats.
It's worth noting that wet foods are typically more expensive than dry cat foods, so I haven't stuck with this long term due to budget constraints.
My preference is to have this on hand to mix up my cat's diet with our overall pick - the Hill's Sensitive. That way I feel that my cats are getting the best of both worlds from both that dry food and this occasioanl wet food
On the occasions where I do give my cats this canned hypoallergenic cat food, they relish it and I did actually notice an increase in energy levels after they scoffed it down!
Pros
Cons
5. Rachel Ray Nutrish Premium Natural Dry Cat Food
With our community and our testers this Rachael Ray Nutrish Premium Natural Dry Cat Food very nearly took our premium pick for hypoallergenic cat food. If you're looking for an alternative pick to the Blue Buffalo we did choose, then this really is a great alternative option.
This recipe from the highly-regarded Rachael Ray range is made from 100% natural ingredients including farm-raised chicken, brown rice, essential vitamins, vegetables, and taurine.
This cat food provides vital nutrition and energy for your feline friends. Yes, it is expensive, but it is also very high quality. So if you have deeper pockets. this should be on your list.
Rachael Ray Nutrish is particularly suitable for cats with food allergies, given its high-quality, easily digestible ingredients and absence of artificial additives.
The product offers grain-free options and single protein source formulas, enabling pet owners to identify and avoid specific proteins that may cause allergic reactions. (If this chicken recipe isn't right for your cat's specific allergies, then there's a Salmon alternative).
The balanced diet it provides, complete with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, supports a healthy immune system and minimizes allergy risks.
The wholesome chicken content facilitates healthy muscles, while the fiber in brown rice and vegetables assists in easier digestion.
Pros
Cons
6. Purina ONE Indoor Advantage
Purina ONE Indoor Advantage serves as a superb hypoallergenic cat food choice, especially for cats that predominantly stay indoors.
The primary ingredient in this cat food is real turkey, which offers super high-quality protein crucial for maintaining muscle strength and overall well-being. High-quality proteins are generally less likely to provoke allergies in cats compared to their lower-quality counterparts.
With 42 grams of meat and proteins per cup, Purina ONE Indoor Advantage satisfies your cat's cravings while supporting muscle growth.
Indoor cats often struggle with hair shedding, and the natural fiber and omega fatty acid content in Purina ONE Indoor Advantage helps minimize hair shedding and promotes a healthy weight.
Free from artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, Purina ONE Indoor Advantage reduces the likelihood of causing allergic reactions.
Many of our community also noted that this particular recipe seemed to greatly reduce hairballs. This isn't normally directly related to allergic reactions, but it does suggest that the quality of this food helps in that area as well.
Pros
Cons
7. Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Meat Grain Free
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Meat Grain-Free aims to deliver balanced nutrition to cats while reducing the chances of provoking food allergies or sensitivities.
It does this by using a limited number of ingredients and a single source high-quality protein. They also add probiotics and antioxidants and avoid grains and corn.
These recipes reduce carbohydrate and the natural additives make it easier for cats with any sensitivities or allergies to digest.
Being grain-free, it is suitable for cats with sensitivities to common allergens like wheat, corn, or soy. The cat food's digestibility helps minimize gastrointestinal problems that could be linked to food allergies.
Again, we find that Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These fatty acids will enhance your cat's skin and fur, making them more radiant and soft.
Manufactured in the USA using natural ingredients, Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Meat Grain-Free cat food is an ideal option for those seeking limited-ingredient wet cat food.
There are three other protein sources to choose from if your cat is allergic to the chicken we tested - being turkey, duck and salmon.
We rated this hypoallergenic cat food very highly and the only real objection we have is that it is expensive - although that is clearly down to the quality of the ingredients.
Pros
Cons
8. Purina ONE Sensitive Skin and Stomach, Natural Dry Hypoallergenic Cat Food
I know this is the second recipe from Purina One that we've included in this group test, but there's a good reason.
We found that most of our cats took to the Purina One + Indoor reviewed above and it did a good job of reducing allergic reactions in many of our community's cats.
However, some cats didn't like it and still suffered allergic reactions, but when they then switched to this Sensitive formula, things improved.
We think that all of the Purina One range are of a high quality and formula so that. for most cats. all their recipes are helpful with allergies, but for some cats, this specific recipe will work even better.
That means that, from our feedback, Purina ONE Sensitive Skin and Stomach Natural Dry cat food is a fantastic hypoallergenic choice for kitties that suffer from food-related sensitivities, particularly those affecting digestion and skin health.
Crafted with natural ingredients such as real turkey, essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, this cat food delivers a balanced and nutritious meal for your beloved pet.
This Purina ONE dry hypoallergenic cat food is not only tailored for digestive and stomach health and skin care but also boasts a high protein content, offering 36 grams of protein per cup to help maintain strong muscles and overall well-being.
With an easily digestible recipe, cats with sensitive stomachs can comfortably enjoy their meals without the risk of experiencing gastrointestinal problems often linked to food allergies.
Consequently, this product stands out as a top contender for those seeking to accommodate the distinct dietary needs of cats with sensitive skin and stomachs.
If you've tried the Purina One + Indoor and that hasn't really fixed your cat's food allergy, then it's worth also testing this Purina ONE Sensitive Skin and Stomach formula as we have had great results with this with cats who didn't respond well to other recipes.
Pros
Cons
Hypoallergenic Cat Food Buyer's Guide
The major reason why we suggest hypoallergenic cat food is that your cat might be allergic to specific ingredients used in normal cat food. Keep in mind that your cat might continue eating the food regardless of cat allergies.
He doesn't know!
So, you have to be vigilant and monitor the symptoms to protect your furry little friend from food allergies.
Generally, it's a bit hard to know whether your cat is allergic to a certain ingredient or not. However, there are several symptoms from which you can judge that your cat is allergic to certain foods.
The most common symptoms include scratching around their heads and neck and also gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea. You might also see patchy or dry skin.
It's a fact that the best hypoallergenic cat food products are usually more expensive than the usual cat food available in the market. But, we always suggest you buy specifically hypoallergenic foods to make sure that your cat remains healthy and to lessen their allergic reactions.
Spending a little more on cat food will never hurt as long as your cat is healthy and happy. That's all that counts. After all, it's not their fault they have allergies.
I learned about hypoallergenic cat food when my tabby boy kitty showed symptoms of an allergic reaction for the first time. He started regularly vomiting right after eating food and that's when I knew something was wrong. I took him to the vet who explained, given his symptoms, that this was highly likely to be a food allergy.
After that, I started buying only the best in hypoallergenic cat foods to have peace of mind that I was looking after him as well as possible. And it worked!
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If your cat is allergic to their current regular cat food, then the most important symptom that you'll notice is that he or she might become ill right after eating certain cat food. You should take your cat to the vet if he is feeling ill after consuming food. Vets can, of course, suggest further testing and diagnosis of your cat's health issues.
If your cat is having a reaction to what they usually eat, then your vet is going to suggest that you give him hypoallergenic cat food as these contain lesser amounts of common allergens.
Your vet will also advise that you try to identify any signs of your cat being allergic to a certain food. For example, if you think chicken-based cat food is causing the issue, then clearly you need to stop giving him foods that contain chicken protein or fat.
Read this next: Food Allergies in Cats: What to Look Out For
Features to Consider with Hypoallergenic Cat Foods
There are a number of factors that you should consider when buying the best hypoallergenic food for your cat. These include the following:
Wet Vs. Dry
What you feed your kitty is considered as wet cat food or dry depending on the water content in it. Usually, wet cat foods have more than 60% of water content while dry cat foods have less than 14% of water content.
Wet cat foods are generally more beneficial for your cat’s urinary health, weight management, and constipation.
The more water content in wet foods makes it easier to be sure that your cat is properly hydrated all the time. However, dry cat foods are usually less expensive and are easier to handle and store. We cover the wet vs dry cat food debate in more detail here.
Hydrolyzed
Cat foods with hydrolyzed proteins are best for treating allergies in cats because they are produced in a way that makes them more easy for your cat to digest.
In hydrolyzed cat foods, proteins are broken down so that they don’t harm your cat’s stomach. If your cat has a sensitive stomach, then you should buy cat food that contains hydrolyzed proteins.
Ingredients
You should also consider the ingredients of the food you’re buying for your kitty. As mentioned before, you should be trying to identify and then buy cat food that doesn’t have the specific ingredients that your cat is allergic to.
You can refer to your vet who can help you work out the ingredients to which your cat is allergic, whilst you can also keep checking the pattern of your cat's reactions after consuming certain foods.
Source of Protein
Most cat allergies are related to specifics in the proteins which, in turn, also depends on the source of protein. Therefore, it's important to consider the source of protein so that you can avoid those that might cause an allergic reaction.
FAQs
What is the most common food allergy in cats?
The primary allergen for cats when it comes to food is chicken, but they can also be sensitive to other protein sources like beef, turkey, egg, soy, or milk. In some cases, they may also develop allergies to less common meats like venison or duck.
However, cats are generally not allergic to grains or gluten. In many of our chocies for hypoallergenic cat food in this group test we have found alternative recipes in the same range, so that you can easily find a protein source that your cat is not allergic to in our highest rated recipes.
What is hypoallergenic cat food?
Hypoallergenic cat food is a special type of cat food formulated to cater to cats that suffer from food allergies or sensitivities. It is made with limited ingredients, high-quality protein sources, and free of common allergens such as grains, gluten, and certain protein sources. This type of cat food is designed to minimize the risk of triggering allergic reactions or gastrointestinal issues in cats.
How can I tell if my cat is allergic to their food?
There are a few signs that may indicate that your cat is allergic to their food. Some common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive scratching, hair loss, and skin irritation. If you notice any of these signs in your cat, it is important to take them to a veterinarian to determine if a food allergy is a cause.
Final Thoughts about the Best Hypoallergenic Cat Food
If your cat is suffering from a food allergy, then it's a great idea to start giving them hypoallergenic cat food and one which is most suited to their specific symptoms
The best overall product that we picked in this buying guide is Hill's Science Hypoallergenic Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult, Sensitive Stomach & Skin Recipes.
Overall, we chose this as the best hypoallergenic cat food because it provides your cat with the essential protein and prebiotic fiber needed to cater to allergies while providing the nutrients for better muscles and digestion. It is made with nutritious ingredients and is approved by veterinarians.
It does not contain common allergens. Plus, cats also like its taste.
We suggest you monitor your cat’s health and take your cat to the vet if you find dealing with their allergies is not improved when you chage their diet.
Watch this video to learn more about food allergies in cats:
Read this next: 12 Best Cat Foods for a Sensitive Stomach
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