How Can a Raw Diet Relieve Your Cat’s Allergies?
Can a Raw Diet Relieve Your Cat’s Allergies?
by Sue Spencer
Like humans, cats can have allergies due to environmental factors or the food consumed. According to Cornell University, food allergies are the third most common type of allergy in felines.
Allergic reactions in cats can manifest in various ways, including itching, sneezing, and vomiting. The causes of allergic reactions can vary from cat to cat, and you cannot control environmental factors, but you can switch over your cat’s food to reduce or eliminate allergic reactions.
If your cat suffers from allergies, one possible solution is to avoid commercial kibble and switch to a raw diet. A raw diet typically contains meats and fresh vegetables, and it mimics the natural prey diet that cats would have eaten in the wild. Learn more about how a raw diet can relieve your cat’s allergies below.
Boost the Immune System
Cats need to consume various nutrients to maintain a strong immune system, and a raw diet offers a more natural way to provide these essential nutrients. Some key ingredients in raw cat food, such as raw meat, bones, and organs, contain minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that help boost the immune system.
Consuming raw food that boosts the immune system may fight off allergies and prevent allergic reactions. A strong immune system will also give your cat a healthy gut, preventing harmful bacteria from entering their body.
Eliminate Allergens
Your cat may be dealing with allergy symptoms due to the ingredients in their food, as traditional kibbles and canned wet cat food can have up to 30 ingredients in a single item. This makes it challenging to narrow down the food triggers. Many commercial cat foods contain grains, fillers, and additives that can trigger allergic reactions in some cats.
One of the primary benefits of a raw diet for cats with allergies is that it eliminates potential allergens from their diet. When you feed your cat raw food from a reputable brand, you can eliminate these potential allergens and provide your cat with a diet that best suits their needs. Choose a recipe consisting of only meat, bone, and organs. This will ensure your cat eats a simple diet without a long list of ingredients that could bother them.
Reduce Inflammation
Many allergic reactions in cats are caused by inflammation, which can occur due to consumption of highly processed food. Some cats may even develop Feline Inflammatory Bowel Disease due to hypersensitivity to bacteria, food allergies, and genetic factors. Symptoms of IBD in cats usually are chronic, and the frequency of the symptoms can increase over time.
After the vet has tested your cat and confirmed that they have IBD, they will provide a guideline to treat your cat, which typically involves food trials, antibiotics, and supplements. A raw food diet may be one of the best options in this case, as it contains fewer ingredients, allowing you to determine what may be triggering inflammation in your cat.
A raw diet may be a good solution if your cat is suffering from allergies, as it can improve their health and tastebuds. However, it’s important to determine if a raw diet is appropriate for your cat and learn how to safely transition to a new diet.
