The 7 Best Hypoallergenic Cat Foods of 2023

What to Look for in Hypoallergenic Cat Food

Ingredients

Hypoallergenic cat foods are also referred to as novel protein or hydrolyzed diets, and may contain a hydrolyzed protein and a single carbohydrate source. Many people think that grain allergies are common in pets but they are actually very uncommon. Animal proteins are what cats are more often allergic to, so by hydrolyzing them, the body is tricked into thinking they aren’t allergens.

Hydrolyzation involves breaking a protein down into smaller pieces and typically prevents the immune system from reacting to it. This means that some hypoallergenic foods may still contain beef, fish, chicken, or other proteins, but they will be hydrolyzed and therefore unlikely to cause a problem.

Other hypoallergenic foods contain different types of animal proteins aside from beef, fish, or chicken. These less common proteins are often called novel proteins. Grains or carbohydrates are less likely to be a problem, but a hypoallergenic diet may also have only one of these options to further decrease the variables.

To further complicate things, some pet foods have also been found to contain ingredients that aren’t on the label. This makes it even more difficult to avoid ingredients that your cat is allergic to or to figure out what your cat is allergic to in the first place. Finding a high quality, trusted hypoallergenic cat food is of utmost importance if you and your veterinarian suspect your cat has food allergies.

Age of Cat

The Association of Animal Food Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends feeding different diets to kittens and adult cats. The nutritional requirements of these two age groups should therefore be taken into consideration when looking for a hypoallergenic cat food. Most hypoallergenic foods are designed to meet the needs of an adult cat, but kitten formulas are possible to find.

Senior or geriatric cats should eat adult hypoallergenic cat food options, but some products may be labeled for seniors. These foods may have added ingredients to help support an aging cat but the nutritional requirements will still follow the AAFCO recommendations for an adult.

Weight of Cat

Obesity is a common problem among housecats. If you have an overweight cat that also needs to be on hypoallergenic food, decreasing the total amount you feed is your best option for your cat to lose weight. Increasing the amount of exercise that your cat gets will also help to get the weight off your cat but cutting calories, regardless of what type of food you are feeding, is what will really help your feline friend lose those unwanted pounds. This way they’ll feel better not only because they have less weight putting stress on their joints, but because their skin and coat are more comfortable from the hypoallergenic food.

Veterinary Authorization

Some hypoallergenic cat foods will require a veterinary authorization before you can purchase them. This is because these foods are not designed for cats that don’t have diagnosed allergy concerns. Many “prescription” diets are intended to be fed under veterinary guidance because they will not work as intended if you feed your cat other things or don’t manage your cat’s symptoms with other therapies.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Adrienne Kruzer is a Registered and Licensed Veterinary Technician in three states and has been writing about pet and vet information for over a decade. She also regularly lectures on pet nutrition to fellow veterinary professionals and works for a major veterinary supplement manufacturer.

She has both a personal and professional interest in pet nutrition and enjoys helping owners solve problems with their pets. Her years of working in various animal hospitals alongside her formal college education and elective continuing education classes have provided her with a wealth of experience and knowledge.