Can Cats Be Allergic to Cat Treats?

Can Cats be Allergic to Cat Treats? Recognizing the effects of a cat treats allergy in your pet may be quite hard to do unless you can pinpoint several of the symptoms that are occurring. Unfortunately, cat treats allergies can mimic a variety of other ailments also, which makes determining this condition harder then diagnosing other problems. Most food allergies in cats can be discovered by eliminating the suspected food item, such as the cats dry or canned food, or even the treats they get periodically.

Symptoms of Cat Treats Allergy:
One of the first symptoms that your cat may be allergic to cat treats is intense itching. Because this can also be a sign of a multitude of other problems, it's always best to get the Vet's opinion before trying to treat the problem yourself. If you are 100% sure that your cat doesn't have fleas, which can also cause extreme scratching, you may be able to get to the problem by eliminating one food product at a time from the cats diet.

Another symptom of a cat treats allergy can be an upset stomach. This includes bouts of diarrhea and possibly vomiting. These symptoms are not as common as the first symptom of scratching or itching, but they can occur in severe allergies. If you notice that your cat seems to be scratching its face, ears or paws, this could be a sign of a cat treats allergy.

At what age is a cat usually diagnosed with a cats treat allergy?
Although cats of any age can be allergic to their food or cat treats, cats that are between the ages of two and five most commonly have this problem. Even if the cat has been eating the same food for years, an allergic reaction can suddenly appear for unknown reasons.

What are the Most Common Ingredients in Cat Treats That Cause Allergic Reactions?
Although most cats love milk, dairy products of all kinds can cause allergic reactions to appear. Corn and wheat products are also on the list of things known to cause allergic symptoms, as are fish and beef products. Oftentimes the dyes that are used in cat treats can cause a bad reaction also. If you find that your cat has an allergy to any of these products, you may need to find cat treats that don't include whatever ingredient is causing the problem.

How Do I Treat a Cat Treats Allergy?
Once the diagnosis has been made the vet will usually recommend changing the cats diet. Although it may take up to three months for any improvement to show, it's the best way to find out which ingredients needs to be eliminated. Most vets recommend a new food and treats that contain duck meat instead of beef. Very few cats are allergic to this type of meat, although rarely a few do have adverse reactions. Changing the diet is usually recommended for up to 90 days. If, after that time, the cat is still showing allergic symptoms to its food or cat treats, a new source will need to be tried out. Several types of cats treats are available as an alternative, but may need to be offered slowly in the beginning to check for allergic reactions. Small bits of meat or chunks of tuna can also be provided as a treat in most cases.
Reference:

Personal and http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/allergies.html