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Cat Food Allergies: Spot the Signs & Help Your Cat Feel Better

Published on January 24th, 2023

Updated on March 25th, 2026

Written by Petco's Animal Care, Education and Compliance Team

Reviewed by Dr. Whitney Miller, DVM, MBA, DACVPM

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Cat Food Allergies: Spot the Signs & Help Your Cat Feel Better

We consider our cats to be a regular part of our families, and like other members of your family, your cat could potentially suffer from allergies, as well.

It’s important to understand why allergies are happening — things like food or environmental issues are most common — and how to help alleviate the problem.

What are the most common cat food allergies?

Meat and dairy products like the ones below are the most common causes of food allergies in cats—which is unfortunate, since cats are obligate carnivores and get much of their nutrition from meat. Contrary to popular belief, many cats are actually lactose intolerant, and dairy can trigger a food sensitivity that causes upset stomachs.

Fish
Chicken
Beef
Milk
Cheese

Most common skin allergies in cats

Skin allergies in felines most commonly appear as a result of other allergic reactions, as well as flea bites. Airborne and food allergies can trigger your cat’s immune response, causing their skin to swell and dry out. These can include allergies to:

Flea saliva
Chicken
Fish
Pollen
Mold
Fur from other pets
Chemical irritants/fumes

Cat food allergy considerations

When it comes to cat allergies related to food, there are a few things to keep in mind:

How to detect common food allergy symptoms: Cats suffering from food allergies may react by scratching or itching, or through gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting and diarrhea. It’s also important to recognize that food allergies don’t always start at birth — they can show up at any age. To correctly diagnose a food allergy, consult with your veterinarian to run the appropriate tests.
Common culprits: In addition to the proteins listed above, common triggers can include eggs, corn, wheat, soy and milk. Keep an eye out for these products in your cat's diet so you can discuss potential issues with your veterinarian.
How food allergies are diagnosed: Food allergies can be difficult to diagnose because cat foods and treats may contain multiple ingredients. If you believe your cat is suffering from a food allergy, consult with your veterinarian, who may recommend a limited ingredient diet or other special diet and tests to help pinpoint the exact allergen.
What treatment might look like: Determining which food ingredient your cat is allergic to is often the hardest part of diagnosing and treating a food allergy, since it takes some trial and error. Once your cat has recovered completely from the effects of their particular allergy (which can take about a month), a veterinarian will likely guide you through slowly reintroducing foods to determine the exact cause. Once determined, you can avoid providing that food in your cat’s diet to keep them from having an allergic reaction in the future. Keep in mind that if your cat has an allergy to chicken, you should avoid chicken by-products (like stock). A limited ingredient cat food and LID cat treats can help keep them feeling great.

While true food allergies in cats are somewhat uncommon, a food sensitivity may still be the culprit. Determining the specific issue can be tricky, which is why consulting with your veterinarian is important. Limited ingredient diets can also help cats with food sensitivities.

Cat skin allergy considerations

Like food allergies, skin allergies can cause real discomfort for your pet. Typically, what we think of as a skin allergy is actually an environmental allergy that manifests as skin issues. Because these allergies are the result of environmental factors, they are usually more common than food allergies. Determining the underlying cause and finding a proper course of treatment will help your pet live a more comfortable life.

How to detect common skin allergy symptoms: Skin allergies can manifest with similar symptoms to food allergies, such as itching and scratching, excessive licking, or gastrointestinal issues including vomiting or diarrhea. With skin allergies, however, you may be able to detect an issue in a particular area — like an itch specific to the back or base of the tail, which is common in flea allergies — or itchy ears and ear infections.
Common culprits: Environmental allergens can cause skin allergies in cats the same way they do in people, and a lot of the harmful substances are the same. Things to look out for include trees, grasses, mold and mildew, perfumes or cleaning products, fleas or flea-control products, certain fabrics, and even rubber or plastic materials.
How skin allergies are diagnosed: Many factors may go into your veterinarian’s determination of the allergen. The time of year could help determine whether the skin allergy is being caused by a pest — like fleas or ticks — while other criteria, such as new medications or additional play areas or materials, are also considered. In some cases, an intradermal skin test may be performed to help determine which allergens are involved. Since even environmental allergies may manifest as gastrointestinal issues, it is important to get your veterinarian’s help in assessing any discomfort.
What treatment might look like: Once you know the cause, you can actively work to avoid having your cat come into contact with that trigger. In some cases, a cat allergy or itch-relief topical cream could help calm the problem until it subsides, or your veterinarian could prescribe a stronger allergy relief medication. Natural treatments such as supplements or a stronger hygiene routine can also help. Always check with your veterinarian first, however.

Determining the exact cause of your cat’s allergies might be a process of trial and error, but if you think your cat is suffering from food or skin allergies, it’s essential to see your veterinarian immediately to determine where the problem lies so you can start a proper treatment regimen right away.

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