This review aims to guide you to some of the best dry cat food for skin allergies that owners can find on cat food shelves.
As a feline Nutritionist and pet owner, I have bought various foods for my cats. My main concern always was; how to provide the best nutrition for my pet.
I believe that our pets deserve the best possible food that we can provide.
In this article, I aim to show:
- Top 3 best dry cat foods for skin allergies,
- What to look for when buying best dry cat food for skin allergies,
- Difference between diets and what they aim to treat,
- Signs and treatments.
So you can make an informed choice if particular cat food is best for your pet.
With so many options available on cat food shelves, it is easy to be overwhelmed with the best dry cat food for skin allergies.
Let’s see our top picks.
Best Dry Cat Food For Skin Allergies
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein HP Dry Cat Food
- Hill’s Prescription Diet d/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Duck & Green Pea Formula Dry Cat Food
- Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet HF Hydrolyzed for Food Intolerance Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
3 Best Dry Cat Food For Skin Allergies Reviewed
Find below dry foods that I find the best help for a cat with skin allergy problems.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein HP Dry Cat Food
First five ingredients:
Brewers Rice, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Chicken Fat, Powdered Cellulose, Natural Flavors
Type of product:
Limited Ingredient Diet, Pea-Free, Veterinary Diet, Hydrolyzed Protein
Food form:
Dry Food
Best For:
- Designed for adult cats,
- It’s formulated with hydrolyzed soy proteins, composed of low molecular weight, peptides, so they can be absorbed in the digestive tract with a reduced risk of triggering an immune reaction,
- Helps support healthy digestion in cats prone to digestive upsets, including diarrhea,
- Strict manufacturing procedures to help avoid cross-contamination.
Key Benefits:
- Help reduce skin and GI reactions that may be a result of sensitivities to common proteins found in pet foods.
- Reinforces the skin barrier with essential nutrients to support healthy skin in cats with skin sensitivity and irritation.
- Helps support healthy digestion with an exclusive blend of fibers and prebiotics.
This product is also available in Wet food formulas. Best For:
Hill’s Prescription Diet d/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Duck & Green Pea Formula Dry Cat Food
First five ingredients:
Yellow Peas, Pea Protein, Duck, Green Peas, Soybean Oil
Type of product:
Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Veterinary Diet
Food form:
Dry Food
Best For:
- Specially formulated to support your cat’s skin and food sensitivities,
- Clinically proven nutrition to help avoid reactions.
Key Benefits:
- Specially formulated to support your cat’s skin and food sensitivities by soothing itchy and scratchy skin,
- Limited ingredient nutrition with single intact animal protein to help avoid common food allergies,
- Helps improve digestion and stool quality while visibly improving the skin and coat,
- High levels of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids encourage optimized immune response in gluten and soy-free formula,
- Added fish oil to eliminate the need for supplementing with clinically proven antioxidants to support a healthy immune system.
This product is also available in Wet food formulas. Best For:
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet HF Hydrolyzed for Food Intolerance Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
First five ingredients:
Salmon Hydrolysate, Peas, Potatoes, Pea Starch, Canola Oil (source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids)
Type of product:
Grain-Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Veterinary Diet, Hydrolyzed Protein
Food form:
Dry Food
Best For:
- Formulated for cats experiencing food sensitivities, it helps minimize the chance of adverse reactions to common proteins,
- The veterinary diet is made with hydrolyzed salmon for a highly digestible protein your cat will tolerate,
- Designed for adult cats.
Key Benefits:
- Hydrolyzed for food intolerance, this dry cat food provides natural nutrition for your cat with food sensitivities,
- Contains vitamins E, C, and antioxidant-rich ingredients such as pumpkin and kelp to support a healthy immune system,
- Prescription-only food has Omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil and flaxseed to help support your cat’s healthy skin and shiny coat,
- Grain-free, wholesome, and natural diet made with the finest ingredients available that have both beneficial nutrition and a taste.
This product is also available in Wet food formulas. Best For:
Signs that your cat has skin allergies:
And when to consider the best dry cat food for skin allergies
If you notice recurring signs like:
- Excessive licking (grooming),
- Pulling or bitting out hair,
- Scratching,
- Chewing at paws or body,
- Frequent ear infections,
- Red, dry, and/or flaky skin,
- Itchy, runny eyes,
- Vomiting or diarrhea.
It can mean that your cat has a skin allergy.
What causes skin allergies in cats?
Some triggers cause skin allergies in cats:
- Grooming products (shampoos),
- Food,
- Environmental irritants (such as pollen or fleabites).
How to treat skin allergies in cats?
- Grooming products.
Suppose you use shampoo, soaps, etc., to bathe your cat. You will more likely need to find another brand or more natural, cat-friendly product. Until then, the issue will not go away.
- Cat Food.
Unfortunately, it is more challenging to name food ingredient which causes allergy symptoms. If you are feeding a commercial diet, it can be one or more items from the ingredient list.
Veterinary cat food diets can help to get skin allergy symptoms in check.
Alternatively, you can try the Limited Ingredient diet to pinpoint the ingredient your cat should avoid. See your option HERE.
Speak with your cat’s veterinarian for advice if the best dry cat food for skin allergies could be beneficial for your cat.
- Environmental irritants.
Check with your cat’s Veterinarian if flea, ringworm, etc., treatments are up to date.
In my experience, some of the flea treatments available from supermarkets are not as effective as the ones prescribed by a veterinary practice.
Helpful tip
How to check if my cat has fleas?
Take a white piece of paper. A4 will be big enough. Wet the paper and brush your cat’s coat against the direction of the fur above the paper. Suppose you see black spots on the sheet. Your cat most likely has fleas.
It can be challenging to protect your cats when it comes to plants and pollen if they go outdoors. Unfortunately, they might need to stay indoors for a bit until the season changes.
Note:
I was surprised that Lillies could be poisonous to cats and cause skin allergies and kidney failure. I love this flower but no longer bring it home.
Are there home remedies for cats with skin allergies?
If you have found the cause for your cat’s skin problem, or even if you have not.
Some remedies can help your cat feel better.
Fish oil
Cod or Salmon oil are the most popular options. They can be taken in capsules or added to your cat’s meal.
In my experience, some of the supplement suggested doses are very low. My suggestion would be 1000mg for 10 lbs of body weight daily.
HERE is my choice for good fish oil.
Coconut oil
This remedy is for external use only. Apply as needed to affected areas to soothe your cats skin. Coconut oil is not poisonous to cats, so it is ok if they lick it.
Note:
Ensure it is a good quality oil, natural, and from a trusted supplier.
In conclusion.
We believe that every cat is different in its food preferences.
This is why we offer 3 of the best dry cat food for skin allergies available.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein HP Dry Cat Food
Hill’s Prescription Diet d/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Duck & Green Pea Formula Dry Cat Food
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet HF Hydrolyzed for Food Intolerance Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
Each of these foods is designed to make your cat feel better.
Since the protein is broken down, digestion and absorption are easier. As hydrolyzed diets are hypoallergenic and reduce food sensitivities, long-term use will help to reduce the possibility of new allergies. Hydrolyzed diets are complete and balanced, providing all the nutrients that cats need.
Choose the best dry cat food for skin allergies here.
