Best Hypoallergenic Cat Food - Wet & Dry Food Reviews | iPetCompanion

Best Hypoallergenic Cat Food – Wet & Dry Food Reviews

Similar to us humans, cats too can have allergies to certain food ingredients. The most common are dairy, seafood and corn. However, because allergies are prevalent amongst cats, many manufacturers have begun creating cat food that is both good for your cat and keeps it full, whilst at the same time not upsetting its stomach.

Having done the research and found the best food for cats with allergies, we have compiled a list of our top wet and dry hypoallergenic cat foods, looking at each in detail, as well as mentioning their respective pros and cons.

So, without further adieu, let us begin with our look into our top picks. 

The Best Hypoallergenic Cat Food: Our Top Picks

halo natural dry cat food

  • Does not include fillers
  • For sensitive stomachs
  • Balanced and healthy

Rated by: Amber

nataural balance dry cat food

  • Good quality ingredients
  • Good level of nutrition
  • Tastes nice

Rated by: Amber

Instinct original grain free cat food

  • Devoid of any sorts of fillers 
  • Several different flavors
  • Helps with digestion issues

Rated by: Amber

1.  Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Cat Food, Grain Free 

Quick Summary

Rated by: Amber

This is a great food for any cat that suffers with allergies as it has a limited amount of ingredients, which of course limits the amount of exposure to allergens that your cat faces.

The formula includes salmon and peas, and is also free from any grains.

With only a single source of both protein and carbs, there is a reduced opportunity for your cat to develop any sort of allergies to the included ingredients.

To best introduce a limited ingredient cat food into your cats diet, choose a food that they have never had before. So if they usually have rice and chicken, go for peas and salmon instead.

Your cat will love the natural balance of flavors that is not present in some food with limited ingredients, which can sometime be unappetizing. Some of the most common and addictive allergens for cats are wheat gluten and corn, both of which are not present in Natural Balance Dry Cat Food.

It will leave your feline with a shiny coat, as well as helping them with any gastrointestinal issues that they may have.

PROS

  • Includes good quality ingredients
  • Provides a good level of nutrition
  • Tastes nice

CONS

  • Bag is not resealable

2.  Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free

Quick Summary

Rated by: Amber

This limited ingredient and grain free cat food is perfect for those felines that are sensitive to certain ingredients. It has a single source of protein in the form of white fish.

This is ideal for those cats that have shown that they are intolerant to beef, chicken, and other meats. The Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient  cat food does not contain any eggs nor dairy.

What it does include is pumpkin, which can help with any digestion issues that your cat may have. With many cats being allergic to chicken, this cat food does not include any so it makes the process of eliminating and narrowing down ingredients that much easier.

The food also helps to reduce the amount that your cat vomits, reduces the number of hairballs, and also improves the shine on your cat’s coat. On top of this, it tastes nice so even the most fussiest of cats will love eating this food.

PROS

  • Contains no eggs or dairy
  • Helps improve any digestion issues
  • Reduces hairballs

CONS

  • Strong unpleasant smell

3. Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Fish & Potato Wet Cat Food 

Quick Summary

Rated by: Amber

This is a wet hypoallergenic cat food, so it is perfect for those cats that do not drink much water.

The protein in the Blue Basics limited ingredient wet cat food comes from duck, a healthy meat that is not commonly used in cat food.

Rather than wheat, peas and potatoes are used to act as the source of carbohydrates.

For extra benefits fish oil is added to treat your cat’s flaky or dry coat, and makes the food easier to digest altogether, which makes it ideal for those cats whose stomachs are sensitive.

PROS

  • Contains lots of water
  • Treats flaky or dry skin
  • Easy to digest

CONS

  • Cans are small

4. Instinct Original Grain Free Recipe Natural Wet Canned Cat Food

Quick Summary

Rated by: Amber

This wet cat food is the perfect option for those cats who are prone to developing allergies but prefer a diet that is wet. It does not have a limited number of ingredients but it does not include soy, wheat, gluten, or corn, and is also devoid of any sorts of fillers, which are all common allergens.

With most cat allergies arising from foods that are corn based, this is a great product to feed your feline with, as it does not contain any such ingredients and so won't cause allergic reactions. It comes in several different flavors, including salmon, which is perfect for those cats with allergies as some have beef or poultry allergies. The salmon flavor is 95 percent fish and chicken liver, whereas many other cat foods are just 30 to 40 percent protein.

It is good for those cats that have issues with digestion and those that are sensitive to corn. It has also been noted by some pet owners that it works to relieve symptoms of itchy skin conditions.

PROS

  • Devoid of any sorts of fillers
  • Comes in several different flavors
  • Helps to improve digestion issues

CONS

  • Very watery

5. "I and love and you" Naked Essentials Canned Wet Cat Food

Quick Summary

Rated by: Amber

Produced by a small pet brand from the city of Boulder, Colorado, “I and love and you” comes highly recommended from both pet owner and registered veterinarians.

The ingredients included are free from grains, have no fillers, and completely natural. Cod is the sole protein used in the cat food.

Feeding your cat fish is great if they have previously had issues with other types of meat. Included in the food is Omega 6 and Omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial in providing your cat with a full and shiny coat. On top of all of this, the food tastes nice, which is ideal for those cats that are fussy eaters.

PROS

  • Recommended by registered veterinarians
  • Completely natural ingredients
  • Tastes nice

CONS

  • Recipe often changes

6. Halo Natural Dry Cat Food, Sensitive Stomach Seafood Medley

Quick Summary

Rated by: Amber

This cat food by Halo has only refined whole grains and proteins in it. This includes the likes of peas, whitefish, eggs, and salmon.

Unlike many other cat foods, it does not include fillers that are high in starch, such as potatoes and corn, which are used to reduce the quantity of meat and other proteins required.

These fillers are some of the main allergens for cats. This seafood medley does not include any fillers or by products so that what your pet cat is eating is completely balanced and healthy.

For those cats that are allergic to by products from meat or fillers, this food is a great option.

Specifically designed for those cats that have sensitive stomachs, this food can help to relieve the symptoms of indigestion, loose stools, or vomiting, as well as helping your cat to digest food more comfortably.

PROS

  • Does not include fillers
  • Designed for cats with sensitive stomachs
  • Completely balanced and healthy

CONS

  • Causes some cats to vomit

7. Royal Canin Cat Food Veterinary Diet Hypoallergenic 

Quick Summary

Rated by: Amber

The formula in this cat food differs from many other hypoallergenic foods in that it includes hydrolysed proteins which helps to make it much easier to digest, particularly compared to those cat foods that are rich in protein.

The process of hydroxylation breaks down proteins partially so that they turn into amino acids.

Royal Canin Diet Hypoallergenic cat food uses soy protein that has been hydrolysed so it is the ideal option for those cats that are sensitive to particular meats or fish. 

As well as this, it also contains amino acids and a blend of certain B vitamins, which have been included in order to make your cat’s skin and fur that much better. Additionally, the food itself tastes great and will keep your cat coming back for more.

PROS

  • Includes hydrolysed proteins
  • Contains amino acids and B vitamins
  • Tastes nice

CONS

  • Causes some cats to vomit

8. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Feline HA Hypoallergenic Dry Cat Food

Quick Summary

Rated by: Amber

Made by one of the best known names out there in the world of cat food, this hypoallergenic cat food includes rice starch and hydrolyzed protein to ensure that it is easy to digest.

Soy is the main protein source, however, it I supplemented with the addition of chicken liver.

With its meaty taste, the Purina Pro Plan Hypoallergenic Dry Cat Food has had B vitamins added, so that not only does it taste good but also it benefits your cat’s metabolism.

PROS

  • Contains hydrolysed proteins
  • Benefits your cat’s metabolism
  • Tastes nice

CONS

  • Lacks a strong smell to entice cats

FAQ – A Buyer’s Guide

So there you have it. Those are our top picks for the best wet and dry hypoallergenic food for cats that are currently available on the market. As you can see there is a varied array of different textures, flavors, price points, and manufacturers to ensure you find a product that is best for both you an your cat.

With the knowledge as to what types of hypoallergenic foods are available, read on to have some of the most commonly asked questions answered relating to this specialist cat food. By then end you should feel confident enough to fully understand your cat’s allergies and how food can help to alleviate their symptoms.

What food is good for cats with allergies?

If you have a pet cat that is prone to developing allergies, then you may want to consider purchasing some hypoallergenic cat food in order to alleviate the symptoms. They work by excluding certain ingredients that your cat, and many others, are allergic / sensitive to.

There are dozens and dozens of this type of food currently available on the market, however with all that choice it is difficult to decide on which product is the best for your cat. If you have fully read the review above then hopefully this has made deciding on a type of hypoallergenic food for your cat that bit easier.

If none of the hypoallergenic foods that we looked at seemed right for your cat, then you should also consider the following as an option for cats - Cat Chow Natrurals Original Dry cat Food, Hill’s Prescription Diet Hypo Treats for Cats, Purina PRO PLAN Vet Diet Feline HA Hypoallergenic Cat food, or James Wellbeloved Adult Cat Hypoallergenic Complete Balanced Light Food.

How can you tell if your cat is allergic to food?

Did you know that the food you have been feeding your cat for years and that they seem to love could in fact be responsible for causing their allergies? This happens when their immune system mistakenly deems a particular ingredient as a threat to their body and so begins to attack it, causing symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea, flatulence, chronic ear problems, frequent scratching leading to hair loss, and sneezing.

This ingredient is usually some sort of protein, typically fish or beef. It is therefore important to remove these things from you cat’s diet as allergies can last a lifetime. However, it can also be certain medications, an infection or some sort of inflammation that causes your cat’s allergies.

The best way to manage allergic reactions is to firstly identify which ingredient is causing the reaction and then work to remove it from your cat’s diet. If it turns out that your pet cat is allergic to a specific protein, then it is advisable to try them with another, less common one such as venison or duck.

What is the best cat food for sensitive skin?

If your cat suffers with issues from its sensitive skin, it is advisable to feed it a diet that consists of hypoallergenic food. This is because your cat has a food allergy and this type of food does not include common allergens, such as dairy products or grains.

When your cat eats these ingredients, it triggers a response in their immune system to attack, which results in skin infections and itchy skin. However, this may not solely be down to certain food types, as allergies can also be present as a result of certain medications, infections, and inflammation within your cat.

Some of the best hypoallergenic cat foods for sensitive skin include Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Cat Food, Purina ONE Sensitive Systems Adult Dry Cat Food, and Blue Buffalo BasicsLimited Ingredient Diet Grain Free.

How long do food allergies last in cats?

Although most allergies are rarely life threatening for your cat, it is highly important that they are rightly diagnosed and correctly treated so that your cat can live a healthy and enjoyable life. However, diagnosing an allergy can often be difficult as there is no blood test that can be done and if untreated, an allergy will last a lifetime.

What most veterinarians suggest is a diet that that excludes certain ingredients over a pre-determined period of time. For example, those cats with skin issues would be given a restricted diet for as long as four to twelve weeks, whereas those suffering from gastrointestinal issues require a much shorter restricted diet.

When their diet is being restricted it is important to not feed your cat anything else, this includes any little treats or titbits, no matter how much your pet begs you to. If you have an outdoor cat then it is best to keep them indoors at all tine during this period in order to stop them eating anything else, such as a mouse.

 The Best Hypoallergenic Cat Food Of All

Although there were quiet a few different products that made our final list, for us there was a clear standout winner that was head and tails above the rest. The NaturalBalance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Cat Food, Grain Free is our pick for the best hypoallergenic cat food of all.

This is for several reasons, the main one being its really high quality ingredients. This is something that the other products simply could not guarantee. Additionally, it provides your cat with everything it needs to ensure it maintains a good level of nutrition, something that will benefit your cat in many aspects. Finally, it tastes nice, which means your cat will eat and fill itself up on the Natural Balance food rather than eating something that it should not.

Even though this was our top pick, no one knows their cat better than you do, so if you think that your cat may not take to eating the Natural Balance food then why not try it with any of the other hypoallergenic foods in our list. Failing that there are lots of other products out there, it just requires you to do some research to find the one that suits your pet cat.

About the Author Amber