Unfortunately, cat allergies are common nowadays and many owners struggle with finding the best way to help their pets deal with this problem.
One of the crucial things to do here is pick up a hypoallergenic cat food that won’t cause allergy symptoms in your cat. Some of the most common symptoms here are gastrointestinal issues, itching, hair loss, sneezing, and a runny nose.
The food you should look out for is the one that’s easily digestible, made of high-quality ingredients, and the one that will be gentle on your cat’s digestive system.
Of course, to be sure what protein exactly causes an allergic reaction in your pet, you need to submit it to allergy testing.
It’s crucial to know what your cat is allergic to – so that you can avoid the foods containing that ingredient.
Now, we’ve made a list of the nine best cat foods for cats with allergies, both dry and wet options. These are all foods with hypoallergenic formulas, made with cats with delicate digestive systems in mind.
Let’s look at them.
Top 3 Cat Foods For Cats With Allergies
1. Budget Pick: Nulo Freestyle Indoor Cat Food
- Grain-free
- BC30 probiotic supports healthy gut flora
- Omega 3 & 6 for coat and skin
2. Premium Pick: Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Adult Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
- Supports a cat’s digestive system, as well as healthy skin and coat
- No added artificial flavors, gluten, soy, or grain
- Real duck as the leading meat ingredient
3. Best Overall: Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult, Sensitive Stomach & Skin
- Highly digestible receipt
- Prebiotic fiber
- Vitamin E & omega 6 for skin and coat nourishment
9 Best Cat Food For Cats With Allergies
1. Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Indoor Natural Adult Dry Cat Food
- Real chicken, hairball/weight control
- No by-products, corn, wheat, soy
- 11-lb bag, high-protein, grain-free
- LifeSource Bits for immune support
Pros:
- Promotes healthy skin, coat, kidney, and bladders
- Real salmon as #1 ingredient
- Formulated with the finest natural ingredients, with no preservatives
Cons:
- Some cats may not like the salmon taste
Blue Buffalo Tastefuls dry cat food contains salmon and brown rice to promote healthy digestion, skin and coat health, and kidney and bladder health in felines.
This cat food also features nutritious fruits and vegetables and healthy complex carbohydrates. Containing taurine, Blue Buffalo food promotes heart and eye health as well.
This formula is made with the finest natural ingredients. There aren’t any artificial flavors, wheat, soy, corn, or chicken by-product meals, meaning that it’s a safe and excellent choice for felines with allergies.
Customers report healthy digestion in their cats after transitioning to Blue Buffalo cat food. Also, cats’ coats become shinier and softer.
One thing I would like to emphasize here is that, although most cats really enjoy any kind of fish, there’s still a chance that some of them will simply not be thrilled with the salmon taste.
2. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult, Sensitive Stomach & Skin
- Sensitive stomachs and skin
- Prebiotic fiber
- Omega-6 & Vitamin E
- USA made
- Vet recommended
Pros:
- Made for cats with sensitive stomach and skin
- Highly digestible receipt with prebiotic fiber
- Natural ingredients with added amino acids, vitamins and minerals
Cons:
- Not so good for weight management
With a 4.7 out of 5 stars among 12,257 ratings on Amazon – Hill’s Science Diet is our best overall pick on this list.
This cat food is made in the United States with natural ingredients. It provides optimal digestive health for cats with food sensitivities, while nourishing their skin and fur.
The Hill’s Science food contains prebiotic fiber, which is excellent for a cat to maintain healthy gut bacteria and microbiome. It’s also a highly digestible food and ensures optimal nutrient absorption. At the same time, scooping your cat’s poop after eating this food will be easier.
The great thing about all foods from Hill’s Science is that they only use high-quality ingredients such as lamb, salmon, and real chicken. Their products never contain preservatives or artificial colors.
One review that caught my attention points out that this isn’t a great option for weight management, since a cat on this diet gained eight pounds over a year.
This is a good thing to have in mind for all owners struggling with obese cats.
3. Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Recipe With Real Rabbit Natural
- Single protein, grain-free
- Rabbit-based, easily digestible
- Raw-coated kibble for nutrition
- Minimally processed, real ingredients
- Made in the USA for cats with allergies
Pros:
- Easily digestible ingredients
- No dairy, corn, potato, egg, soy, or wheat
- Made with farm-raised rabbit
Cons:
- Might cause smelly stool
Knowing your cat has food sensitivities or allergies, you need to be aware of the exact ingredients in the specific cat food.
The Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe with Real Rabbit is designed with simplicity in mind, focusing on just one animal protein and one vegetable.
At the heart of this food is farm-raised rabbit, a highly digestible and nutrient-rich protein that supplies your cat with all the essential amino acids they need.
Instinct cat food is a food where every piece of kibble is coated in freeze-dried for taste and nutrition.
This food is minimally processed, retaining natural flavors, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Some of the most important benefits of this cat food are relief from food sensitivities, better digestion, improved skin and coat, and weight improvement.
According to a couple of customers, there is one downside of the Instinct cat food: It seems to cause a smelly poop problem in felines.
4. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Adult Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
- Single protein: salmon, grain-free peas
- For sensitive pets, supports skin and digestion
- No soy, gluten, artificial additives
- Complete nutrition for all cats
- Tested for safety with every batch
Pros:
- Real duck works as an easily digestible protein, supports lean muscle mass
- Green peas as a good source of fiber and protein
- Supports digestive health
Cons:
- A high price
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Adult Grain-Free Dry Cat Food is a food of high quality, pricier than other products on our list, which makes it our premium pick.
This grain-free cat food is a great choice for cats struggling with allergies.
It offers balanced nutrition for cats, with the duck as the leading animal protein source. This ingredient is rich in protein and amino acids and helpful in maintaining your cat’s muscles strong.
Green peas are the next crucial ingredient here – the one that presents a source of fiber to support your cat’s digestive health.
Natural Balance cat food is made with sensitive cats in mind, offering a simplified list of premium ingredients that will be beneficial for their digestive systems, skin, and coats.
There aren’t any artificial flavors, grain, gluten, or soy in this cat food.
5. Nulo Freestyle Indoor Cat Food
- 82% animal protein, low carb
- Probiotic for digestion and immunity
- Supports skin, coat, and muscles
- Made in the USA, no artificial additives
Pros:
- Duck and lentils recipe
- BC30 probiotic supports healthy gut flora
- Omega 3 & 6 for coat and skin
Cons:
- Not the ideal option for kittens
With a price of $11.69 for a 2-pound bag, Nulo Freestyle Indoor cat food is our budget option on this list.
This cat food is manufactured in Austin, Texas. It contains no artificial preservatives, wheat gluten, soy, or corn.
Duck and lentils are the leading ingredients here. Catster explains how lentils have a high protein content, as well as a reasonably low caloric content, keeping your cat’s weight in check.
This cat formula is made of 83% animal-based protein to gain a flavor that your cat will simply adore.
Nulo Freestyle Indoor cat food features BC30 probiotic to support healthy gut flora and aid digestion in cats. Also, it includes L-carnitine to support metabolism health and weight management.
Furthermore, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in this cat food nourish your cat’s skin and promote a shiny coat.
A couple of customers suggested that this food is made for adult cats, but it isn’t such a good option for kittens. It would be nice if the manufacturer emphasized this.
6. Purina Pro Plan Allergen Reducing, High Protein Cat Food
- Reduces allergens with egg protein
- 47% reduction after 3 weeks
- Salmon for skin and coat
- Probiotics for digestion and immunity
- Pro Plan SPECIALIZED
Pros:
- Reduces cat allergens by neutralizing Fel D 1 protein
- Salmon as #1 ingredient
- Supports digestive and immune health
Cons:
- Some customers find it overpriced
Purina Pro Plan Allergen Reducing is a cat food that reduces cat allergens by simply neutralizing the Fel d 1 protein, which is a common allergen in cat saliva.
This high-protein dry cat food features salmon as the number one ingredient, providing a healthy coat and skin for your pet.
This manufacturer promises a significant reduction in a cat’s allergies within three weeks of feeding Purina Pro Plan cat food.
This is a highly digestible cat food, fortified with probiotics for a cat’s immune and digestive health.
Despite these features, a couple of customers find this cat food overpriced.
7. Reveal Natural Wet Cat Food
- Grain free, natural
- High-quality protein
- Variety of flavors
- No artificial additives
Pros:
- 100% natural
- A range of enticing flavors and textures
- Grain-free
Cons:
- Dries out fast
If you’re struggling with a cat that won’t eat wet food, the Reveal Natural Wet Cat Food may be helpful with this problem.
This cat food is grain-free and made of limited ingredients. High-quality protein is always the number one ingredient with the Reveal Natural cat food.
This manufacturer offers a wide range of different flavors and textures. Some of the most popular ones are poultry, seafood, and savory gravy.
If you have a particularly picky kitty, you’re likely to find a flavor in this wet cat food range that will appeal to them.
Of course, there aren’t any artificial preservatives in this food, making it a good choice for cats with sensitive stomachs.
One downside worth mentioning is that the Reveal Natural food seems to dry out fast.
8. Sheba Perfect Portions Cuts In Gravy Adult Wet Cat Food
- Complete nutrition
- Soft food in gravy
- No leftovers, portioned servings
- Grain-free, no artificial additives
- 24 twin pack trays
Pros:
- Made of sustainably sourced fish
- 100% complete and balanced diet for cats
- Two convenient servings in portioned trays
Cons:
- Messy to open
Sheba cat food is a balanced food, enriched with all the essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals for cats in all life stages.
This food contains three soft cat food ntrées with a light texture. It comes with two convenient servings in portioned trays, making it ideal for serving your cat just as much food as it needs pre one meal.
There aren’t any grains, wheat, or corn in this food, meaning that it isn’t allergy-triggering.
Sheba cat food is made in the United States, with the highest quality ingredients from all around the world.
One thing worth mentioning here is that some customers find this cat food messy to open. The foil lid is secured well, meaning that people with a disability or a hand strength issue may find it challenging to open.
9. Solid Gold Grain Free Chicken Dry Cat Food
- Grain-free, high protein
- Alaskan Pollock and salmon
- Prebiotics and probiotics for digestion
- Supports coat and immune health
- Includes vitamins and Omega fatty acids
Pros:
• Sensitive stomach, digestive, and immune support for cats
• Features prebiotics and probiotics that support digestion and healthy gut flora
• Chicken, lentil, and apple recipe
Cons:
• Flat and large pieces aren’t suitable for cats with poor teeth
Solid Gold cat food is made of whole superfoods that provide fiber to aid cats’ digestion. Also, it features antioxidants to help your cat gain good bacteria.
To ensure your cat’s immune system is safe, this cat food is enriched with probiotics. Additionally, the omega 3 and 6 fatty acids take care of your cat’s skin, coat, and heart health.
The unique blend of chicken, apple, and lentil is also helpful with hairball control. Cats prone to allergies will benefit from this grain and gluten-free recipe.
The natural, cage-free chicken is the leading meat protein in Solid Gold cat food, and the ingredient responsible for a tasty flavor all cats will enjoy.
There is one potential downside here concerning cats with teeth problems. Since the pieces of this dry food are flat and large, they don’t make an ideal choice for felines with poor teeth.
Conclusion
These cat foods make great options for felines struggling with allergies.
They’re easily digestible, made of high-quality ingredients, and free of any harsh additives. I’m sure all of you will find your favorite, considering there are options of different price ranges, flavors, and food types on this list.
In the end, I would like to remind you that you should get confirmation of the exact protein that’s causing an allergic reaction in your cat.
Only after clarifying this should you decide to transition to a new cat food. Of course, you can also always ask your veterinarian for some advice.
