Symptoms of food allergies in cats and dogs often manifest as digestive sensitivities in both species, alongside issues with itchy skin or coat.

Should your pet be allergic to a component in their meal, they might exhibit various symptoms of food allergies, including:

• Itching
• Frequent sneezing
• Swelling of the face or muzzle
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Excessive drooling
• Inflammation of the claws
• Decreased appetite
• Lethargy
• Gastrointestinal discomfort, vomiting, and/or diarrhea

Cats experiencing allergies may show all the aforementioned symptoms, with the addition of hyperactive behavior. The most commonly observed sign of food allergies in both cats and dogs is itchy skin. Conducting a food trial or an elimination diet is the definitive method to ascertain if your pet suffers from food allergies.

Numerous veterinarians recommend home-cooked diets as the preferred option for conducting an elimination diet to identify food allergies in dogs and cats. This preference is largely due to the problem of mislabeling in commercial pet foods.

Several studies have highlighted discrepancies between the ingredients listed on pet food packaging and the actual contents. Through DNA analysis of the pet food, researchers discovered that many well-known pet food brands failed to disclose specific ingredients and proteins in their products.

Furthermore, a separate review pointed out that mislabeling is a widespread issue, even among commercial or veterinary-prescribed diets that claim to contain a limited number of ingredients. This review found that between 33-83% of these limited ingredient diets had inaccurately labeled their components.

This presents a significant challenge in pinpointing your pet’s food-related allergies, as it’s difficult to be certain of all the ingredients being served in their food bowl. If your pet exhibits allergy symptoms but fails to improve during an elimination diet based on the ingredients listed on their pet food packaging, it’s possible they have an allergy to something not disclosed on the label.

The most effective method to confirm an adverse food reaction in a pet involves feeding them a diet with limited ingredients for a period, until the allergy symptoms in your cat or dog subside. Following this, their original diet is reintroduced to demonstrate that it contained an allergen responsible for the resurgence of your pet’s allergy symptoms. This process is known as an elimination diet.

Pure, Whole Foods

Feeding your dog or cat a limited ingredient diet composed entirely of 100% natural ingredients can significantly alleviate their allergy symptoms. Our gently cooked wet diets avoid common allergens found in processed pet foods, as these often require artificial additives and preservatives for shelf stability. In contrast, fresh food doesn’t require preservatives since it’s designed to be kept in the refrigerator and consumed within a few days or frozen for extended storage.

Elimination diets typically feature a single protein source, often a novel protein that the pet has not previously consumed. Many veterinarians advocate for a homemade diet, as it allows for precise control and verification of every ingredient being added to your pet’s bowl.

Cooking at low temperatures reduces allergens while preserving nutrients

Simply selecting a pet food that claims to be free of a specific allergen may not suffice when managing food allergies in pets. The issue of mislabeling in pet food complicates the assurance that an allergen is completely absent from your pet’s diet. For instance, several pet foods advertised as chicken-free may still be processed using chicken fat or contain traces of chicken by-products and chicken meal.

A significant advantage of preparing pet food at home is the ability to precisely choose the ingredients that go into your pet’s meal, thereby eliminating any potential allergens.

Additionally, collaborating with your veterinarian allows for the substitution of ingredients that cause allergies with healthier alternatives. Crafting a homemade hypoallergenic diet for your cat or dog, with careful ingredient replacements, can maintain nutritional balance.

High quality ingredients and fresh vegetables

Many commercial pet food brands, including Blue Buffalo, can be opaque in their ingredient labeling, using terms like “meat byproducts,” “Menadione Sodium Bisulfite,” and “Propylene Glycol.” Menadione Sodium Bisulfite, a synthetic form of vitamin K, has carcinogenic potential with long-term feeding, while Propylene Glycol, used in antifreeze, raises concerns about its inclusion in pet foods. This lack of clarity in labeling often means unknowingly feeding your pet a mix of unidentified or, at best, synthetic ingredients.

Opting for homemade hypoallergenic dog and cat food recipes empowers you to use whole, healthy ingredients, ensuring your pet’s diet is both nutritious and safe. It offers the flexibility to include high-quality meats and fish, specifically beneficial for pets with food allergies. This approach also allows you to steer clear of dubious components such as by-products and chicken meal.

When preparing homemade meals, you have the liberty to tailor the ingredients to suit your pet’s needs while keeping their diet nutritionally balanced. For instance, you can substitute certain carbs and meats with hypoallergenic options like sweet potato and brown rice. Utilizing high-quality bone meal from reliable sources can also help maintain an appropriate calcium to phosphorus ratio, ensuring your pet receives a well-rounded diet.

No fillers, additives or preservatives

Even high-end commercial dog foods and top-tier cat foods contain artificial preservatives, salts, and chemicals to extend their shelf life. Such additives can aggravate pre-existing health issues in pets, including heart disease, allergies, or diabetes, and lead to overall diminished health.

Similarly to humans benefiting from a diet low in preservatives and rich in fresh foods, our pets also thrive on fresher, more natural diets. Opting for homemade meals eliminates the reliance on artificial preservatives, as these foods are served fresh or preserved through freezing.

Immune-boosting natural vitamins and minerals

Often, relying on commercial pet food diets leads to feeding your pet the same type of kibble for extended periods, such as a single 30 lb bag. This monotony is not only unexciting for your pet but also restricts the diversity of immune-enhancing vitamins and minerals they consume.

Creating a nutritionally balanced, homemade, fresh, and hypoallergenic diet for dogs and cats offers the flexibility to change or substitute ingredients in your pet’s meals, enriching their diet with a broader spectrum of nutrients. Much like humans, the more varied the nutrients pets receive from their meals, the stronger their immune system will be, contributing to their overall health and well-being.

Delightfully Tasty, Hypoallergenic Cuisine for Dogs and Cats

Pawsibly Delicious’s offerings were crafted to align with hypoallergenic dietary needs through the following measures:

Recipes balanced and approved by numerous dog’s that have tried our food
Formulas with a limited number of ingredients
Ingredients that are 100% human-grade, natural, and sourced ethically
Premium supplements and organic oils
Nutrients that enhance the immune system, derived from fresh vegetables, fish, and meat