Most people are fond of keeping pets at home. Pets are animals that are kept at home for companionship e.g. fish, dog, cat, bird, rabbits, etc. Pets need a lot of care and maintenance for a healthy life. Pets are generally prone to infections and get diseases easily. Pets get various diseases related to kidneys, heart, fur, weight, etc. They also get allergies that lead to serious infections. The allergies can also be due to food intolerance. Many pets are allergic to food e.g. milk products, beef, wheat, salmon cat food etc. These allergies need to identified and addressed with appropriate medication and need to be further avoided by precautions.

What are the causes of food allergies?
Food allergy in pets is generally an occurrence when the immune system of the pet is intolerant or reacts different other than the normal way. There are various causes that lead to food allergies in pets which are:

• Genetic history or disposition are one of the major factors of allergies in pets as they develop intolerance to certain food items eg. dairy, beef, wheat, eggs, chicken, salmon cat food, etc.
• Environmental factors also play a role in food allergies as they disturb the immune system which affects the body mechanism to food products.
• Medication is another factor that may cause food allergies in pets. It may remain till the pet is on medication which might fade away once the pet is off the medication.

What are the symptoms of food allergy in pets?
The symptoms of food allergy in pets are:

• Itchy skin : Pets may have an itchy skin all the time which may be frustrating for them as they are at constant unrest due to itching. They are unable to sleep or even sit comfortably in one position. At this time, pets need a lot of care and support from their owners.
• Redness : There may be visibility of redness on the skin due to an allergy which may also be itchy at times.
• Constant shaking of head : This generally happens with the large and furry friends e.g. dog, cat, etc. as they have fur and it may be uncomfortable for them to cope with the allergy symptoms.
• Vomit : Pets may vomit due to food intolerance as a severe symptom of an allergy.
• Hair loss : The furry friends may also lose hair in large amounts due to food allergy.
• Ear infections : Many allergies lead to ear infections and cause unrest for the pets.
• Irritable behavior: Due to allergy, irritation is a very common symptom as the infection or allergy leads to the pet’s discomfort.
• Loss of appetite: Pets may also have a major loss of appetite as their body is not able to adapt due to the allergy and infection. They may also develop gastrointestinal problems due to allergies.

What triggers food allergies in cats?

• Artificial coloring: It is often a common ingredient in inexpensive cat food which can trigger allergies in cats.
• Dairy: In many pets, dairy products can cause allergic reactions. The symptoms for the same can be vomiting and diarrhea.
• Corn : Another common ingredient in cheaper cat foods in cornmeal. It can lead allergies in cats coupled with itching and flaking of the skin.
• Preservatives:  BHA and BHT are common preservatives linked with cat allergies.
• Seafood:  While the cats may love seafood but it is often the cause of cat allergies.