‘You are what you eat!’ the old adage goes, reminding us that good health relies on eating as much good nutrition as possible and avoiding things that are not so good for us, such as too much sugar or salt.
But for many people – and their pets – the influence of what we eat goes beyond nutrition alone. Food allergies and intolerances mean that some people – and pets – need to be cautious about their diet because it can result in an upset stomach, or dermatological symptoms, such as scratching or alopecia.
Our pets can’t read the label on their pet food, so it’s up to their pawrents to do their homework and make sure they provide meal options that take any dietary needs into account.
It’s also the responsibility of pet food manufacturers such as us, along with retailers and brands, to understand the issue of food allergies and intolerances in cats and dogs and provide a choice of recipes designed to avoid common triggers.
Are pet food allergies and intolerances on the rise?
While the subject of food allergies and intolerances in cats and dogs has become increasingly prominent within the pet care industry over the past few years, this doesn’t necessarily reflect an increasing prevalence, but simply growing awareness of how common these issues are and how much they can affect a cat or dog’s quality of life.
Food allergies and intolerances are now recognised as an important consideration in pet health and, along with the need for high-quality, health-conscious nutrition, have become a significant influence on consumer choices in the European pet food market. Consequently, pet food brands and retailers not only have a responsibility to provide pet food choices that omit common allergens, but are also recognising the opportunity to differentiate with products that reflect parallel trends in premiumisation, humanisation, and health and wellbeing.
How to recognise a food allergy or intolerance in cats and dogs
Food intolerances in cats and dogs typically manifest as skin irritations (such as itching, redness, and rashes), or gastrointestinal issues, such as vomiting and diarrhoea, or even a combination of these symptoms.
To make matters worse, cats and dogs are often intolerant to foods they love the most, including nutritious ingredients commonly found in pet food. Common allergens include specific animal proteins such as beef and chicken, as well as grains such as wheat or soy. Some additives can also trigger an allergy or intolerance.
Limited Ingredient Diets
The pet food industry has responded to pet pawrents’ concerns about their pets’ food intolerances by innovating with cat and dog food recipes developed specifically for limited ingredient diets (LIDs), including single-source protein formulations, and grain-free options. We aim to provide expert advice to brands and retailers on this subject, including both completed and balanced formulas from our pet nutritionists and R&D teams, and commercial insights from data and research. The result is pet food products that pet pawrents can trust, along with packaging that is clear and transparent about the ingredients. This ensures that pet pawrents can scrutinise products to check they it will be safe and nutritious for their cat or dog.
C&D Foods and its affiliates has proven expertise in formulating cat and dog foods that avoid the most common ingredients known to be the potential cause adverse reactions. We also ensure that any allergens are clearly identified for ease of selection , providing the brands and retailers we work with, and their customers, with complete peace of mind that the ingredients listed on the label are the only ingredients actually present in the recipe.
Choosing Intolerance-safe Pet Food – Our Top Tips
For pet owners concerned that their pet might have an allergy or intolerance, the first step is to contact your vet for advice. Your vet can help you identify which ingredients cause an adverse reaction in your cat or dog so that you can begin to narrow down the causes and eliminate the correct ingredients from their diet.
Once you have identified the dietary triggers your cat or dog reacts to, you might consider:
- Adopting a limited ingredients diet for your pet as the reduced number of ingredients will limit the risk of exposure to allergens and give you peace of mind.
- Checking the label thoroughly, as this will provide you with a complete list of the ingredients in the food you are buying. Don’t forget that brands and retailers may change their formulations over time, so keep checking the label, even if you consistently choose the same product.
- Monitoring and recording any reactions you cat or dog has to food, especially if you have introduced a new food or added treats to your pet’s diet. Documenting symptoms can help identify patterns and inform future choices.
- Seeking guidance from your vet. If you have limited your pet’s diet and symptoms persist, there may be a different cause, so your vet may advise running further tests.
Their Health; Our Choice
Some cats and dogs will eat anything their pet pawrents put in front of them and tolerate all pet foods well, others may love certain ingredients that don’t love them back! Regardless of how a pet behaves around food, it’s always important to remember that what they eat affects their health and there are plenty of choices available to enable pet owners to offer their cats and dogs a choice that suits their gut and immune system, as well as their palate.
