Jeffrey Salazar
Cats may need dietary changes for various reasons, including food allergies, intolerances, and digestive issues. Novel protein cat food can be a great solution for these issues, as it contains less common protein sources that are new to your cat's diet. When choosing a novel protein diet, it is important to consider your cat's unique dietary needs and speak with a veterinarian. This can help identify any allergens and ensure your cat's well-being. A novel diet consists of protein and carbohydrate sources that your cat hasn't eaten before, reducing the likelihood of an allergic reaction. Prescription diets are recommended to ensure the food is made in a specialised facility, minimising the risk of contamination. It may take up to eight weeks to see a response to a novel protein diet, and it is important to monitor your cat for any allergy signs during this period.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To address specific dietary needs, food allergies or intolerances, or other digestive issues |
| Definition | Proteins that are completely new to your cat's diet |
| Benefits | Less likely to be recognised by the immune system and trigger an allergic reaction; can help manage food sensitivities, allergies, or intolerances |
| Drawbacks | Difficult to find truly novel proteins due to similar flavours and ingredients in ordinary cat food; some niche diets may not be balanced according to nutritional needs |
| Considerations | Consult with a veterinarian; provide a detailed diet history; consider a prescription diet or hydrolyzed protein diet; be aware of potential cross-reactions between proteins |
| Examples | Rabbit, duck, kangaroo, salmon, chicken, soy, venison |
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What You'll Learn
Cats with specific dietary needs, food allergies, intolerances, or digestive issues
Some common signs of food allergies in cats include gastrointestinal issues (e.g., soft stool, diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, excess gas) and skin irritations (e.g., itchy skin, reddened skin, recurring secondary skin infections). If you suspect your cat has a food allergy, it is important to consult your veterinarian, who may recommend an elimination-challenge diet trial. This process involves feeding your cat a novel protein, such as chicken, for a period of time while monitoring for any allergic reactions. If symptoms persist, your veterinarian may suggest another novel diet or a hydrolyzed protein diet, which contains proteins broken down into tiny pieces that are less likely to be recognized by the cat's immune system.
It is worth noting that finding a suitable novel protein diet for your cat may take time and effort. Many over-the-counter cat foods marketed as "soy-free" or "grain-free" may still contain trace amounts of these ingredients, potentially aggravating allergies in sensitive cats. Prescription diets are generally more reliable, as they are produced in facilities dedicated to specific allergy-friendly foods. Additionally, it is crucial to consult with your veterinarian and consider your cat's unique dietary needs before making any significant dietary changes.
KOHA Pet, a specialized brand, offers a range of novel protein recipes for cats with allergies, IBS or IBD, and sensitive stomachs. Their limited-ingredient recipes include novel proteins like rabbit and duck, combined with ingredients such as pumpkin and cranberries for urinary tract health. KOHA's wet cat food options are designed to simplify digestion and cater to cats with digestive issues.
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Novel proteins are new to your cat's diet
Novel protein cat food refers to food that contains less common protein sources that are new to a cat's diet. These are ideal for cats with specific dietary needs, food allergies, intolerances, or other digestive issues.
Novel proteins are less likely to be recognised by a cat's immune system, reducing the risk of an allergic reaction. For example, if a cat has a negative reaction to chicken or beef, a novel protein diet may include rabbit or duck instead.
When choosing a novel protein diet, it is important to consider your cat's dietary needs and speak with a vet before making any changes. It can take time to find a suitable novel protein, and it may take up to eight weeks to see a response. It is also important to provide your veterinary team with a list of all the foods you have fed your cat so they can help choose the right diet.
Novel protein diets can be a great way to address food allergies and IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). IBD prevents the intestines from absorbing nutrients, and a novel protein diet can help manage this condition.
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Novel diets may be better for price, availability, or taste
A novel diet may be a better option for your cat's health, and your wallet, for several reasons. Firstly, novel diets are often chosen for cats with specific dietary needs, food allergies, intolerances, or digestive issues. Novel proteins are new to your cat's diet, so they are less likely to be recognised by the immune system and therefore less likely to trigger an allergic reaction. This can be a great way to improve your cat's health and comfort, especially if they have allergies.
Secondly, novel diets may be more readily available and convenient for you. For example, if you are unable to recall all the foods your cat has eaten in the past, a novel diet may be a better option than a hydrolyzed diet, which requires knowledge of your cat's dietary history to be effective.
Thirdly, novel diets may be more appealing to your cat's taste buds. Cats can be picky eaters, and novel proteins can include ingredients such as rabbit, duck, or salmon, which may be more palatable to your cat than standard chicken or beef-based recipes.
Finally, while novel diets may be more expensive than standard cat food, they can save you money in the long run by preventing costly health issues and vet visits.
It is important to remember that every cat is unique, and you should always consult your veterinarian before making any significant dietary changes for your feline friend.
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How to identify and address allergens
Cats may need dietary changes for various reasons, including food allergies and IBD. To identify and address allergens, it is crucial to recognise the signs of allergies in cats, which can manifest as gastrointestinal issues such as soft stool, diarrhoea, vomiting, bloating, and excess gas, or as skin problems like itchy skin, reddened skin, and recurring secondary skin infections.
If you suspect your cat has allergies, it is important to consult a veterinarian, who may recommend an elimination-challenge diet trial. This involves feeding your cat a novel protein, i.e. a protein source they have never eaten before, for a period of time while monitoring for any allergic reactions. It is worth noting that a true novel protein diet may take up to eight weeks to see a response. During this trial, it is crucial to avoid giving your cat any treats or human food that might interfere with the results.
If your cat's symptoms improve on the elimination diet, you can either continue with that diet or proceed to the challenge phase, where you reintroduce their previous diet and observe for any recurrence of allergy signs. If the signs return, the elimination diet can be resumed. If the elimination diet does not yield any improvement, your veterinarian may suggest trying a different novel diet or a hydrolyzed protein diet, which involves feeding your cat proteins that have been broken down into very small pieces that are less likely to be recognised by their immune system.
Some novel protein sources to consider for your cat's diet include rabbit, duck, salmon, and venison. It is important to remember that novel protein diets for cats are not always easy to find over the counter, and prescription diets from your veterinarian may be a more reliable option to ensure the absence of contamination. Additionally, it is crucial to consult with your veterinarian before making any dietary changes for your cat to ensure their nutritional needs are met.
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Prescription diets are made in allergy-specific facilities
When choosing a novel protein diet for your cat, it is important to understand that the only reliable test for diagnosing food allergies is an elimination diet trial. This involves feeding your cat a diet that does not contain any proteins they have been previously exposed to. This process can take at least eight weeks, and it is important that no other treats, supplements, or edible products are fed during the trial.
Prescription diets are made in facilities specifically designed for each special allergy food. This is similar to human foods that are advertised as "peanut-free," ensuring no possibility of contamination for those with peanut allergies. Over-the-counter diets advertised as "limited-ingredient" are often processed in facilities one after another, leading to contamination and false allergic reactions.
Veterinary prescription diets, on the other hand, undergo extensive testing to ensure no contamination occurs. This means that if your cat has an allergic flare on a prescription diet, you can be confident that the ingredients are the issue, and not any contaminants. Prescription diets have strict control standards to prevent cross-contamination and are less likely to switch ingredients without updating their packaging.
Some examples of prescription diets for cats with allergies include Hill's Prescription Diet Food Sensitivities d/d formula, which uses either duck or venison as the sole protein source, and Royal Canin Selected Protein PD, which offers a similar hydrolyzed protein diet.
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Frequently asked questions
Novel protein cat foods are specialised diets that contain protein sources that are new to your cat. This means that your cat has never consumed these protein sources before. Novel protein cat foods are ideal for cats with specific dietary needs, food allergies, intolerances, or other digestive issues.
A novel protein diet may be a good choice for your cat if it has specific dietary needs, food allergies, intolerances, or other digestive issues. A novel diet may also be a better choice for reasons such as price, availability, or palatability (taste).
It is recommended that you consult a veterinarian before making any changes to your cat's diet or trying a novel protein recipe. You should provide your veterinary team with a list of all the foods (including treats and human food) you have fed your cat previously, as this can help in choosing the right novel diet for your cat.
