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PAW’S

CORNER

By Sam Mazzotta

TRACKING THE SOURCE OF PET’S FOOD ALLERGIES

D EAR PAW’S CORNER: an allergy to many kinds of food. response, and your pet’s allergies will
come roaring back.
That includes carbohydrates, includ-
My cat “Starlight” has
terrible skin allergies,
ing wheat or soy, and proteins like
and I haven’t been
may be inconclusive. Pets, like
able to pinpoint the beef, chicken, lamb, fish or dairy. The results of an elimination diet
cause. She does not have fleas -- I Ilana Halperin, DVM, of UC Davis humans, can be allergic to a combi-
give her a monthly topical treatment Veterinary Medicine explains that in nation of allergens -- food and dust
and keep the house clean. She’s an order to pinpoint the allergy, they mites (environmental), for example.
indoor cat, so environmental aller- have owners eliminate any protein or Testing will take time as you and the
gies may not be a problem, according carbohydrate that their pet has eaten vet work together to eliminate po-
to my veterinarian. Could she have a in the past. This often means feeding tential causes of your pet’s allergies
food allergy? -- Blake W. in Syracuse, a specialized meal made with hy- and zero in on the problem food or
New York drolyzed protein, which the immune other allergen that is making them
system is less likely to react to. Treats uncomfortable.
DEAR BLAKE: A food allergy is a pos- and flavored chews are also off the
sibility, and you should loop in your menu. This testing phase lasts about COMMENTS
veterinarian regarding your concerns. eight to 12 weeks. Send your questions or pet tips
to ask@pawscorner.com.
That way you can work together to
try to eliminate potential problem It’s very important to keep your © 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.
foods. pet on this strict diet for the entire
period. Giving them a treat or table
Like humans, dogs and cats can have scraps could set off the immune