Cats with allergies often benefit from a diet that is gentle on the body and carefully balanced. In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), food therapy is used to support harmony and ease discomfort by choosing ingredients with specific energetic properties, such as “cooling” foods to calm irritation. Limited ingredient recipes, like the one below, reduce exposure to potential triggers while providing complete and balanced nutrition. By working with your veterinarian and selecting ingredients thoughtfully, you can create a homemade meal plan that supports your cat’s overall well-being and helps maintain comfort.
Cat Allergy Symptoms
Cats with allergies can exhibit a wide range of signs, many of which overlap with those of other conditions. Common symptoms include:
- Constant licking or over-grooming
- Persistent coughing or sneezing
- Recurrent ear infections
- Frequent itching or scratching
- Red, irritated, or inflamed skin
- Digestive upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea
Other indicators of allergies may include hair loss, chronic skin infections, recurring ear problems, or excessive licking of the feet. Some cats may also develop scabs, hot spots, or patches of thinning fur. Because these symptoms can also indicate other health concerns, it’s essential to consult your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and guidance before initiating any treatment or dietary changes.
Energetically Cooling Food Choices for Allergic Cats
In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), allergies in cats are often seen as a sign of internal Heat or inflammation. Choosing “cooling” foods helps balance this excess Heat, soothe irritation, and support overall harmony in the body. Eastern Food Therapy offers a gentle, natural way to help your cat feel more comfortable by selecting ingredients with the right energetic properties.
When creating a recipe, keep the number of ingredients to a minimum. This reduces potential allergens, making it easier to pinpoint which foods work best for your cat.
A good rule of thumb is:
- No more than one source of meat
- Up to two sources of vegetables or fruit
- Up to two sources of grains or beans
To maintain balance, include more cooling foods than neutral ones. For example, if you choose a neutral protein such as turkey, be sure to pair it with cooling grains, vegetables, or fats.
A nutritionally balanced feline diet generally contains:
- 75%–90% protein (from meat)
- 10%–25% carbohydrates (from grains, vegetables, or fruit)
- At least 2% fat
For cats, taurine is an essential amino acid and must be added to any homemade recipe. Taurine supports digestion, vision, heart muscle function, and immune health.
Additional ingredients can enhance the recipe:
- Honey: Cooling in nature and supportive for allergy relief; local honey may offer additional benefits.
- Flax seeds: A source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which help naturally reduce inflammation. (If you add fish oil instead, mix it in after cooking to preserve quality.)
Use the list of foods below to create endless delicious recipe combinations for your furry friend! Mix up the ingredients as needed to make a food that your cat loves. You can easily track the protein, carbohydrate, and fat ratios in an online food log, such as those found on Fitbit and Livestrong websites.
Meats/Protein Source
- Carp (neutral)
- Clam
- Cod
- Crab
- Duck
- Eggs (neutral)
- Goose (neutral)
- Herring (neutral)
- Kidney, pork (neutral)
- Liver, beef (neutral)
- Liver, sheep
- Mackerel (neutral)
- Oyster (neutral)
- Pigeon (neutral)
- Pork (neutral)
- Quail (neutral)
- Rabbit
- Sardine (neutral)
- Tofu
- Turkey
- Tuna (neutral)
- Whitefish (neutral)
- Yogurt
Vegetables/Fruits
- Alfalfa
- Artichoke (neutral)
- Asparagus (neutral)
- Banana
- Broccoli
- Cabbage (neutral)
- Carrot (neutral)
- Cauliflower (neutral)
- Celery
- Corn (neutral)
- Cucumber
- Dandelion leaf
- Eggplant
- Green beans (neutral)
- Green peas (neutral)
- Lettuce
- Mushroom, button
- Pear
- Potato (neutral)
- Spinach
- Summer squash
- Strawberry
- String beans (neutral)
- Swiss chard
- Tomato
- Watermelon
- Yam (neutral)
Grains/Beans/Starch
- Amaranth: 1/3 cup of dry amaranth + 3/4 cups of water = 1/3 lb cooked amaranth
- Barley: 1/3 cup dry barley + 1 cup water = 1/3 lb cooked barley
- Barley sprouts
- Black beans (neutral): 1/3 cup dry black beans + 1 cup water = 1/3 lb cooked black beans
- Black sesame seeds (neutral)
- Broad beans (neutral): 1/3 cup dry broad beans + 1 cup water = 1/3 lb cooked broad beans
- Brown Rice: 1/3 cup dry brown rice + 2/3 cups water = 1/3 lb cooked brown rice
- Buckwheat: 1/3 cup dry buckwheat + 3/4 cups water = 1/3 lbs cooked buckwheat
- Kidney bean (neutral) 1/3 cup dry kidney beans + 1 cup water = 1/3 lb cooked kidney beans
- Millet: 1/4 cup dry millet + 1/2 cup water = 1/3 lbs cooked millet
- Mung bean: 1/3 cup dry mung beans + 1 cup water = 1/3 lb cooked mung beans
- Peanuts (neutral)
- Red beans (neutral): 1/3 cup dry red beans + 1 cup water = 1/3 lb cooked red beans
- Sesame seeds
- Soybeans (neutral): 1/3 cup dry soybeans + 1 cup water = 1/3 lb cooked soybeans
- Tofu
- White rice (neutral): 1/3 cup white rice + 2/3 cups water = 1/3 lb cooked white rice
Fats
- Black sesame oil
- Flaxseed oil
- Peanut oil (neutral)
- Sesame oil
- Soybean oil
A Limited Ingredient Cat Food Recipe
We recommend a cooling, limited-ingredient diet for cats with any type of allergy.
A limited ingredient feline diet contains 80% meat/protein, source, 10% vegetables/fruits, and 10% grains and starches.
Mix and match the ingredients above to create a meal your cat loves!
The basic formula for the homemade cat food recipe is:
- 3 pounds from the “Meat/Proteins” list
- 1/3 pound from the “Fruit/Vegetables” list
- 1/3 pound from the “Grains/Beans/Starch” list
- 3/4 tablespoon from the “Fats” list
Sample Recipe
3 pounds turkey
1/3 pound veggies/fruit (from 2 sources, see list above)
1/3 pound kidney beans (cooked weight, blended)
2 tablespoons pound ground flax seed
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon salt
Cat Food Recipe Directions:
Debone and chop meat and vegetables.
Place all ingredients in crockpot layering:
- Slow cooking root vegetables on the bottom
- Meat in the middle
- Fast-cooking items on top
Top with 1 cup of water.
Cook on low for 4 hours.
In addition, add the following to your pet’s diet:
- One cat multivitamin daily
- Calcium supplement 50mg/kg of body weight (22mg/lb of body weight) per day.
- Taurine between 250mg and 500mg per cat per day
Feeding Schedule
Feed approximately ½ cup of food per 10 pounds of body weight, served twice daily. Be sure to monitor your cat’s weight regularly. If you notice any unwanted weight loss or gain, please get in touch with your veterinarian immediately so the feeding plan can be adjusted to meet your cat’s individual needs.
For picky eaters, consider blending the vegetables with about ½ cup of water to create a soft pulp. When cooked, this mixes naturally with the meat juices to form a flavorful broth. Many cats prefer to lap up the broth over chewing on vegetable pieces, making the meal more appealing while still being nutritious.
With just a little effort, preparing homemade food for your cat can be a simple and rewarding experience. Not only are you providing fresh, balanced meals, but you’re also strengthening the bond with your feline companion.
Get TCVM Cat Products at TCVM Pet Supply
Please consult with your veterinarian and use personal judgment when cooking at home for your cat.
Even though pet food recalls and the poor quality of some pet foods are a concern, many veterinarians voice concerns over homemade diets.
Some vets feel that when fed exclusively, homemade diets may result in vitamin/mineral deficiencies that can adversely affect a pet’s health.
If you choose to feed your cat a homemade diet, you must understand and meet your cat’s needs to stay healthy.
Please share our recipe with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can advise you on supplements for your pet’s individual situation.
Monitor your cat’s health by observing his/her temperament, skin, coat, and waste. If you notice anything strange, contact your veterinarian immediately.
