[valacat]

Can a cat have an allergy to a certain food, like beef, even before they ever eat it? Or is it, for a cat to have an allergy to a certain protein they have to develop one over time?

I just heard that beef is a common allergen for cats and wonder since my cat seems sensitive to certain foods (chicken) if it would be ok to give him it if he has never had it before.

 

[opokki]

They can't be allergic to something they've never eaten before. Some cats have an "intollerance" (think lactose intollerance) to certain ingredients but this is not the same thing as an allergy. An allergy is an immune system response, an intollerance is when something can't be digested properly.

 

[valacat]

thanks for clearing it up for me!