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Best Cat Treats for Food Allergies 2024
Written by Emily Bayne
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 11/18/2024, edited: 11/19/2024
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
It's no secret that cats are picky when it comes to food. A fussy feline can make shopping for treats difficult, but the hunt can feel downright impossible when your kitty has food allergies. But they still deserve yummy treats, too!
Many treats are packed with common allergens like chicken, soy, and corn, leaving sensitive kitties scratching and owners frustrated. Luckily, we're here to help you choose snacks that are safe, tasty, and free from common allergens.
We've scoured the web and found five of the best cat treats for cats with food allergies. These limited-ingredient, high-quality, and, most importantly, tasty treats that'll have your fur-baby begging for more.
Overview
HOLI Single Ingredient Dog & Cat Treats
HOLI pet treats are a great single-ingredient treat option made entirely of novel proteins like rabbit, lamb, and beef. These treats range between 48 and 65% protein, making these an iron-rich, nutrient-dense treat option that will help fuel your kitty's adventures.
These treats come in a three-flavor variety pack with their rabbit, lamb liver, and beef liver recipes, so your kitty gets the best of what HOLI has to offer. Plus, since these treats are shelf-stable, you can throw a pack in your bag for vet trips and outings!
Available flavors:
- Beef
- Rabbit
- Lamb
Holi Cat Treats
Why Wag! loves HOLI
- Single-ingredient cat treats
- Can be used as a food topper, adding flavor and protein to mealtimes
- Lamb and rabbit are uncommon allergens for cats
- Suitable for both dogs and cats (making it a convenient choice for multi-pet households)
Considerations & concerns
- The wording on Chewy regarding the variety pack size is misleading; each treat bag is ~2 oz for a total of 5.75 oz for the variety pack, instead of 3 treat bags each weighing 5.75 oz.
- On the pricey side
What pet parents say about HOLI
"My dog has allergies so I need single ingredient treats these are perfect. He loves them I used them for training and goes crazy for them."
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright 3D Custom Foods Corp.
PureBites Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
Variety is the spice of life, and PureBites Freeze-Dried Treats certainly doesn't have a shortage of it! We love this line in particular due to the limited ingredient formulas and a wide variety of proteins, with novel proteins like duck and minnows, which can be an excellent protein source for kitties with allergies to common meats.
Even though these treats are technically raw, they're freeze-dried to ensure they're free from pathogens like Salmonella. Plus, they're shelf-stable for easy storage!
Available flavors:
- Chicken Breast
- Ocean Whitefish
- Minnow
- Salmon
- Shrimp
- Ocean Medley
- Turkey Breast
- Duck
- Beef Liver
- Tuna
PureBites Shrimp Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
Why Wag! loves PureBites
- Single-ingredient recipes made with novel proteins — the perfect treats for cats with food allergies
- Freeze-dried raw to preserve nutrients and eliminate pathogens
- Small treats size make them easy for felines to eat
- Made with wild-caught seafood
Considerations & concerns
- Some reviewers said the seafood treats smell strongly
- Other reviewers state the amount of treats in each pack has decreased over the years
What pet parents say about PureBites
"One of my 17-year-old cats loves these treats, but the finicky 17-year-old only eats them when she's in the mood. If your cat likes shrimp, they will love these!"
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright PureBites.
Orijen Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
Orijen ranks as one of our favorite overall cat treats, and for good reason. These treats are made of 99% animal ingredients, so you can feel confident that your tiny tiger is getting all the protein, fats, and omega fatty acids they need to thrive. These treats are grain and gluten-free and only contain natural preservatives like rosemary and citric acid.
These treats provide the perfect protein boost, and they're freeze-dried to lock in as much nutrients as possible. The Tundra variety is among our favorite treats for cats with food allergies, as it contains only novel proteins.
Available flavors:
- Tundra
- Original
- Grass-Fed Lamb
- Six fish
- Regional Red
Orijen Original Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
Why Wag! loves Orijen
- Only one calorie per treat - perfect for overweight cats
- Freeze dried and gently heated to preserve nutrients and kill pathogens
- Features zip-top packaging to keep the treats fresh
- Affordably priced considering its quality
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
Considerations & concerns
- Some pet parents feel the texture of these treats is too crumbly
- Recipes contain multiple protein sources
What pet parents say about Orijen
"My little guy loved these a lot, and they're a quality treat. but one thing to consider is that due to the soft, crumbly texture a brown layer tends to get stuck to his teeth near the gumline, causing bad breath and maybe a risk factor for plaque and gum disease long term. Since switching to a crunchy dental treat and stopping these his teeth are cleaner and breath is fresher. Anecdotal, and at the end of the day he went crazy for the taste of these and they're full of quality ingredients."
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Mars Incorporated.
Applaws Filet Treats
If you're searching for an allergy-friendly soft treat, look no further than the Applaws Filets line. This line of single-ingredient wet treats is formed in the shape of meat or fish filets and is minimally processed, which we appreciate. These treats feature no artificial preservatives, dyes, grains, or gluten.
The only recipe in this treat range with more than one ingredient is, of course, the chicken and rosemary flavor, which has the addition of rosemary for added flavor. These treats range is high in protein with 75% moisture, making these a nutrient-dense way to ensure your house panther stays hydrated.
Available flavors:
- Mackerel
- Chicken Filet & Rosemary
- Salmon
- Tilapia
Applaws Chicken & Rosemary Cat Treats
Why Wag! loves Applaws
- Most recipes include a single ingredient
- 100% natural ingredients - nothing artificial here!
- Soft texture is great for cats with dental issues
- High in moisture, preventing dehydration and reducing the the risk of urinary stones
Considerations & concerns
- Pricey due to its high quality
- Phosphorus levels may vary — may be unsuitable for cats with kidney disease
What pet parents say about Applaws
"My cat just switched to a raw, all meat diet. He gets a multivitamin and probiotics as well. When shopping for some simple "make sense" ingredients, I stumbled across these filets. My cat is in heaven. These filets are great meal toppers and snacks. Plus, the only ingredient is the fish - wonderful protein source with the helpful omega's."
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Applaws Natural Cat and Dog Food.
Applaws Variety Purée Selection Lickable Cat Treats
You're not seeing double—we're such fans of Applaws treats that we had to put their lickable treats on this list as well! Purée-style lickable treats are huge on the pet food scene right now, and these do not disappoint!
These minimally processed, limited-ingredient treats feature paw-licking flavors like salmon, tuna, and chicken and have a velvety, smooth, lickable consistency which can be poured over food or served straight from the pouch. These are also available as a variety pack, so your kitty can try all the different offerings.
Available flavors:
- Chicken
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Variety
Applaws Purée Salmon Cat Treats
Why Wag! loves Applaws
- Creamy texture is ideal for cats with dental issues
- High moisture levels help prevent dehydration and urinary tract issues
- Limited, quality ingredient with just one or two animal proteins
Considerations & concerns
- All recipes contain dried eggs and potatoes
- On the pricey side
- Relatively limited flavor varieties
What pet parents say about Applaws
"My kitty wouldn't touch any cat food on the market, I even cooked bone broth and organ meat for him but to no avail. Finally, someone suggested food with limited ingredients so I tried a few brands but my boy loved Applaws the best. We landed on this variety pack and their liquid chicken bone broth meal topper. He also loves boiled organic chicken breast as the main meal and I use these two Applaws products along with. I specifically love the fact that Applaws uses all natural ingredients and no fillers. A bit pricey but well worth it for a happy well fed kitty boy!"
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Applaws Natural Cat and Dog Food.
FAQ
What ingredients should I avoid when shopping for treats for a cat with food allergies?
What is hydrolyzed protein pet food, and how does it help with food allergies?
What are the signs of food allergies in cats?