How does an elimination diet work?

An elimination diet is recommended for cats experiencing gastrointestinal issues or skin problems. This diet involves feeding your cat a specific diet for a certain period, usually limiting the protein sources to one or using a hypoallergenic diet. By reducing the food ingredients to a select few, you can help manage your cat's health issues. If you have specific questions about harmful foods or proper cat nutrition, consult with your veterinarian or reach out to a pet hospital for guidance.

An elimination diet involves feeding your dog a specific food that eliminates all potential allergens. These diets usually involve hydrolyzed protein or amino acid level foods and are prescription made by a company. After feeding this diet for eight to 12 weeks, you reevaluate the dog's condition. If symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or itchiness have cleared up, then you know the food trial was a success. After that, you start to reintroduce one ingredient at a time to see if your dog reacts to it.