Most cats with food allergies react to specific proteins, most commonly chicken, although fish and beef can also cause problems.
Hydrolysed protein diets are designed to avoid these reactions. The protein is broken down into very small components, so the immune system is less likely to recognise it as a trigger.
Vets often recommend hydrolysed diets for cats with more severe or persistent symptoms. To be effective, the diet needs to be followed strictly, with no other foods or treats given.
While there are fewer hydrolysed options available in the UK compared to standard cat foods, many cats do very well on these diets and accept them readily.
Hydrolysed Dry Cat Foods (UK)
| Food | Protein Source | Main Carb | Notes | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d | Chicken liver hydrolysate | Rice | Widely used veterinary diet | View on zooplus |
| Royal Canin Anallergenic | Feather hydrolysate | Maize | Very low molecular weight protein | View on zooplus |
| Purina Pro Plan HA | Hydrolysed soya protein | Rice | A non-meat protein source | View on zooplus |
| Advance Hypoallergenic | Hydrolysed soya protein | Maize | Another soy-based option | View on zooplus |
| Specific FDD-HY | Hydrolysed salmon protein | Rice | Fish-based hydrolysed diet | View on Viovet |
Hydrolysed Wet Cat Foods (UK)
| Food | Protein Source | Main Carb | Notes | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d (wet) | Chicken liver hydrolysate | Maize | One of the few wet options | View on zooplus |
| Specific FOW-HY | Hydrolysed salmon protein | Rice | Alternative wet option | View on Viovet |
Things to be aware of
- Most hydrolysed diets use carbohydrate bases such as rice or maize
- Protein sources vary (chicken, soy, fish, feather), but are broken down to reduce the chance of a reaction
- Wet options are limited in the UK
Choosing the right option
The best choice often depends on your cat’s history and what they are willing to eat.
If one hydrolysed diet doesn’t work, another may still be worth trying. Some cats respond better to one type of hydrolysed protein than another.
If hydrolysed diets aren’t suitable or well accepted, an alternative approach is to try a novel protein diet.