10 Best Cat Foods for Allergies in Australia — 2025 Reviews & Top Picks
By Brooke Bundy
Updated on
Besides the usual allergy signs of wheezing, coughing, and sneezing, things such as itchy skin, GI upset, and bald patches can all be signs of allergies in cats. It can be incredibly frustrating to try to figure out what exactly is ailing your cat since the trigger could be environmental, dietary, or even an extreme allergic reaction to fleas. Besides flea prevention and eliminating any known irritants from your house, there’s really nothing else you can do for environmental allergies except to ask your veterinarian to prescribe medication.
Typically, though, your vet will want to rule out a food allergy first since it’s easier to determine and treat. If your vet thinks food allergies may be to blame, they’ll likely recommend a limited ingredient diet that eliminates chicken, beef, fish, and/or dairy, the most common culprits1 of food allergies in cats. If you live in Australia, here are the ten best cat foods for allergies that are free of some or all of these ingredients.
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A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2025
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall |
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ZiwiPeak Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb Recipe Cat Food |
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Best Value |
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Taste of the Wild Prey Turkey Recipe |
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Premium Choice |
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Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Real Duck Pate Canned Cat F |
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Best for Kittens |
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ZiwiPeak Canned Venison Recipe Cat Food |
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Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Adult |
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The 10 Best Cat Foods for Allergies in Australia
1. ZiwiPeak Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb Recipe Cat Food – Best Overall
Main ingredients | Mackerel, Lamb, Lamb Heart, Lamb Tripe, Lamb Liver |
Protein content | 43% |
Fat content | 25% |
Calories | 4,800 kcal/kg |
Of all the foods on our list, ZiwiPeak Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb is our best overall choice for cat foods for allergies in Australia. It can be challenging to find a special diet featuring limited, wholesome ingredients, but this one fits the bill. Since it’s formulated for all life stages, you won’t have to hunt for a new formula as your cat ages.
Mussels and meats comprise 96% of the ingredients in this recipe. There is no corn, wheat, soy, potatoes, or meat meals, ensuring your cat receives a mostly carnivorous diet that they were created for. Additionally, mackerel and lamb are the only two meat sources, which is a plus if you’re avoiding common allergens such as chicken or beef. Of course, this wouldn’t be the formula for you if your cat is allergic to fish since mackerel is one of the main ingredients. The air-drying process retains more nutrients than conventional kibble processing methods, such as roasting at super-high temperatures.
You’ll pay a little more for Ziwi than standard cat food. However, we actually expected it would cost even more than it does considering Ziwi doesn’t take the typical shortcuts such as using filler ingredients and cheaper cuts of meat like most cat food brands.
- Formulated for all life stages
- Limited ingredients
- Mackerel and lamb are the only two meat proteins
- Air-dried instead of roasted at high temperatures
- More expensive than the average bag of cat food
- Not an option for cats who are allergic to fish
2. Taste of the Wild Prey Turkey Recipe for Cats – Best Value
Main ingredients | Turkey, Lentils, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil |
Protein content | 33% |
Fat content | 15% |
Calories | 3,689 kcal/kg |
Tasty turkey gives your cat a feast any day of the week. Since it’s formulated for all life stages, you can begin feeding Taste of the Wild Prey to your kitten as soon as they’re weaned with no worries of having to find another formula down the road. We think it’s the best cat food for allergies in Australia for the money.
As our best value choice, this recipe is a high-quality kibble that features limited ingredients and adds five types of beneficial probiotics after cooking to encourage optimal gut health. We’re not a super big fan of the high amount of lentils since cats mostly need meat, but it’s normal to have higher amounts of plant-based ingredients in budget-friendly food. While this food does avoid some common allergens such as dairy, fish, and beef, it’s important to note that although this is predominantly a turkey recipe, it does contain chicken fat, so it wouldn’t be a good choice for a cat with poultry sensitivities.
- Five types of probiotics added after the food is cooked
- Turkey is the main ingredient
- No dairy, fish, or beef
- AAFCO-certified for all life stages
- Contains chicken fat
- High amount of lentils
3. Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Real Duck Cat Food – Premium Choice
Main ingredients | Deboned Duck, Water for Processing, Natural Flavor, Pea Protein, Calcium Carbonate |
Protein content | 8% |
Fat content | 4% |
Calories | 928 kcal/kg |
Our premium choice truly eliminates all known cat allergens. Duck is the only meat protein in this limited ingredient diet. While we usually don’t prefer peas as one of the main ingredients, the pea protein in this wet food substitutes for some of the typical ingredients your cat may be allergic to, such as extra meat proteins like chicken, fish, or beef.
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-free Real Duck Pate is AAFCO-certified for all life stages, so your kitty will be ready to dig into this premium plate any time after they’re weaned.
Wet foods like this one are more expensive than kibbles as a general rule. However, they’re fantastic options for kitties with sensitive stomachs since they’re typically more palatable and easier to process than dry food.
- Duck is the only meat protein
- Pea protein adds a vegan source of protein that’s safe for your cat’s allergies
- AAFCO-certified for all life stages
- Wet food is easier to digest, making it a suitable choice for cats with sensitive tummies
- More expensive than kibble
4. ZiwiPeak Canned Venison Recipe Cat Food – Best for Kittens
Main ingredients | Venison, Venison Broth, Venison Tripe, Venison Liver, Chickpeas |
Protein content | 10% |
Fat content | 4% |
Calories | 1,200 kcal/kg |
ZiwiPeak Canned Venison Recipe is formulated for all life stages so there’s no need to switch as your kitten grows up. Plus, this wet food recipe has some extra perks exclusively for kittens. Typically, a soft formula such as this pate, makes an easier transition from milk to solid food than kibbles. Of course, every cat has personal preferences, so there’s a chance your kitten might want to jump into dry food instead.
Venison is the only meat in this recipe. Additionally, there are no other known allergens such as dairy or wheat. If you or your vet suspect a common food allergy, your kitten should be safe on this formula.
We usually don’t promote chickpeas as one of the main ingredients, since there may be a potential link between peas and other legumes in dog and cat foods and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). However, they don’t bother us too badly in this instance since they’re one of the only plant-based ingredients in the mix. These claims are also still being investigated. You may wish to talk to your vet if you have any concerns about this.
- Formulated for all life stages
- Eases your kitty’s transition to whole food more comfortably than kibbles
- Venison is the only meat protein
- Avoids common allergens such as chicken, beef, dairy, fish, and wheat
- Chickpeas are one of the main ingredients
5. Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Cat Food
Main ingredients | Chicken, Brewer’s Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Chicken Fat |
Protein content | 29% |
Fat content | 17% |
Calories | 4,800 kcal/kg |
If your cat is okay with chicken, they may benefit from this sensitive stomach and skin formula. This food is another good choice for adult cats suffering from stomach or skin issues. Brewer’s rice is known to be gentle on the digestive system, and oat fiber and added prebiotic fibers boost your cat’s gut health.
While it’s free from fish and beef, you should know that this food does contain other common cat allergens such as chicken and dairy, as well as controversial cheap ingredients such as corn and soy. It’s not exactly a limited ingredient diet, but it can help if you’re looking for a vet-approved, relatively low-cost food with a single protein source.
- Chicken is the only meat protein
- Added oat fiber and prebiotic fibers support gut health
- Contains several cat allergens such as dairy and chicken
- Meets the nutritional requirements for adults only
- Contains controversial corn and soy
6. Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Sea-Licious Salmon & Cod
Main ingredients | Salmon with Ground Bone, Cod with Ground Bone, Cod Liver Oil, Pumpkin Seeds, Potassium |
Protein content | 45% |
Fat content | 28% |
Calories | 4,460 kcal/kg |
You can feed Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Sea-Licious Salmon and Cod Cat Dinner to any cat at any age, but it will be especially beneficial to felines who need a limited ingredient diet. Salmon and cod are the only meat proteins, and pumpkin is the sole vegetable. We’re happy about this choice because pumpkin can actually help settle your cat’s upset tummy in moderate amounts. As long as your cat isn’t allergic to fish, salmon and cod are excellent choices of protein that are also rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Probiotics are added for even more digestive benefits and can also influence your cat’s skin in a positive way.
This freeze-dried food is probably one of the most nutritious on the list, especially since the process preserves more vitamins and minerals naturally than conventional methods of preparing kibble. However, as we expected, this food carries a heavier price tag than normal cat food.
- Salmon and cod are the only meat proteins
- Pumpkin and probiotics are helpful ingredients for sensitive stomachs
- Freeze-drying preserves more nutrients than conventional methods
- More expensive than typical cat food
7. Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Wet Cat Food
Main ingredients | Turkey, Turkey Broth, Turkey Liver, Peas, Pea Protein |
Protein content | 5% |
Fat content | 7% |
Calories | 1,266 kcal/kg |
This limited ingredient diet is crafted without common allergens such as chicken, beef, or fish. Turkey is featured as the sole meat protein that your cat is sure to savor. Peas are the only vegetable ingredient, which is good news considering cats are obligate carnivores. However, we wish it were swapped with something a little more nutritious and not so carb-heavy, such as pumpkin or cranberries.
Cats of all ages may eat this food, but you might want to consult your vet first if you have a senior cat. Due to the high protein content and a moderately high amount of fat, this food might not be the best choice for more sedentary or older cats who need help regulating their weight.
- Formulated for all life stages
- Only one vegetable ingredient
- Turkey is a safe, allergy-friendly protein
- Contains a lot of peas
- May not be the best fit for senior cats
8. “I and love and you” Nude Super Food Limited Ingredient for Cats
Main ingredients | Turkey, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Pea Protein, Chicken Fat |
Protein content | 44% |
Fat content | 18% |
Calories | 3,732 kcal/kg |
We’re a fan of the superfoods, prebiotics, and probiotics that can all help tame your kitty’s inflammation. Flaxseed, coconut oil, and olive oil are all excellent anti-inflammatory ingredients that provide your cat with natural sources of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Turkey is the first ingredient, but this Nude Super Food also contains chicken and fish. The chicken and turkey meat meals aren’t our top choice, as they’re less expensive meat products that companies use to keep their prices low.
We wouldn’t exactly call this a limited ingredient diet, especially considering all the heavily starched vegetables such as peas, chickpeas, red lentils, and sweet potatoes further down the list. However, we’re happy to see that this food doesn’t contain any beef, so it’s great if your cat is allergic to beef and nothing else. This food is formulated for all life stages for your cat to enjoy at any age.
- Turkey is the main ingredient
- Prebiotics and probiotics promote gut health
- Flaxseed, coconut oil, and olive oil are a good source of Omega 3s and 6s
- Formulated for all life stages
- Doesn’t contain beef
- Uses cheaper meat meals instead of whole cuts of meat
- Contains several starchy vegetables
9. Tiki Cat Aloha Friends Grain-Free Wet Food for Adult Cats & Kittens
Main ingredients | Tuna, Tuna Broth, Pumpkin, Sunflower Seed Oil, Calcium Lactate |
Protein content | 11% |
Fat content | 8% |
Calories | 744 kcal/kg |
You can let your cat feast on tuna even when they’re not on vacation with this limited ingredient food by Tiki. Free from every common cat allergen except for fish, you don’t have to worry about your cat ingesting chicken, beef, or dairy, and pumpkin is the only vegetable, which is great for their digestive system. Carrageenan is an additive commonly found in wet cat foods as a thickener. However, it can cause GI inflammation1 and some felines are even allergic to it, so thankfully this recipe leaves it out. All cats of any age can enjoy this allergy-friendly recipe since it’s formulated for all life stages.
The only problem is that wet food isn’t cheap, which can certainly put a damper on your own vacation budget. Also, this formula doesn’t include a taurine supplement, so it might behoove you to give one to your cat separately. We’re actually surprised that there isn’t any added taurine because it’s an essential nutrient that cats can’t make on their own. However, taurine is found naturally in tuna, so this food does contain at least a marginal amount.
- Tuna is the only meat protein
- Pumpkin is a tummy-friendly vegetable
- No carrageenan
- Formulated for all life stages
- Expensive
- No added taurine
10. Blue Buffalo True Solutions Perfect Coat, Skin & Coat Care
Main ingredients | Deboned Salmon, Salmon Meal, Brown Rice, Pea Protein, Barley |
Protein content | 32% |
Fat content | 15% |
Calories | 3,714 kcal/kg |
If your cat can tolerate fish, we recommend this Dry Cat Food by Blue Buffalo. Salmon is a good source of Omega 3s which can lower your cat’s inflammation, and the prebiotics and probiotics support a healthy gut. We wish the salmon meal wasn’t the second ingredient since it’s a cheaper, more processed meat than whole salmon, but we know that’s one reason why this food is a budget-friendly option.
While there aren’t any chicken or beef ingredients, there are a bunch of grains, peas, and potatoes, which makes this recipe not the ideal meal for every cat. Additionally, this recipe is only formulated for adults.
- Salmon is the only meat ingredient
- Budget-friendly
- Prebiotics and probiotics are beneficial for sensitive cats
- Good source of Omega 3s
- Contains lots of peas and potatoes
- Salmon meal is the second ingredient
- Not formulated for kittens or seniors
Buyer’s Guide — Buying the Best Cat Foods for Allergies in Australia
What Makes Cat Food Allergy-Friendly?
If you suspect your cat has an allergy, your veterinarian should be the first person you should go to for advice. Like humans, felines can have environmental or food allergies, and it can be hard to tell which one is the cause at first. Additionally, allergies can develop slowly over time, so even if your cat has always been exposed to a certain type of tree or has always chowed down on chicken, they could still become allergic at some point in their lives.
A limited-ingredient diet that steers clear of the most common allergens is the easiest way to determine what type of allergy is ailing your cat. Beef, chicken, fish, and dairy are the biggest culprits in cat food allergies. Corn, soy, and wheat are less likely to be an issue, but are still on the table as possible problems. However, be careful if you choose a grain-free diet. Peas often replace oats and wheat in grain-free diets, and cats don’t need so many carbohydrates since they are obligate carnivores and most of their nutrients should come from meat. It’s best to find a grain-free cat food that uses pumpkin instead of peas, lentils, or potatoes. Pumpkin is great for sensitive tummies and isn’t loaded with carbs.
Make sure to note what type of cat the food is intended for. Some cat foods are only recommended for maintenance, which is another way of saying it’s formulated for healthy adult cats. While it won’t hurt your kitten to eat adult food, the formula won’t meet their growth and development needs. Conversely, adult cats can eat kitten food, but it typically contains more calories than they require. Senior diets typically contain lower amounts of protein and fat since they’re becoming more sedentary and prone to obesity and kidney issues. It’s best to pick a food that’s formulated for all life stages, or find a formula that’s recommended for your cat’s age.
Our Cat Foods for Allergies in Australia Selection Process
When it comes to selecting products, Hepper has a committed team of writers and editors who work closely with licensed veterinarians to find the very best in today’s market. Together, they consider customer feedback, brand reputation, veterinary expertise, and whenever possible, hands-on testing. We aim to select and review the highest-quality products to help you make informed choices that meet both your and your pet’s needs.
Why Trust Hepper?
Since 2007, Hepper has been a trusted and growing online brand and resource with the edge of creating and retailing our own line of cat furniture, toys, and gear, and pet consumables, giving us valuable insights into how to choose cat foods for all allergies. Our driven team of pet-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians is dedicated to empowering our readers to make the best decisions for their animal companions. Our priority lies in providing top-notch information and recommendations. Our team is genuinely invested in the health and well-being of all pets worldwide, believing that expert knowledge is crucial for achieving this goal.
Conclusion
Our best overall choice, ZiwiPeak Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb, contains 96% meat and mussels. Ziwi uses an air-drying method to preserve the food, so more nutrients are preserved than standard kibble. There’s no chicken, beef, or dairy, but of course it does contain fish. Taste of the Wild Prey Turkey Recipe delivers a limited ingredient kibble that’s packed with probiotics for a low price, which is why it’s our best value option. If you really want to eliminate all known allergens, our premium choice Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-free Real Duck Pate, uses duck as the sole protein and contains very few ingredients overall.
Determining your cat’s allergies can be challenging, but these recipes eliminate at least one of the four common allergens. Some of the best recipes, such as our premium choice, don’t include any known allergens. However, there are very few of these recipes since cats are usually allergic to a popularly used ingredient. Additionally, not all cats need restricted diets, and restricted diets can be more expensive than standard cat food. Ask your vet to see what they recommend for your cat as you begin your search for the food that works best for them.
Featured Image Credit: Patrick Foto, Shutterstock