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My kitten has itchy skin. Is it chicken food? What non-chicken options?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | spayed | 5 months and 20 days old | 11 lbs

Lovebug is dealing with allergies right now. She is eating chicken based foods and I don't know if it's the chicken or another ingredient in the food that is making her neck face and lower back itchy. Its hard to find a turkey KITTEN food anywhere that is decently healthy. I was wondering about making homeade food for her....what would be a good recipe to feed her, that involves turkey or anything but chicken? Thank you for all the help!:)

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on August 3rd, 2017

This is probably due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites.
First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment (advocate or advantage), then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation.
If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy.
Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc).
Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics).
Having said that, in terms of diets, exclusion diets are probably the best way to rule out certain allergens (what triggers the allergic reaction). Exclusion diets are made with one source of proteins (turkey, venison, salmon etc etc) and one of carbohydrates (usually potatoes or peas). These diets and ABSOLUTELY nothing else must be given for 4 weeks at least. I would recommend to discuss their use with your vet rather than try an home made diet (which is very difficult to be effective).
Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 21st, 2019

    Hi, and thanks for your question. This could be due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment, then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

    Vote Icon

    2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 15th, 2016

    That could be due to flea infestation and secondary generalized allergic reaction. Mites or bacterial infections are possible as well.
    First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment (advocate or advantage), then get her to the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation.

 If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try discovering the cause of the allergy.


    Hopefully you will see some results after all this, if not you and your vet should consider starting on a long term allergy treatment.

    Vote Icon

    2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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