A new food that reduces how allergic you may be to your cat?
Purina® Pro Plan® Announces Imminent Product Breakthrough in Management of Cat Allergens
Pro Plan LiveClear™ is first cat food shown to neutralize Fel d 1, the most common cat allergen
ST. LOUIS — Veterinarians can soon recommend a feline-friendly option in the management of cat allergens: Purina Pro Plan LiveClear, the first and only cat food that reduces the allergens in cat hair and dander. This breakthrough diet, available in April 2020, is the culmination of more than a decade of Purina research dedicated to finding a safe, effective way to address a problem that affects countless cat-owning households worldwide. With this groundbreaking approach, veterinarians can help enhance the quality of life for their patients and the families that love them.
Managing cat allergens is common conundrum
“Cat allergen management is a significant problem, with one in five adults worldwide sensitive to cat allergens,”1,2 explained Ebenezer Satyaraj, PhD, immunologist for Nestlé Purina Research and lead investigator on the research that led to the development of Pro Plan LiveClear. This can limit the interactions between owners and their cats, as current methods for managing cat allergens often include limiting the time or activities with the cat, isolating the cat in the home or removing the cat from the home altogether.
The protein Fel d 1 is the major cat allergen, causing responses in up to 95% of cat allergen-sensitive individuals.3,4 Fel d 1 is produced in the salivary and sebaceous glands of cats, transferred to the cat’s hair and skin during grooming and shed into the environment via hair and dander.4,5
“All cats produce Fel d 1, although the amount can vary widely between individual cats and fluctuate throughout the year,” 5-7 said Dr. Satyaraj, noting that, despite popular myths, no cats are hypoallergenic and all cats produce Fel d 1, regardless of breed, age, hair length, color, housing, sex or size.5-7
Pro Plan LiveClear gets to the source—the saliva
The Pro Plan LiveClear diet is formulated using a key protein sourced from eggs that contains an anti Fel d 1 antibody. When fed to cats, it reduces the levels of active Fel d 1 in a cat’s saliva that is transferred onto hair and dander during grooming, thus reducing the amount of allergen shed into the environment.8,9 In a published study, feeding the Pro Plan LiveClear diet was shown to significantly reduce the allergens in cat hair and dander by an average of 47%, starting in the third week of daily feeding.8 In this same study, 97% of cats exhibited a reduction of active Fel d 1 with individual variability.
“As the cat eats the kibble coated with the specific egg powder, it neutralizes Fel d 1 in the cat’s mouth,” Dr. Satyaraj explained, adding that, based on the principle of allergen load reduction, complete elimination of Fel d 1 is not necessary. “Rather than neutralizing 100% of the cat’s Fel d 1, or altering the cat’s production of the allergen, we’re simply lowering the levels to reduce the total allergen load in the hair and dander that is spread to the household.”8,9
He emphasized that feeding Pro Plan LiveClear is not intended to replace other allergen-reduction strategies but, rather, to add another measure that can help reduce the allergen burden in cat households.
Pro Plan LiveClear provides safe, cat-friendly approach to allergen reduction
Cat safety was a vital consideration for Purina in developing the Pro Plan LiveClear approach. “From the standpoint of the owner and the veterinarian, it is important to note that Pro Plan LiveClear neutralizes the major cat allergen without impacting the physiology of the cat,” explained Jason Gagné, DVM, DACVN, Purina Director of Veterinary Technical Communication. “Because scientists do not know precisely why cats produce Fel d 1, our goal was to neutralize the protein rather than inhibit its production. Meanwhile, a 6-month safety study proved that the egg product ingredient coating the LiveClear kibble is completely safe for the cat to eat.10 The ingredient’s action occurs in the mouth, but once swallowed, it is digested like any other protein.”
Purina Pro Plan LiveClear is a 100% complete and balanced dry cat food with outstanding taste and nutrition designed for daily feeding. The diet will be sold in veterinary clinics as well as online and pet specialty retail outlets in three formulas – Adult Chicken & Rice, Adult Salmon & Rice, and Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Turkey & Oat Meal.
About Purina Pro Plan
Purina Pro Plan is a leader in the advanced nutrition
category, with more than 70 formulas in dry and wet pet food to help meet a
variety of needs. Its science is backed by 500 Purina scientists globally,
including nutritionists, veterinarians and behaviorists, who continuously rethink
what nutrition can do. For more information, visit www.proplan.com or follow
@ProPlan on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. The brand is manufactured by
Nestlé Purina PetCare, which promotes responsible pet care, community
involvement, and the positive bond between people and their pets. A premiere
global manufacturer of pet products, Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of
Swiss-based Nestlé S.A., a global leader in nutrition, health, and wellness.
References:
- Bousquet PJ, Chinn S, Janson C, et al. (2007). Geographical variation in the prevalence of positive skin tests to environmental aeroallergens in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey I. Allergy, 62, 301-309. Doi: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2006.01293
- Zahradnik E, Raulf M. (2017). Respiratory allergens from furred mammals: environmental and occupational exposure. Veterinary Sciences, 4, 38. Doi: 10.3390/vetsci4030038
- Dávila I, Dominguez-Ortega J, Navarro-Pulido A, et al. (2018). Consensus document on dog and cat allergy. Allergy, 73(6), 1206-1222. Doi: 10.1111/all.13391
- Bonnet B, Messaoudi K, Jacomet F, et al. (2018). An update on molecular cat allergens: Fel d 1 and what else? Chapter 1: Fel d 1, the major cat allergen. Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology, 14, 14. Doi: 10.1186/s13223-018-0239-8
- Kelly SM, Karsh J, Marcelo J, et al (2018). Fel d 1 and Fel d4 levels in cat fur, saliva and urine. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 142, 1990-1992.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2018.07.033
- Butt A, Rashid D, Lockey RF. (2012). Do hypoallergenic dogs and cats exist? Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 108, 74-76. Doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2011.12.005
- Nicholas C, Wegienka G, Havstad S, et al. (2008). Influence of cat characteristics on Fel d 1 levels in the home. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 101, 47-50.
- Satyaraj E, Gardner C, Filipi, I, et al. (2019). Reduction of active Fel d1 from cats using an antiFel d1 egg IgY antibody. Immunity, inflammation and disease, 7(2), 68–73. doi:10.1002/iid3.244
- Satyaraj, E., Li, Q., Sun, P. & Sherrill, S. (2019). Anti-Fel d 1 immunoglobulin Y antibody-containing egg ingredient lowers allergen levels in cat saliva. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 21(10), 875-881. doi: 10.1177/1098612X19861218
- Matulka, R. A., Thompson, L., & Corley, D. (2019). Multi-level safety studies of anti Fel d 1 IgY ingredient in cat food. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 6, 477. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00477
Any side effects to this cat food, specifically the cat having matted areas for their fur?
Not that I know of! I would try to groom your cat more to prevent the matts as it’s really painful to their skin. The allergy reduction is from the mouth/salivary glands directly – not the fur.
Is this product FDA/CVM approved?
Great question – pet food products are not FDA approved. However, FDA ensures that the ingredients used in pet food are safe and have an appropriate function in the pet food. Many ingredients such as meat, poultry and grains are considered safe and do not require pre-market approval. This isn’t a drug – it just decreases FelD1 production from the salivary glands from cats to decrease the amount produced.
https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-food-feeds/pet-food#:~:text=There%20is%20no%20requirement%20that,not%20require%20pre%2Dmarket%20approval.
have just bought a bag, my four seem to love it and will certainly get another bag. Have only found one place that sells it – anyway keep trying
Is there a grain free option in the works? My cats are allergic to grain, makes their skin red and itchy.
Cats are rarely allergic to grain. When they do have a food allergy, it’s usually the protein that causes that. I would talk to a veterinarian. This food does not reduce allergies in cats. It reduces how allergic humans are to cats.
I have found that since putting my two cats on this food, they are not constantly scratching or licking themselves excessively.
That’s great! But it’s more for human allergies to make you less allergic! But added benefit! 🙂
My cat eats a special prescription diet for urinary tract health. Will this egg protein be available as a supplement to add to any food? Or are there plans to expand the current product line to specialty foods?
Try the live clear dry shampoo!
I have 2 cats. I started them on live clear about 5 weeks ago.
Since then one or both have been urinating on my clothes..luggage..weird places. They never did this before. Any suggestions or anyone else finding this an issue?
Doesn’t sound like it’s related – it sounds like FLUTD. Please see my blog on that here:
https://drjustinelee.com/what-is-flutd-in-cats-dr-justine-lee/
I had a pet cat up until 1985 when my allergic reaction (asthma) landed me in the hospital for 3 days. I’d love to have a cat again and am wondering about the efficacy of this new food. Has there been longitudinal data collected on how pet owners have fared?
This is really interesting to me. I grew up being very allergic to cats. Just being near one cat would make my eyes water and itch, make me really sneezy, and basically feeling miserable.
The first time I met my wife’s parents (before we were married), I spent a week at their home and they had four cats. The first 3-4 days were horrible. My eyes and throat itched horribly. My nose was stuffy. I almost wished I was dead. But about four days in, I suddenly got better. And to this day, I no longer have allergic reactions around cats. I am no medical professional so I know this won’t be everyone’s outcome, but for me, wow, it seems like massive exposure to cats cured me of the allergy!
We started using Free and Clear a little over a year ago.
In April our older cat had a small growth on his lower jaw about the size of a small pea. Within a few weeks the growth had more than tripled in size. Since the growth was attached to his jaw it was inoperable His condition deteriorated and had to be put down on the 4th of May.
Now our 6 year old spayed cat has a mass on her right upper nipple which is also growing at an alarming rate started as the size of a bb a couple weeks ago and now the size of a apricot pit. We are having all her mammary glands removed as soon as possible to stop the growth and hopefully the spread.
I was wondering if anyone else has had a cat get cancer after starting on Free and Clear? I am not saying Free and Clear has any connection to cancer and the aggressive growths but would like to know if there may be a connection.
Hi Justine,
Have your patients had beneficial effects in their allergies from this food?
If you have time, I’d also be interested in your take on this review: https://www.walkervillevet.com.au/blog/purina-allergy-cat-food-review