11 year old cat scratching and licking his fur off

[jmelao]

I have read other questions a responses but my cat Corky, is 11 years old, he's been tested for mange, fleas, ringworm, he has none of those.He was tested for allergies and was found that he is allergic to grains. I have switched their food to grain free but he is still licking and I found a new spot where he has licked the fur off. It has only been a month since I have switched,should I wait longer to see results of the grain free food? They do eat from a plastic automatic feeder and water dish, should I switch?

[BluCrystal]

Stainless steel is the best food container for your pets.it does not 'hold' bacteria like other bowls can.  Make sure you wash the bowls daily, and that the food bowl is all the way dry before adding more food.  If your cat is going outside, he could be picking up allergens out there.  I think you should keep him inside, at least most of the time.  And ask your vet if a daily dose of Benadryl would be good for him.  Blessings - Blu

[opus88]

yes definitely switch away from the plastic......use metal or ceramic!!!

and yes it does take awhile, perhaps more than a month to notice a difference.
also try some omega3 fatty acids(krill Oil) in the food, this is marvelous for skin issues. comes in a capsule, open the capsule and squirt into the food or directly in their mouths or even on a paw ans they will lick it off. I will give you the names of some of the very best for use with cats...must not contain any sugar, salt, wheat, gluten, corn, soy or preservatives...heres where I order from b/c I can't obtain them locally.

http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Neptune-Krill-Oil-500-mg-60-Softgels/14424

http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Way-EfaGold-Krill-Oil-500-mg-60-Softgels/1984

http://www.iherb.com/Jarrow-Formulas-Krill-Oil-60-Softgels/250

the grain free dry food you are feeding still has lots of preservatives and chemicals, if you can possibly switch to a grain free canned food...but do the transition slowly so not to cause a GI upset. I will send you a great site, this Vet knows tons abt cat nutrition.
On the right hand side of her article you can click on several links...
-transitioning dry food addicts to canned food
also
-commercial cat food. (this one will name all the good grain free canned foods on the market)

http://www.catinfo.org/

good luck, keep posting and we can try and help♥