Allergies are not quite an "easy" fix. The only way to to determine if you're allergic to something in your food is to go on an elimination diet where you eat one novel protein (something you've never had before) for three months because you can be allergic to certain proteins in addition to grains. And it takes that long for a food allergy to clear your system. If you're clear after that you can start adding in one new protein source at a time to see if anything sets you off. The best way to diagnose allergies is to eliminate all other possibilities. There are allergy tests but they're expensive and some vets don't feel that they're accurate. In any event, this is serious and will require a vet visit.

I've always said that while having your cat die before you is sad, dying before your cat is an even worse scenario. I like the idea of setting up a "trust fund" for Kitty -- and perhaps leaving specific instructions about what to do with Kitty in your will. On an entirely different note, a neighbor left a will specifying that his dog be euthanized should the neighbor predecease the dog -- which he did. I wouldn't go that route, but thinking of Kitty going to a shelter isn't such a pleasant thought, either.