Dog Food Nutrition

Best Limited Ingredient Dog Food

November 8, 2023

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Best Limited Ingredient Dog Food

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It’s completely normal for your dog to scratch once in a while—we all do it. But if your dog seems to be scratching frequently or if you notice other symptoms like dry skin or hair loss, it could be something more than just the occasional itch. Nothing is worse than seeing your dog suffer, and food allergies can cause some pretty bad reactions in some dogs.

Dog food allergies are more common than you might realize, and they could be linked to a surprising cause: your dog’s diet. Food allergies in dogs typically present with skin-related symptoms, which can be a little bit confusing at first.

Keep reading to learn more about your dog’s basic dietary needs and to receive some tips for picking the best limited-intensity dog food to meet those needs.

You’ll also receive our top 10 picks for the best hypoallergenic dog food.

Compare Best Limited Ingredient Dog Food

OVERALL BEST
FirstMate Grain-Free LID Australian Lamb Formula

1. FirstMate Grain-Free LID Australian Lamb Formula

BEST AFFORDABLE
The Honest Kitchen Limited Ingredient Diet Duck Recipe Grain-Free Dehydrated Dog Food

2. The Honest Kitchen Limited Ingredient Diet Duck Recipe Grain-Free Dehydrated Dog Food

BEST FOR SENIORS
NUTRO Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Dry Dog Food

3. NUTRO Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Dry Dog Food

BEST HIGH-PROTEIN
BLUE Basics Limited-Ingredient Formula Adult Dry Dog Food

4. BLUE Basics Limited-Ingredient Formula Adult Dry Dog Food

BEST FOR ALLERGIES
Canidae Grain Free Pure Dry Dog Food

5. Canidae Grain Free Pure Dry Dog Food

MOST POPULAR
Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food

6. Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food

BEST FOR LARGE & SMALL BREEDS
Nulo Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

7. Nulo Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

BEST FOR SKIN ALLERGIES AND SENSITIVITIES
Nature's Variety Instinct Ultimate Protein Grain Free Recipe Natural Dry Dog

8. Nature's Variety Instinct Ultimate Protein Grain Free Recipe Natural Dry Dog

BEST FOR SMALL BREEDS
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food - Sweet Potato & Fish Formula

9. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food - Sweet Potato & Fish Formula

BEST GRAIN FREE
Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Salmon & Whitefish Recipe

10. Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Salmon & Whitefish Recipe

Protein
24% Min
Protein
24% Min
Protein
20% Min
Protein
20% Min
Protein
32.0% Min
Protein
29.0% Min
Protein
30% Min
Protein
47% Min
Protein
24% Min
Protein
24% Min
Fat
13% Min
Fat
14% Min
Fat
14% Min
Fat
12% Min
Fat
18.0% Min
Fat
14.0% Min
Fat
16% Min
Fat
17% Min
Fat
10% Min
Fat
14% Min
Fiber
7.5% Max
Fiber
6% Max
Fiber
3.5% Max
Fiber
6% Max
Fiber
4.0% Max
Fiber
5.0% Max
Fiber
4.5% Max
Fiber
3% Max
Fiber
4% Max
Fiber
3.5% Max
Calories
505 kcal/cup
Calories
506 kcal/cup
Calories
475 kcal/cup
Calories
352 kcal/cup
Calories
509 kcal/cup
Calories
450 kcal/cup
Calories
424 kcal/cup
Calories
491 kcal/cup
Calories
350 kcal/cup
Calories
3600 kcal/kg, 381 kcal/cup

How Do You Choose the Best Limited-Ingredient Dog Food?

The best place to start is a natural dog food recipe made with fewer ingredients.

You can look for the word “natural” or “organic” on the label, but keep in mind that claims on pet food packaging are not as closely regulated as for human food, so take these claims with a grain of salt.

For most dogs with allergies, this might mean cutting out or reducing the amount of grain. Fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, and legumes are all good options. You should also make sure that the recipe contains plenty of fiber and probiotics to ensure smooth digestion.

To avoid triggering an allergy, a limited-ingredient diet is a good idea.

You can also try a food trial with your veterinarian; you should know with some degree of certainty which ingredients trigger your dog’s food allergy.

Keep reading to see our top 10 recommendations for the best limited ingredient.

Best Rated Limited Ingredient Dog Food Reviewed

After finalizing the kind of limited diet option you want to feed your pet, the next step is to choose the most reliable options available on the market. Therefore, we make this job easier for you by suggesting some of the items below.

OVERALL BEST
1.

FirstMate Grain-Free LID Australian Lamb Formula

Product Info

  • Protein: 24% Min
  • Fat: 13% Min
  • Fiber: 7.5% Max
  • Calories: 505 kcal/cup
Pros
  • Limited number of main ingredients
  • Single source of high-quality animal protein
  • Digestible grain-free carbohydrates
Cons
  • Very expensive to feed as a staple diet
If you’re looking for the best hypoallergenic dog food out there, this FirstMate Grain-Free LID Lamb Formula is on the list.

It is a limited ingredient diet made with 78% animal ingredients and 22% vegetables and supplements.

It features protein-rich lamb as a single source of novel protein with potatoes for digestible carbohydrates. This recipe is supplemented with glucosamine for healthy joints with chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption.
BEST AFFORDABLE
2.

The Honest Kitchen Limited Ingredient Diet Duck Recipe Grain-Free Dehydrated Dog Food

Product Info

  • Protein: 24% Min
  • Fat: 14% Min
  • Fiber: 6% Max
  • Calories: 506 kcal/cup
Pros
  • Made with a limited number of human-grade ingredients
  • Contains novel sources of protein and carbohydrates
  • Highly digestible and rich in essential fatty acids
Cons
  • Some dogs dislike the texture of reconstituted dried food
If your dog suffers from skin allergies, it is important to find a dog food made with a limited number of high-quality ingredients.

This Honest Kitchen Limited Ingredient Duck Recipe is an excellent choice because it contains just a handful of human-grade ingredients freeze-dried to preserve their nutritional content.

This recipe is completely grain-free, highly digestible, and packed with healthy fats for skin and coat support.
BEST FOR SENIORS
3.

NUTRO Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Dry Dog Food

Product Info

  • Protein: 20% Min
  • Fat: 14% Min
  • Fiber: 3.5% Max
  • Calories: 475 kcal/cup
Pros
  • Novel protein, chicken-free, and limited number of ingredients
  • Highly digestible with grain-free carbohydrates
  • Supplemented with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
Cons
  • Not popular with some really picky eaters
This recipe is made for dogs that prefer small kibbles. It uses less than ten ingredients and natural flavors, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

The ingredients cause sensitivities in dogs like chicken, corn, beef, and dairy. It has high-quality Australian-New Zealand lamb and real sweet potatoes.

This grain-free dog food not only tastes great but also nourishes sensitive skin for a soft and shiny coat. Additionally, it is always made with non-GMO ingredients. Therefore, there are no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives are added.
BEST HIGH-PROTEIN
4.

BLUE Basics Limited-Ingredient Formula Adult Dry Dog Food

Product Info

  • Protein: 20% Min
  • Fat: 12% Min
  • Fiber: 6% Max
  • Calories: 352 kcal/cup
Pros
  • High protein content
  • Supplemented with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
  • Highly digestible recipe and supplemented with probiotics
Cons
  • Change in formula caused some dogs to develop digestive problems
  • Some reviewers complained about toxic levels of lead in the food
This limited ingredient recipe is for dogs with allergies. It is a delicious, limited-ingredient diet made from fewer ingredients.

It may prove helpful for dogs with food sensitivities. Furthermore, all the recipes of this brand come with real meat from a single animal protein source. The protein source comes with fruits and vegetables, like pumpkin and easily digestible carbohydrates.
BEST FOR ALLERGIES
5.

Canidae Grain Free Pure Dry Dog Food

Product Info

  • Protein: 32.0% Min
  • Fat: 18.0% Min
  • Fiber: 4.0% Max
  • Calories: 509 kcal/cup
Pros
  • Easy digestion with no stool problems
  • Excellent for sensitive stomachs
  • High energy levels
Cons
  • Some reviewers found bugs in their package
  • Not very popular with a few picky eaters
The dog food of this brand uses simple recipes that are fit for sensitive dogs. Each limited ingredient diet is made with 7–10 ingredients that are easily recognizable.

So, even if your dog isn’t sensitive to ingredients, it will love the taste. It will also benefit from the nutritional value.

The formula is made from fresh meat or fish (There are a few variations of the recipe). They are then paired with whole ingredients like sweet potatoes, peas, lentils, or chickpeas.
MOST POPULAR
6.

Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food

Product Info

  • Protein: 29.0% Min
  • Fat: 14.0% Min
  • Fiber: 5.0% Max
  • Calories: 450 kcal/cup
Pros
  • No more licking or itching problems
  • Good option for senior dogs
  • Big kibble but easily chewable
Cons
  • Some dogs suffer from poop problems
  • Less popular with very picky eaters
The Wellness limited dry dog food is a healthy and natural limited-ingredient dog food for allergy-prone adult dogs with food sensitivities, allergies or ingredient intolerances.

They keep it simple by balancing a single source of protein along with easily digestible carbohydrates.

There are no extra fillers, additives, meat by-products, wheat, corn, dairy, eggs, artificial preservatives, colors or flavors. Furthermore, the limited ingredient recipe is from salmon and peas.
BEST FOR LARGE & SMALL BREEDS
7.

Nulo Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Product Info

  • Protein: 30% Min
  • Fat: 16% Min
  • Fiber: 4.5% Max
  • Calories: 424 kcal/cup
Pros
  • Several sources of novel animal protein
  • Digestible grain-free carbohydrates
  • Supplemented with probiotics
Cons
  • Fairly expensive to feed as a staple diet
This recipe is a low-carb, protein-rich formula with added Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. The recipe also contains added probiotics for healthy digestion. Furthermore, the primary ingredients include lamb, chickpeas, salmon, peas and sweet potatoes. The kibble size is also perfect for both small and large sized dogs.
BEST FOR SKIN ALLERGIES AND SENSITIVITIES
8.

Nature's Variety Instinct Ultimate Protein Grain Free Recipe Natural Dry Dog

Product Info

  • Protein: 47% Min
  • Fat: 17% Min
  • Fiber: 3% Max
  • Calories: 491 kcal/cup
Pros
  • Made with novel protein and limited number of ingredients
  • Grain-free to reduce the risk for skin allergies and sensitivities
  • Contains a blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin health
Cons
  • Above average in cost compared to other brands
This is a limited-ingredient diet for dogs that are sensitive to peas. Moreover, the recipe offers a high-quality meat protein.

It is packed with probiotics that are good for nutrient absorption and digestion. The meal is also well-balanced and has many vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. Therefore, this would be a good product to try out.
BEST FOR SMALL BREEDS
9.

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food - Sweet Potato & Fish Formula

Product Info

  • Protein: 24% Min
  • Fat: 10% Min
  • Fiber: 4% Max
  • Calories: 350 kcal/cup
Pros
  • Good for very sensitive stomachs
  • Less smelly and healthy looking poop
Cons
  • Some reviewers found mold in food
  • Unpleasant kibble smell for some reviewers
This grain-free food product comes in two recipes. The one for adult dogs is a combination of fish and sweet potato.

The other recipe comes in the form of smaller bites. It is meant for smaller dogs. Furthermore, the recipes help maintain a healthy digestive system completely free from artificial flavors or additives.
BEST GRAIN FREE
10.

Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Salmon & Whitefish Recipe

Product Info

  • Protein: 24% Min
  • Fat: 14% Min
  • Fiber: 3.5% Max
  • Calories: 3600 kcal/kg, 381 kcal/cup
Pros
  • Several sources of novel protein
  • Grain-free carbohydrates for digestibility
  • Supplemented with probiotics
Cons
  • Contains chicken ingredients, some dogs may be sensitive
If you are on a tight budget, but would still like to feed pup dog a high-quality dog food. You can try our this Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Salmon & Whitefish recipe.

This recipe is grain-free and highly digestible. Plus it can reduce the risk for allergies. It is made with real animal proteins like salmon and whitefish.

It contains plenty of essential fatty acids, fresh fruits and vegetables for nutritional support. It also contains probiotics for healthy and regular digestion.

Benefits Of A Limited-Ingredient Diet

As our canine pets may become sensitive to low-quality ingredients or certain foods, choosing a limited-ingredient hypoallergenic dog diet is the best way to handle the problem.

It is an easy way to isolate the ingredients that your dog is allergic to. Furthermore, it provides it with nutrition that is only beneficial. When you offer your dog a limited-ingredient diet, you will notice changes like:

  • Higher energy and performance
  • Less stomach sensitivity issues or bowel problems
  • Better weight management
  • Fewer skin issues such as itching, scratching or constant licking

What Else Can You Do for Skin Allergies?

Feeding your pup a dog food diet rich in skin-supporting ingredients is key, but there are other helpful ways to supplement its diet.

Adding a little canned, soft or wet food to your dog’s routine can add moisture to its diet and to its skin.

Providing plenty of fresh drinking water is essential, and supplementing your dog’s diet with probiotics and healthy fatty acids like flaxseed oil or fish oil could be helpful as well.

You can also improve its skin allergies by giving it a bath with some kind of skin-soothing shampoo and conditioner.

Natural ingredients like oatmeal and aloe can soothe your dog’s itchy, irritated skin and help moisturize it so it can heal. After bathing, simply towel your dog dry instead of using a blow dryer, because that could be too drying.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, we realize that switching to the right diet for your canine is not at all easy. Abrupt changes in your pet’s diet could result in adverse and severe reactions. However, when you are not sure what is causing your dog’s sudden weight changes, we recommend first consulting a specialist. They will provide some suggestions. Once you understand the deeper reason why your dog has these issues, you can feed it the right items. Therefore, the items above help guide you in the right direction.

Anne is a wellness writer with a lifelong love of animals large and small. As a former veterinary technician, she has a passion for your pet’s well-being. Anne rescues and rehabilitates animals in need. She shares her farm with lots of critters including horses, sheep, dogs, cats, rabbits, and chickens
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