Home The Best Dog Food in 2021 Top 10 Limited Ingredient Dog Food of 2020

Top 10 Limited Ingredient Dog Food of 2020

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Best Limited Ingredients Dog FoodNot every mutt is the same. Some can consume anything without having an issue while others are sensitive or allergic to specific meals. Luckily, if you own a mutt who exhibits food-triggered side effects, the perfect solution lies no further than in feeding them any grain free limited ingredient dog food.

By sticking to these dishes, you’ll have your dog companion eating a wholesome diet without having to stress about allergic symptoms. Often, these indicators include itchiness or flaking skin, a thin coat, unhealthy hair growth, ear infections, fluctuations in body weight, hot spots, throwing up, or diarrhea.

That said, if you’re already considering minimum ingredient diets, look no further. In this post, you will get comprehensive limited ingredient dog food reviews to assist you in purchasing the fitting dish for your supersensitive canine companion. Furthermore, there’s a detailed shopper’s guide that’ll undoubtedly help you in learning every crucial bit of information regarding limited ingredient mutt meals.

Our Recommendation

Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Sensitive Skin & Stomach

Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Sensitive Skin & StomachThis formula made to support dogs with stomach problems. This is Adult formula for the most dog sizes, and nutrient-rich salmon is the first ingredient in this formula. This formula is full of healthy nutrients too. It fulls of fish oil- source of EPA one of the omega-3 fatty acids- helps support joint and mobility, while omega-6 helps skin looks shiny and healthy. Also this is no corn or wheats in the formula.

Comparison Table

Features:
Product Information
Our Rating:
Buy from:
Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Sensitive Skin & Stomach
Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Sensitive Skin & Stomach
  • Salmon Is The Central Component
  • Available As Dehydrated Or Wet
  • Zero Corn, Wheat, Or Even Soy
  • Manufactured In America
  • No Human-made Colorings For Flavorings
  • Brand Name - Purina Pro Plan
  • Weight - 41 Lb
  • Main Ingredients - Salmon, Barley, Ground Rice, Canola Meal, Oat Meal
  • Price - $$
  • Breed Size - All Sizes
  • Lifestage - Adult
5
Zignature - Limited Ingredient Turkey Formula
Zignature - Limited Ingredient Turkey Formula
  • Turkey Composition
  • A Grain Free Limited Ingredient Dog Food
  • A True Single Animal Protein Provider
  • Organic Components
  • Zero-gluten
  • Brand Name - Zignature
  • Weight - 27 Lb
  • Main Ingredients - Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chickpeas, Peas, Sunflower Oil
  • Price - $$$
  • Breed Size - All Sizes
  • Lifestage - All Breeds
4.8
Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Component Dishes
Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Component Dishes
  • Quality Delicacy
  • Lamb Is The Central Component
  • Minimal Carb Providers, In Essence, Brown Rice And Rice Bran
  • Suits Every Mutt Breed
  • Brand Name - Natural Balance
  • Weight - 28 Lb
  • Main Ingredients - Potatoes, Duck Meal, Duck, Canola Oil, Potato Protein
  • Price - $$
  • Breed Size - All Sizes
  • Lifestage - Adult
4.5
Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Limited Ingredient
Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Limited Ingredient
  • Natural
  • No Egg Or Beef
  • Lamb Is The Underlying Component
  • Fortified With Vital Minerals
  • Brand Name - Rachael Ray Nutrish
  • Weight - 28 Lb
  • Main Ingredients - Lamb Meal, Brown Rice, Ground Rice, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Chicken Fat
  • Price - $$
  • Breed Size - All Sizes
  • Lifestage - Adult
4.7
Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient
Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient
  • Lamb And Oatmeal Composition
  • Developed For Matured Dogs
  • Kibble Form
  • All-natural
  • Brand Name - Wellness
  • Weight - 26 Lb
  • Main Ingredients - Lamb, Lamb Meal, Oatmeal, Peas, Ground Rice
  • Price - $$$
  • Breed Size - All Sizes
  • Lifestage - All Lifestages
4.7

Who Should Purchase Dog Meals for Allergies?

Owners of canines with no medical issues don’t need to acquire limited ingredient diets. Nonetheless, if your mutt presents the following signs, it is sensible to purchase these limited ingredient foods.

  • They cause vomiting: If your four-legged companion can’t seem to keep meals in the stomach, then you should consider a limited ingredient food. Nonetheless, make an appointment with the veterinary before switching food plans.
  • They develop skin issues: After ruling out other causes of allergic reactions in your mutt, and they still scratch and lick themselves, then it is time to scrutinize the things that they eat. Switching to a diet with more oils can offer much lubrication that helps relieve the itch that your mutt experiences. 

Close Up of Dog Food CibblesGrain Free Limited Ingredient Mutt Dish

A grain free limited ingredient dog food is a meal that includes just one kind of protein and zero grains. Usually, on the packaging, you will see specifications such as “no corn, wheat, soy, and other grains.” A grain free limited ingredient dog food is an excellent diet for a dog with grain allergies.

Limited Ingredient Mutt Dish Without Peas

These are foods with limited contents but with no traces of peas whatsoever. If your animal is allergic to peas, then this is the ideal purchase.

Limited Ingredient Canned Dog Dish

A limited ingredient canned dog food is a minimal content dog meal that is packaged in a can. Often, this type of food is wet, easy to chew, and digest.

Hypoallergenic Dog Foods

Normally, a vet recommends this type of dog meal. However, you may also choose to order it online directly too. These brands are developed from proteins that have been chemically “split” (hydrolyzed) into their fundamental amino acid building blocks. As such, this process makes the original allergen virtually untraceable in your mutt’s immune system.

Limited Ingredient Dog Food Review

Now, when we know all about LID dog food, we can compare top food on the market.

Our Favorite

Best Overall: Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Sensitive Skin & StomachThe Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Organic Whole Grain Dog Food

Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Sensitive Skin & StomachProduct Information:

  • Brand Name – Purina Pro Plan
  • Weight – 41 Lb
  • Main Ingredients – Salmon, Barley, Ground Rice, Canola Meal, Oat Meal
  • Price – $$
  • Breed Size – All Sizes
  • Lifestage – Adult

This controlled component delicacy is hands down the top choice. See, this restricted ingredient meal goes easy on your mutt’s digestive tract, thanks to the highly-digestible composition that it has. Moreover, it packs an excellent amount of prebiotic fiber, which assists in ensuring intestinal balance while boosting the state of the gut.

It’s a high-end product, that is, if you consider the contents. For instance, it has actual salmon as the central component. This minimal component dish is quite enriched with protein and helps in muscular and tissue development. On top of that is oatmeal, which acts as a provider of the required carbs for energy production.

Furthermore, this restricted component delicacy packs sunflower and fish oil that provide omega fatty acids for proper coat development. Best of all, this restricted content mutt nourishment is all-organic and has no human-made colorings, flavorings, or other adulterations.

Standout features:

  • Salmon is the central component
  • Available as dehydrated or wet
  • Zero corn, wheat, or even soy
  • Manufactured in America
  • No human-made colorings for flavorings.

Pros

  • Mild on the digestive tract
  • Supports healthy coat
  • Effortless to digest
  • Protein-rich
  • Premium formula & contents.

Cons

  • Must be accompanied by water during feeding.

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Zignature - Limited Ingredient Turkey Formula Dry Dog FoodProduct Information:

  • Brand Name – Zignature
  • Weight – 27 Lb
  • Main Ingredients – Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chickpeas, Peas, Sunflower Oil
  • Price – $$$
  • Breed Size – All Sizes
  • Lifestage – All Breeds

If anyone keen on acquiring a minimum component delicacy no loaded with fat that still delivers a completed and balanced nourishment, then look no further than this controlled component meal. It is a user-favorite mostly because it can be fed to mutts from the puppy phase to adulthood. The underlying ingredient in this nourishment series is turkey, meat that offers adequate amounts of protein for mutts. When feeding it to your mutt, you’ll have peace of mind knowing the formula is developed to adhere to the AAFCO mutt food nutrient profiles.

No matter the age of your four-legged companion, you’ll be in a position to administer the appropriate amount of minimal ingredient food always. There is a comprehensive feeding guideline at the back of the packaging that shows the proper serving size for the weight of your mutt.

Standout features:

  • Turkey composition
  • A grain free limited ingredient dog food
  • A true single animal protein provider
  • Organic components
  • Zero-gluten.

Pros

  • Suitable for dogs at all stages
  • Fortified with Taurine and L-carnitine
  • Great feeding suggestions
  • Rich in omega fatty acids.

Cons

  • Introduced gradually to avoid digestive disturbances.
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Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food with GrainsProduct Information:

  • Brand Name – Natural Balance
  • Weight – 28 Lb
  • Main Ingredients – Potatoes, Duck Meal, Duck, Canola Oil, Potato Protein
  • Price – $$
  • Breed Size – All Sizes
  • Lifestage – Adult

This best cheap dog food limited ingredient diet is the ideal bargain for price and nourishment. It’s a comprehensive delicacy for your mutt, providing the necessary protein from lamb and carbs from brown rice. These two contents are the underlying components, meaning that you don’t have to supplement the meal with anything else when feeding your mutt. Most dogs on this diet have shown no digestive issues and have developed excellent coats. Understandably, the omega fatty acids have a lot to do with promoting the development of heavy fur.

Standout aspects:

  • Quality delicacy
  • Lamb is the central component
  • Minimal carb providers, in essence, brown rice and rice bran
  • Suits every mutt breed.

Pros

  • No fillers
  • Enables flourishing fur and shiny coat
  • Vital amino acids present
  • Vitals and minerals present.

Cons

  • Exacerbates some conditions initially.
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Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Limited Ingredient Diet Dry Dog FoodProduct Information:

  • Brand Name – Rachael Ray Nutrish
  • Weight – 28 Lb
  • Main Ingredients – Lamb Meal, Brown Rice, Ground Rice, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Chicken Fat
  • Price – $$
  • Breed Size – All Sizes
  • Lifestage – Adult

It is yet another limited ingredient dog food for allergies to acquire, especially if your mutt fancies devouring anything with lamb in it, given that it’s the number one component in this delicacy.

Many mutt breeders who go for this specific brand prefer it since it has no poultry-derived edibles and is packed with useful vital minerals. As a provider of vitality, this restricted content delicacy packs adequate amounts of brown rice, a carb that’s broken down in the mutt’s body to provide vitality.

Standout features:

  • Natural
  • No egg or beef
  • Lamb is the underlying component
  • Fortified with vital minerals.

Pros

  • 6 natural contents
  • Cooked in US facilities
  • Rich in fiber
  • Essential nutrients present.

Cons

  • Available as dry food only.
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Wellness Simple Natural Limited IngredientProduct Information:

  • Brand Name – Wellness
  • Weight – 26 Lb
  • Main Ingredients – Lamb, Lamb Meal, Oatmeal, Peas, Ground Rice
  • Price – $$$
  • Breed Size – All Sizes
  • Lifestage – All Lifestages

Among the many limited ingredient dog food for allergies, the Wellness limited ingredient dehydrated lamb & oatmeal has made quite a name for itself. It boasts of being a minimal ingredient food that packs few contents but still manages to deliver maximum nutritive value. If your four-legged companion has digestion issues, switching them to this nourishment will be invaluable, seeing as this restricted content delicacy is easy on the digestive tract. It is specially formulated for adult mutts.

Standout features:

  • Lamb and oatmeal composition
  • Developed for matured dogs
  • Kibble form
  • All-natural.

Pros

  • Straightforward digestion
  • Maximum nutritional value
  • Manufactured in America
  • Gluten-free.

Cons

  • For adult mutts only.
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Solid Gold - Holistique BlendzProduct Information:

  • Brand Name – Solid Gold
  • Weight – 28.5 Lb
  • Main Ingredients – Oatmeal, Pearled Barley, Peas, Ocean Fish Meal, Dried Eggs
  • Price – $$
  • Breed Size – All Sizes
  • Lifestage – Senior

Solid Gold, an American holistic pet dishes manufacturer, has a line of healthy canine food products too. From this line, you can pick Holistique Blendz, a dog food limited ingredient that is composed of natural and nutrient-rich things like oatmeal, ocean-sourced fish food, and pearled barley.

The balance of whole grains and the single fish protein makes this dry limited ingredient food ideal for those canines who have sensitive digestive systems. It doesn’t contain too many protein types and is rich in fiber, a compound that is essential for healthy digestion. Apart from the gut, limited ingredient foods included in this recipe also help to promote healthy skin, coats, and immunity.

If you own a senior dog or highly allergic adult mutt, this product might work well for you. It’s not just healthy but also tasty, which is a factor to consider when switching brands.

Standout features:

  • Single protein (fish)
  • Oatmeal & barley as other main ingredients
  • Rich in probiotics & omega fatty acids
  • Packed in a 28.5-pound bag
  • No potatoes added.

Pros

  • Made with easy to digest proteins
  • Rich source of fiber & prebiotics
  • Suitable for regulating weight
  • Promotes a host of bodily processes.

Cons

  • Protein may be limited for a high needs’ mutt.
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WholeHearted Grain Free Limited Ingredient Salmon RecipeProduct Information:

  • Brand Name – WholeHearted
  • Weight – 22 Lb
  • Main Ingredients – Salmon, Salmon Meal, Lentils, Chickpeas, Canola Oil
  • Price – $$
  • Breed Size – All Sizes
  • Lifestage – All Lifestages

Another entry is this grain free limited ingredient dog food from WholeHearted. It is a wonderful selection for extremely picky pooches as it contains just six major components. The chief protein component is salmon. It also has chickpeas, beet, and lentils as the sources of energy.

There’s just one protein type, thereby making limited ingredient food wonderful for mutts whose immunity adversely to other proteins such as milk and poultry. The remaining ingredients are carefully chosen to suit the requirements of sensitive mutts. Plus, there aren’t chemical enhancers (color or aroma). If you’ve been searching for a limited ingredient food that your mutt won’t react to, this brand is worth trying.

Standout features:

  • Composed of salmon, chickpeas, lentils, beet pulp, and canola oil
  • 30% protein composition
  • Sold in a 22-pound packet
  • Enhanced with probiotics.

Pros

  • Suitable feed for all breeds, ages, & sizes
  • Composed of true animal meat
  • Doesn’t have any grains
  • Excellent source of veggies.

Cons

  • Manufactured in a facility that handles soy and potatoes.
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I and love and you Lovingly Simple Dry Dog FoodProduct Information:

  • Brand Name – I and love and you
  • Weight – 10.25 Lb
  • Main Ingredients – Lamb, Menhaden Fish Meal, Chickpeas, Ground Peas, Pea Protein
  • Price – $$$
  • Breed Size – All Sizes
  • Lifestage – All Lifestages

If you have a mutt who isn’t stomaching most meals you have bought, the best solution is to slowly introduce him or her to this lamb with sweet potatoes diet. That’s because this grain free limited ingredient dog food is produced for animals who have several sensitivities. It’s not composed of known allergens like poultry, beef, corn, and grains. Instead, the protein comes from actual lamb flesh, which is pretty easy on the teeth and stomach. It’s composed of 30% protein, a sufficient percentage for growing and mature mutts.

Moreover, this grain free limited ingredient dog food is not mixed with meals or any other by-product. It has sweet potato, ground peas, and chickpeas. This delicacy is a limited ingredient alternative that still manages to offer a healthy dish.

Standout features:

  • Lamb is №1 ingredient
  • 30% protein composition
  • Zero grains and rice
  • Sweet potato and peas as carbs and vegetable sources.

Pros

  • Free of beef and poultry
  • Rich in protein
  • Specially designed for sensitive mutts
  • No filler meals/by-products.

Cons

  • Has a noticeable smell.
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Purina ONE Natural Sensitive SystemsProduct Information:

  • Brand Name – Purina ONE
  • Weight – 31.1 Lb
  • Main Ingredients – Chicken, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Corn, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Wheat
  • Price – $
  • Breed Size – All Sizes
  • Lifestage – Adult

For canine owners in search of a diet that combines high-value protein with whole grains, Purine ONE dog food limited ingredient is a worthy alternative. It’s an organic blend that is enhanced with lots of pro-biotics plus nutrients. What makes this brand a decent selection is that it provides an affordable alternative to other regular dry delicacies. 

The ingredients are deliberately chosen and combined for canines with picky tummies. It’s sold in a 31-pound sack (which is pretty large) of easily chewable morsels. It’s probably one of the most ideal choices around if your pet has several sensitivities.

Standout features:

  • 31lb. pounds
  • Chicken protein
  • Contains whole corn and wheat
  • Comes in morsels.

Pros

  • Composed of real chicken
  • Doesn’t have fillers
  • Highly digestible.

Cons

  • The pieces are quite tiny.
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Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Dry Dog FoodProduct Information:

  • Brand Name – Nutro
  • Weight – 22 Lb
  • Main Ingredients – Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Chickpeas, Dried Potatoes, Dried Sweet Potato
  • Price – $$
  • Breed Size – All Sizes
  • Lifestage – Adult

Some mutts don’t handle some types of meats very well. If feed, they may vomit or have loose stool. So, if you’d like to avoid chicken in a mutt’s everyday intake, limited ingredient dog food for allergies like NUTRO can assist with that.

NUTRO makes this limited ingredient food with authentic lamb instead of beef and poultry. Most animals, if not all, do not develop adverse reactions to eating lamb. This product also keeps its recipe free from other compounds that may trigger allergies and other health issues such as dairy, wheat, soy, and corn.

Standout features:

  • Composed of lamb, chickpeas, and sweet potatoes
  • Limited ingredients minus grains
  • Organic components only
  • Sold in a 22-pound sack.

Pros

  • Avoids most compounds that cause sensitivities
  • Doesn’t exceed ten main ingredients
  • Gives mutts soft and shiny coats.

Cons

  • Pricy.
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H2: The 4 Allergen Foods for Mutts

Most dog owners struggle with pinpointing the exact dishes that trigger allergic reactions in their loyal companions. So, to help, below are the typical high-risk in mutt meals:

Chicken

Believe it or not, chicken is an allergen. It is often found in various kibbles, wet foods, and treats. Some dogs are genetically predisposed to chicken allergies, while others may develop them as they grow. Even if your mutt has been munching chicken before, they could still develop an allergy to this product.

Beef

Your dog might be having a genetic problem that makes them allergic to beef. As such, when they are exposed to it, they will start displaying allergic symptoms. Beef is often found in an array of dog meals, so it is best to scrutinize the contents before buying.

Dairy

Anything to do with milk can trigger an allergic reaction in your dog if they have an inborn or acquired sensitivity to the same. So, if you notice that your mutt is displaying signs of allergy, it is best to cease feeding them milk and its derivative products.

Egg

If a meal containing eggs gets your mutt sickly, the sensible thing to do is to eliminate this allergen. This way, you can keep their immune system from responding more vigorously over time and inducing even more agonizing allergy symptoms.

Other Canine Allergies Triggers

Apart from eggs, beef, chicken, and dairy, other foods can bring about unwanted reactions on the gut, skin, or coat of your mutt. The only way to know what your dog is reacting to is to eliminate one ingredient at a time. The main compounds you should look out for include:

  • Wheat (contains gluten)
  • Artificial preservatives and additives
  • Soy
  • Corn.

Is It an Allergy and Intolerance?

Food intolerance and food allergies can sometimes be confused to mean the same thing because some of their signs overlap. So, you need to know if your mutt is suffering from intolerance or allergy to deal with it.

Dog Holding Plate in His TeethDistinct Conditions with Unique Symptoms

However, they are two distinct conditions. A food allergy happens when the immune system negatively responds to a particular protein hence making the body trigger an allergic response. Symptoms can include vomiting, swelling, itchiness, hives, nausea, and diarrhea. Sometimes, allergies can affect breathing and become life-threatening. Allergies can be solved by eliminating triggers.

Food intolerance, on the other hand, is a reaction to a particular food that is not triggered by the immune system. Food intolerance can often be controlled by eating the food in question in small amounts. Symptoms are bloating, eczema flareups, wind, and indigestion.

What to Consider When Purchasing Limited Ingredient Foods

When you go shopping for food for sensitive dogs, there are things you should always keep in mind. These are:

  • The number of ingredients: if your dog is allergic to most things, then you want to feed them foods that they won’t react to. So, a limited ingredient product should have a small variety of protein sources as there will be a slimmer chance of a reaction occurring.
  • Zero grains: grains are much more difficult for canines to digest. And, the more sensitive your mutt is, the more cautious you should be about grains. 
  • Essential additives: some additives may help your mutt’s body to deal with an allergic reaction. Look for probiotics, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids.
  • Raw food: dogs are canines. Therefore, raw protein is closest to what their digestive systems can handle. Consider buying limited ingredient food that is wholly or partially raw.

Plates With Dog FoodFrequently Asked Questions

Are you confused about limited ingredient food for mutts? Do you have questions or concerns on this topic? Here are quick answers to the most common questions:

In What Ways Is Mutt Limited Ingredient Food for Allergies Unique from Regular Food?

Limited ingredient pet foods, specially made to combat allergies, usually have carefully selected ingredients for sensitive guts. Most contain one protein source too, like bison or lamb, so that dog owners can give their mutts only the protein they are not allergic to.

What Signs Show that My Dog Is Allergic to Food?

There are typical signs that will show you that your mutt may be suffering from an allergic reaction to food. The most common indications of food reactions are hair shedding, itchiness, and skin flareups. If the response is acute, your pooch may also experience diarrhea, vomiting after eating, hyper activeness, and aggression.

What’s the Best Relief for Canine Allergy?

You can treat allergies with natural remedies or over the counter meds, or both. Medication for allergies include antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays, and allergy shots. You can also switch to hypoallergenic foods such as oatmeal, lamb, venison, duck, potato, etc.

What Proteins Should You Feed a Dog with an Allergy?

Ideally, you want to feed your pooch novel proteins. Consider limited ingredient duck dog food or lamb food. Venison or rabbit are also excellent choices.

Dry Dog FoodVerdict and Final Words

If you suspect that your dog has an allergy, these ten suggestions of limited ingredient foods are great options to consider. Purina Pro Plan is the overall recommendation as it helps to quite stomach and skin reactions as a result of protein allergy. That said, always consult your veterinarian before making a significant decision like putting your dog on allergy medication. Interested about another stuff for dogs? Read about best invisible fence for dog and dog stairs for high bed.

Images credits: Amazon.com & photo stocks

Author

Max Gordon

Dr. Gordon has been a contributor to a range of pet media since his study at Drexel University in Philadelphia. He does not miss a chance to do in-depth research backed by his own examinations. Along with writing his own pieces, Dr. Gordon does fact-checking of the articles.

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