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Before we get into the benefits of feeding a limited-ingredient diet to your dog, we think it would be helpful to give some context about what exactly limited-ingredient dog food is and what it isn’t.
Since there isn’t a defined maximum number of ingredients allowed in limited-ingredient diets, you need to make sure you’re checking the ingredient list before buying because not all limited-ingredient dog foods are created equally.
While the term “limited ingredient dog food” may seem self-explanatory, there is more to it than just having fewer ingredients than typical dog food recipes.
For a recipe to be considered a limited-ingredient diet, it should only contain ONE source of animal protein. This means if the recipe contains, for example, both beef and chicken, it isn’t a limited ingredient dog food. Additionally, the recipe should only contain one fruit and one vegetable in the list of ingredients.
One of the main things you need to be careful of when looking at various limited-ingredient dog foods is to check if the recipe is formulated to meet AAFCO’s standards for a complete and balanced diet. You can do this by looking for an AAFCO statement on the label. If there is no AAFCO statement, the recipe is unlikely to be complete and balanced so your dog might not get all the nutrients they need.
While many people choose to feed limited-ingredient recipes because they’re looking for a dog food that has simpler ingredients, there are some dogs that can only eat limited-ingredient recipes due to food sensitivities or stomach issues.
Below you can find a list of the best limited ingredient dog foods for specific conditions as well as different food types.
Best Limited Ingredient Dog Foods September 2024
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1. Best Overall Limited Ingredient Diet Dog Food: Raised Right Adult Beef Recipe
This Adult Beef Recipe is one of 11 limited ingredient foods formulated by Raised Right with veterinarian, Dr Karen Becker and pet food formulation expert Steve Brown.
All the adult dog recipes meet AAFCO’s standards to be complete and balanced and include only whole foods with no added synthetic vitamins or minerals.
The animal protein is from fresh beef and dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 60.5% protein, 23.7% fat and 7.8% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 15% and a fat-to-protein ratio of 39%.
See our full review of the Raised Right product line.
Read our review of the full Raised Right Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Things we like
- Complete and balanced
- Vet-designed
- No added synthetic vitamins or minerals
Main Ingredients Beef, beef heart, carrots, beef liver, cranberries Texture Fresh (Wet) Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 60.5% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult dogs only (not puppies) Sample buyer review...
"The minute I opened the food my dog did not hesitate at all. I was so surprised to see her gobble this meal, WOW! I am so pleased with the results. Normally she hesitates and won’t eat for quite a while. I couldn’t believe her response to your fantastic food!"
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2. Best Limited Ingredient Dog Food for Skin Allergies: The Farmer’s Dog Pork Recipe
This vet-developed limited ingredient fresh food is made from human-grade ingredients including novel proteins to help avoid allergy triggers.
The Farmer’s Dog Pork Recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein from pork. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 28% fat and 28% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 78%.
See our full review of The Farmer’s Dog Fresh range
Read our review of the full The Farmer’s Dog range here
Things we like
- Human-grade ingredients
- Novel proteins
- Made in USA
Main Ingredients Pork, sweet potatoes, potato, green beans, cauliflower Texture Fresh (Wet) Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 36% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All dogs including puppies Sample buyer review...
"The Farmer's Dog has cleared up all of my dogs allergies and Pip just absolutely loves his fresh food!"
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3. Best Limited Ingredient Dog Food for Allergies: The Honest Kitchen Limited Ingredient Chicken Recipe
This 5-star rated chicken formula is an excellent limited ingredient option for dogs and puppies with allergies. Because there is a higher protein concentration, there’s less room for other ingredients that may upset a dog with food intolerances.
Made by The Honest Kitchen, this food is one of eight recipes in the dehydrated range. It derives its animal protein from dehydrated chicken and our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 28% protein, 17.3% fat and 46.7% estimated carbs with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 62%.
Read our review of the Honest Kitchen Dehydrated range
Things we like
- Organic ingredients
- 100% human-grade
- No by products of preservatives
Main Ingredients Dehydrated chicken, organic quinoa, dehydrated sweet potatoes, dehydrated spinach, dried parsley Texture Dehydrated (Dry) Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 28% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adults dogs and puppies Sample buyer review...
"I have fed my rescue labradors The Honest Kitchen for eight years. I believe in the product and I believe in the company. My Labs are family and they deserve the best to live the longest. They give us so much joy and laughter. "
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4. Best Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food: Go! Solutions Sensitivities Limited Ingredient Turkey Grain-Free
Go! Solutions Sensitivities Limited Ingredient Turkey Grain-Free is a limited ingredient diet specifically formulated with one premium animal protein: turkey.
Crafted by a team of pet nutritionists, this dry food is one of seven recipes in a range formulated with marine microalgae oil which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids to support skin and coat health and brain development.
Dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 28.9% protein, 15.6% fat and 47.6% estimated carbs. . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 15% and a fat to protein ratio of 54%.
See our full review of the Go! Solutions Sensitivities product line.
Things we like
- Formulated with marine microalgae oil
- Free from preservatives
- Crafted by pet nutritionists
Main Ingredients De-boned turkey, turkey meal, tapioca, peas, lentils, chickpeas Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 54% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All dogs and puppies Sample buyer review...
"I changed my dog's food to this in 2021 and am so happy I made the decision. He had chronic ear infections on his last food. I am proud to say that more than three years later, he has not had an ear infection since. Also his skin looks so much better."
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5. Best Limited Ingredient Wet Dog Food: Zignature Lamb Formula
Made with high quality lamb, this canned limited ingredient recipe from Zignature is naturally low in fat rich in vitamin B12 to promote gastrointestinal health.
Zignature Lamb Formula also provides 78% moisture to help support a dog’s daily hydration goals. 100% of its protein comes from New Zealand lamb including meat, broth and liver. Dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 31.8% protein, 29.5% fat and 30.7% estimated carbs. . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 93%.
See our full review of the Zignature canned product line.
Main Ingredients Lamb, lamb broth, lamb liver, peas, dicalcium phosphorus Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 31.8% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Dogs and puppies Sample buyer review...
"My small dogs both love this food! My little girl rescue had to have all of her teeth removed due to a previous neglectful home situation, and both of my dogs love all of the flavors that Zignature has to offer."
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6. Best Limited Ingredient Dog Food for a Sensitive Stomach: Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet with Healthy Grains Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
This limited ingredient food is perfect for dogs with a sensitive stomach as it is made from a single source of protein and includes easily digestible oatmeal.
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet with Healthy Grains Chicken & Brown Rice gets all of its protein from chicken, which is also rich in the 10 amino acids a dog needs to sustain life. Dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 36.4% protein, 22.7% fat and 32.9% estimated carbs. . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.
See our full review of the Merrick Limited Ingredient wet food.
Things we like
- No lentils, peas, soy, corn or dairy products
- Contains easily digestible oatmeal
- Rich in fiber
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, brown rice, oatmeal Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 36.48% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Dogs only Sample buyer review...
"Merrick is good quality pet food, and our dogs seem to love it. We mix a little wet food with the same dry food, and it’s gone in seconds!"
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7. Best Limited Ingredient Puppy Food: FirstMate Limited Ingredient Wild Pacific Salmon Formula
FirstMate Limited Ingredient Wild Pacific Salmon Formula is a grain-free recipe made from wild-caught salmon. This wet pate formula is easy for puppies to eat and helps keep them hydrated.
The first ingredient is salmon, an oily marine and freshwater fish not only high in protein but also omega 3 fatty acids.. Dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 50% protein, 13.6% fat and 28.4% estimated carbs. . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 27%.
See our full review of the FirstMate Limited Ingredient Diet wet dog food.
Things we like
- High in protein
- Includes Omega 3 fatty acids
- Easily digestible
Main Ingredients Boneless/skinless salmon, water sufficient for processing, potato, salt, calcium carbonate Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 50% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Puppies and dogs Sample buyer review...
"The salmon recipe is a pate and my pups loved it. "
More Top Picks
To view more top dog foods by category… click the link below that best meets your personal feeding needs.
Final word
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