11+ Best Limited Ingredient Cat Food [2025]

Does your feline companion struggle with food allergies? IBS or IBD? Limited ingredient cat food could be your solution!

Limited ingredient cat foods focus on minimal, easy-to-digest ingredients so your cat’s nutritional needs are met without causing any upset tummies or allergic reactions.

But which limited ingredient cat food is right for your cat? We've curated a list of some of the best limited ingredient cat food products currently on the market. These options can help you manage your cat's health while satisfying their palates!

 

What is Limited Ingredient Cat Food? 

Limited ingredient cat food is a cat food made with fewer ingredients than generic cat food formulas—it also focuses on natural ingredients instead of junky fillers. This type of cat food is perfect for cats with sensitive stomachs, food allergies, and IBS or IBD. 

Food allergies in cats typically happen because of an abnormal reaction to common proteins like beef, chicken, and fish, but any food ingredient can cause these reactions. Minimizing the ingredients your cat consumes can prevent trips to the vet for skin rashes, vomiting, diarrhea, and infections. It also makes it easier for pet parents to identify potential allergens for their cats.

However, the term “limited ingredient” is not regulated by the FDA. That means pet food companies can add “limited ingredient” on their labels no matter how many ingredients their food actually contains. 

Fortunately, there are lots of great, genuinely limited ingredient cat foods out there. Just be vigilant and make your cat food decision with care!

 

What to Look for in a Limited Ingredient Cat Food

When you’re on the hunt for the best limited ingredient cat food, focus on simplicity and quality. This makes it easier to identify and eliminate allergens for your feline friend. Here are the key qualities to look for on the food label:

Single-source Protein

Many limited ingredient cat foods contain only one animal protein per recipe, which gives you the best opportunity to avoid food sensitivities—especially if it’s a novel protein like duck, rabbit, or kangaroo. 

Novel proteins are proteins that have never been part of your pet’s diet before. Since these proteins are unfamiliar to your cat’s body, they’re less likely to be recognized by the immune system and to trigger an allergic reaction.

Ingredient Lists Without Additives and Fillers

Always check the ingredient list for any unnecessary additives or fillers. Junky fillers like potatoes, peas, soy, artificial preservatives, and animal by-products can contribute to digestive upset. KOHA cat food recipes contain no junky fillers, providing a simpler and more easily digestible option for cats with sensitive stomachs or food allergies.

Easily Digestible Ingredients

Look for a moisture-rich limited ingredient cat food that contains only one protein source, one healthy carb source (if any), and gentle ingredients like pumpkin and turmeric. Avoid ingredients known for causing an upset stomach, like legumes and excessive starches.

KOHA Limited Ingredient Bland Diet Wet Cat Food is specially crafted for sensitive stomachs. Combining high-quality shredded chicken, easily digestible white rice, and fiber-rich pumpkin for smooth digestion, it provides all the benefits of a bland diet in a nutritionally complete, ready-to-serve formula.

Best Limited Ingredient Cat Food

Let’s take a look at some great limited ingredient cat foods on the market so you can make the best decision for your pet! 

 

1. KOHA Cat Food

KOHA's mission is to provide pets with the best and most nutritious food possible. With minimal and limited ingredients, KOHA products are ideal for pets with sensitive stomachs, IBD, IBS, food allergies, and more. 

KOHA’s limited ingredient cat foods include duck pâté, rabbit au jus, turkey pâté, and chicken pâté. All of their limited ingredient cat foods help with: 

• Extreme Food Sensitivities: Novel proteins your cat has never eaten and one meat per recipe gives you the best opportunity to avoid food sensitivities.
• Sensitive Stomach: Carefully selected ingredients and simple cooking methods keep nutrients closer to their original state.

• Digestion Issues: Moisture-rich, high protein, no unnecessary fillers, and low carbohydrates create a meal that is easy to digest.

 

KOHA also offers stews, shredded meats, and freeze-dried raw toppers to ensure that your feline friend is getting all the nutrients needed to keep that tail up! 

Pros:

• High in protein and offers novel protein options, with only one meat per can  
• Recipes don’t include any carb-loaded fillers like potatoes, wheat, corn, soy, or preservatives 
• Easy for cats to digest
• Pumpkin and turmeric help support the digestion 
• Cranberries aid urinary tract health 

 

Cons: 

• Currently only ships to the US 

 

Additional Cat Food Products

• Pure Shreds for Cats: Various shredded meat entrées served in broth
• Minimal Ingredient Stew: Moisture-rich recipes made with meat in a savory gravy
• Poké Bowl in Gravy for Cats: Shredded and minced protein in a rich gravy 
• Raw Toppers: Filler free freeze-dried raw meat powder

 

KOHA’s limited ingredient cat food formulas have a paté texture, a delicious taste that cats love, and are easy-to-digest ingregients, creating happy and purrs aplenty.

 

2. Limited Ingredient Bland Diet Wet Food Chicken & Rice Recipe for Cats

Is your cat struggling with loose stool, vomiting, or an upset stomach? Soothe their stomach and get their digestion back on track with KOHA Limited Ingredient Bland Diet Wet Cat Food. This bland diet for cats features carefully selected ingredients and simple cooking methods to keep nutrients closer to their original state, including high-quality shredded chicken, easily digestible white rice, and fiber-rich pumpkin to support healthy stools and regularity. The moisture-rich, filler-free formula is the perfect solution for cats needing gentle, gut-friendly nutrition.

For cats with chronic upset stomach, this bland diet cat food is complete and balanced, meaning you can feed it to your cat as their everyday meal. Just open the pouch and serve!

Pros:

• Gently formulated bland diet recipe
• Single-source protein (shredded chicken) minimizes food sensitivities
• Pumpkin and white rice provide fiber for healthy stools and regularity
• Marine microalgae oil supplies omega-3s for skin and coat support
• Easy to digest
• Soft texture suitable for senior cats
• Fully cooked and ready to serve

• Formulated to meet AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles For Maintenance

Cons:

•  Currently only ships to the US

Additional Cat Food Products:

• Limited Ingredient Diet Pâté: Made with only one protein for the most sensitive of cats
• Pure Shreds for Cats: Made with shredded meat entrées served in broth
• Minimal Ingredient Stew: Made with wholesome meat in a savory gravy
• Poké Bowl in Gravy for Cats: Made with shredded and minced protein in a rich gravy

• Raw Toppers: Made with filler-free, freeze-dried raw meat powder

Soothe your cat’s finicky stomach with KOHA Limited Ingredient Bland Diet

 

3. Smalls Cat Food

Smalls Cat Food makes high protein limited ingredient wet cat food products with an assortment of all-natural proteins like turkey, chicken, beef, poultry, and fish. Each recipe has specific vitamins, fibers, and supplements.

Pros:

• Free from fillers and preservatives
• High in protein 

• Offers pet parent surveys to recommend the best product

Cons: 

• Limited cat food options 
• Wet food packaging isn't resealable and can be messy
• More expensive compared to other brands

Additional Cat Food Products: None! Smalls only makes limited ingredient foods.

 

4. Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free

Blue Buffalo Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free cat food contains no preservatives, soy, wheat, or by-products. The dry cat food recipe comes in duck, fish, and turkey, and includes "LifeSource Bits" to help promote a healthy cat coat and stomach at all stages of life.

 Pros:

• Free from chicken by-products, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, and preservatives
• Includes antioxidant-rich “LifeSource Bits” 
• Suitable for all life stages
• High in protein 

Cons: 

• All recipes contain potatoes or peas 
• They only offer dry limited ingredient cat food
• Some customers feel ingredient lists are too long for a "limited ingredient" food 

Additional Cat Food Products

• High-Protein Nutrition
• Targeted Nutrition
• Prescription Formulas
• Grain-free Diet
• A Healthy Head Start
• Delicious Healthy Cat Food

 

5. Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Wet Cat Food

Natural Balance offers several  L.I.D. Wet Cat Food products, including grain-free tuna & pumpkin, grain-free chicken & pumpkin, chicken & green pea, duck & green pea, salmon & green pea, and a duck formula for indoor cats. This product can be used as a wet topper over dry kibble or a complete meal.

Pros:

• Limited ingredient recipe are free from soy, wheat, and grains
• Contain omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
• Offer single-protein recipe options

Cons: 

• For a “limited ingredient” product, it has a very long ingredient list
• Contains green peas, which are an unnecessary filler ingredient
• Products are often out of stock 
• Recently changed the formula and some customers are saying their cats will no longer eat it

Additional Cat Food Products

• Original Ultra Pate Formula
• Original Ultra Indoor Grain-Free Dry Cat Food 
• Fat Cats Dry Cat Food
• Delectable Delights Cat Stew
• Platefulls

 

6. Merric Grain-Free Limited Ingredient

Merrick’s Grain Free Limited Ingredient cat foods contain deboned, single-sourced proteins. The recipes also incorporated antioxidants and omegas for healthy skin, coat, and immune system. The product doesn’t include any grains, potatoes, preservatives, or artificial flavors and colors. 

Pros:

• Contains deboned, single-sourced proteins
• Includes antioxidants, omega-3s, probiotics, and fatty acids 
• Recipes are free from grain, wheat, corn, and soy

Cons: 

• Some products contain meat by-products
• Some recipes contain pea protein, an unnecessary filler
• Offers fewer novel protein options

Additional Cat Food Products

• Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free or Health Grains (dry and wet)
• Backcountry Cat Food (dry and wet)

 

7. Purina Beyond Grain-Free 

Purina Beyond Grain-Free Cat Food has both dry and wet options in an assortment of flavors, including salmon, chicken, duck, and catfish. These limited ingredient cat food products don't contain any artificial flavoring, wheat, soy, or other by-products. 

Pros:

• Offers both wet and dry cat food options 
• Includes natural probiotics to support digestion and immune health 
• Made without any corn, soy, wheat, by-products, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives

Cons: 

• No single-meat options—all recipes contain chicken
• Contains liver from an unspecified source, making it less safe for cats with food allergies

Additional Cat Food Products

• Pro Plan Development Classic Grain-Free
• Pro Plan PRIME PLUS Senior Adult Classic Wet Cat Food
• Pro Plan Complete Essential Wet Cat Food
• Pro Plan Adult Complete Essentials Shredded Blend
• Pro Plan Adult Hairball Management
• Pro Plan Sensitive Skin
• Pro Plan Urinary Tract Health 
• Pro Plan Adult Weight Management
• Pro Plan LiveClear Allergen
• Pro Plan Vital Systems
• Pro Plan Indoor Care Wet Cat Food
• Purina ONE
• Fancy Feast Medleys
• Fancy Feast Savory Center
• Purely Fancy Feast
• Fancy Feast Petites
• Fancy Feast Gourmet Naturals

 

8. Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recioe Natural Cat Food

Instinct Limited Ingredient Cat Food comes in both wet and dry and only has one animal protein and one vegetable in each recipe. Their proteins include rabbit, salmon, and turkey and the products are free of any grains, dairy, eggs, potatoes, chickpeas, and artificial flavoring.

Pros:

• Limited ingredient recipes contain one animal protein and vegetable
• Made without grain, corn, wheat, soy, dairy, eggs, beef, fish, potatoes, artificial colors, and preservatives

Cons: 

• Recipes are more expensive than other cat foods
• Some recipes include mixed animal ingredients
• Contains unnecessary fillers

Additional Cat Food Products

• Raw Boost Indoor Health Dry Cat Food
• Healthy Cravings Wet Cat Food Topper
• Raw Longevity Adult Frozen Cat Food
• Raw Boost Mixers Freeze-Dried Cat Food Topper
• Ultimate Protein Dry Cat Food
• Original Dry Cat Food
• Original Grain-Free Pâté
• Original Minced Wet Cat Food Cups
• Raw Boost Mixers Multivitamin Freeze-Dried Food Topper

 

9. Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe

Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe is a dry food recipe to help with weight management and is made with whole foods like sweet potatoes and peas for immune system health. This recipe is made with deboned chicken and turkey and has no artificial flavoring, coloring, or preservatives. 

 

Pros:

• Available in both grain-free and grain-inclusive options
• Includes Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids
• Is formulated with prebiotics and probiotics for digestive health

Cons: 

• Contains unnecessary fillers like potatoes and peas
• Recipes include more than one animal protein source, which isn't ideal for cats with food allergies

Additional Cat Food Products

• Backcountry Cat Food
• Limited Ingredient Diet Wet Cat Food

 

10. Young Again LID Zero Mature Dry Cat Food

Young Again LID Zero Mature Dry Cat Food is a pork-based, limited ingredient formula with just one protein source. It’s specifically designed to support cats with allergies to chicken and other protein sources. The single-protein approach simplifies digestion while providing complete nutrition for sensitive felines.

Pros:

• Single protein source—ideal for cats with allergies
• Supports cats with kidney disease, constipation, or other bowel issues
• Suitable for pre-diabetic or diabetic cats

Cons:

• Limited availability in stores
• More expensive than other brands
• Not suitable for cats allergic to pork

Additional Cat Food Products:

• Mature Health Formula
• Zero Mature Health Formula
• Sensitive Stomach IBD Zero Adult
• Carnivore Raw Premixes

 

11. Stella & Chewy's Absolutely Rabbit Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Morsels

Stella & Chewy’s Absolutely Rabbit Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Morsels is made with 98% farm-raised, hormone-free rabbit and enriched with essential vitamins, minerals, taurine, and probiotics. It’s also free of grains, gluten, fillers, artificial preservatives, colorings, and antibiotics.

Pros:

• Offers freeze-dried raw formula
• Contains no grains, gluten, fillers, or artificial preservatives
• Supports healthy digestion, teeth, gums, and coat

Cons:

• Is more expensive than other cat foods
• May not appeal to all cats due to the freeze-dried texture
• Requires rehydration before serving

Additional Cat Food Products:

• Raw Coated Kibble
• Carnivore Cravings Savory Shreds
• Carnivore Cravings Purrfect Paté
• Carnivore Cravings Minced Morsels

• Dinner Dust Meal Toppers

 

Serve the Best Limited Ingredient Cat Food

Limited ingredient cat food is one of the best ways to provide your cat with all the nutrients they need without hurting their stomach or causing other irritations. 

When it comes to finding the right limited ingredient cat food, it’s important to look for a product that genuinely has limited ingredients, sticks to one protein source per product, and includes all the minerals and nutrients your cat needs. 

What limited ingredient cat food brand can do all that and more? KOHA.

KOHA has multiple recipes for limited ingredient cat food that are sure to keep your cat purring after every meal. Each recipe includes:

• One high-quality animal protein to minimize food sensitivities
• Pumpkin and turmeric to support digestion
• Cranberries to maintain urinary tract health
• Moisture-rich recipes to promote optimal hydration

For cats with chronic digestive issues, look no further than KOHA Limited Ingredient Bland Diet Wet Cat Food. The formula features gut-soothing nutrition, including high-quality shredded chicken, white rice, and pumpkin to promote digestive health and regularity. With 80% moisture for essential hydration and a delicious taste that even picky eaters will love, KOHA Bland Diet is the perfect solution for cats needing nutrition that’s as gentle as it is complete.

Ready to make a healthy change for your feline friend? Choose KOHA Limited Ingredient Diet cat food!

 

Limited Ingredient Cat Food FAQ

Is limited ingredient food good for cats?

Yes, limited ingredient foods are good for cats, especially those with sensitivities or allergies. They use fewer, higher-quality ingredients, steering clear of unnecessary fillers that can upset your cat's stomach or cause allergic reactions, like itchy skin or itchy ears. However, the term “limited ingredient” isn’t regulated by the FDA, so some brands might still sneak in low-quality ingredients.

That’s why KOHA Limited Ingredient cat foods are your best ally. Featuring one animal protein per recipe (including novel proteins like duck and rabbit) and excluding common allergens like potatoes and artificial flavors, KOHA limited ingredient diet cat foods are nutritionally balanced, gentle to digest, and contain no junky fillers.

What is the best wet limited ingredient cat food? 

KOHA has the best wet food options for cats suffering from sensitive stomachs, IBS, or IBD. The patés have only one meat per can with very few additional ingredients to keep your cat companion happy and healthy.

Check out our limited ingredient cat food options!

What is the best dry limited ingredient cat food? 

The best dry limited ingredient cat food options contain a short list of simple, recognizable ingredients—specifically, a single protein source (like chicken or rabbit), minimal high-quality carbs (like brown rice), and natural preservatives (like tocopherols or rosemary extract). They’re also AAFCO-approved, meaning the food is complete and balanced for a nutritious diet.

However, if your cat has an extremely sensitive stomach or has been diagnosed with a medical condition, wet limited ingredient cat food can be a better option thanks to its higher moisture content. This makes the food easier to digest, so your cat can get all the nutrients they need.

Plus, cats generally don’t drink enough water on their own. Wet food is a great way to keep your cat hydrated, which is important for their digestion, blood circulation, urinary, and kidney health.

What is the best limited ingredient cat food for allergies?

KOHA offers cat parents the best limited ingredient cat food for allergies. Each recipe features an easily digestible, single animal protein and no junky fillers, making them ideal for cats with the most sensitive stomachs. There are also novel protein options, such as rabbit and kangaroo, for cats with allergies to common proteins.

On top of that, KOHA adds pumpkin to each recipe to make digestion easier for cats with allergies. 

Are fewer ingredients better in cat food?

Opting for cat food with fewer ingredients can be highly beneficial, since it eliminates potential allergens and filler foods that don’t contribute to your cat's well-being.

Limited ingredient cat foods deliver essential nutrients from high-quality sources while avoiding unnecessary fillers, additives, and potential irritants common in other foods. This simplified approach eases digestion and reduces the risk of reactions, making it an ideal choice for felines with sensitive stomachs or food-related allergies.

However, while using fewer ingredients can be beneficial, making sure that these ingredients fulfill your cat's dietary needs is crucial. Therefore, fewer ingredients in cat food are only better if they’re wholesome, nutritious, and sufficient to maintain optimal health.

Is there a limited ingredient cat food with rabbit? 

Yes! KOHA’s Limited Ingredient Diet Rabbit Au Jus is made with 96% rabbit meat and is grain, pea, and potato-free. The recipe also doesn’t contain soy, corn, or carrageenan, which may cause adverse reactions like skin irritation and digestive upset. Cats with the most sensitive stomachs can enjoy a tasty meal without any digestive issues.

What is the best healthiest food to feed a cat? 

A limited ingredient cat food is the healthiest option for your feline friend. Compared to traditional formulas, limited ingredient diets are rich in high-quality proteins, low in junky fillers, and free from common allergens that can cause digestive upset and other physical reactions.

KOHA Limited Ingredient Diet cat food is the optimal choice. Each filler-free recipe is gently formulated with a single protein as the first ingredient, followed by a roster of thoughtfully curated nutrients to support your cat’s natural bodily functions, including pumpkin for digestion and cranberries for urinary tract health. KOHA foods are also moisture-rich to keep your cat hydrated with minimal fuss.