10+ Best Limited Ingredient Dog Food [2025]

As a pet parent, you want the best for your furry friend. Your pooch is an important member of your family–and you want them to have the best health possible. 

But did you know the food you’re feeding your dog could actually be hurting them? Some mainstream dog food brands include harmful additives that give your pet an upset stomach or trigger their allergies. 

The ASPCA offers different nutrition guides you can read for best practices about how to feed your dog. However, one of the simplest approaches you can take is to buy limited ingredient dog food. Below, you’ll learn what qualifies as limited ingredient dog food and some of the best brands you can buy.

What is Limited Ingredient Dog Food? 

Limited Ingredient Dog Food refers to specially formulated diets with fewer components to help minimize pet food allergies. They typically include a single source of quality protein and a minimal list of fruits, vegetables, and carbohydrates. This streamlined approach reduces the risk of triggering allergies or digestive issues, making it an excellent option for treating food intolerance in dogs.

Ingredients in limited ingredient dog foods

Limited Ingredient Diet (LID) foods focus on high-quality proteins like:

• Venison
• Kangaroo
• Beef
• Duck
• Lamb
• Turkey
• Salmon
• Pork
• Chicken

Alongside protein, you will find a variety of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables that provide essential fiber, vitamins, and minerals. These may include:

• Pumpkin
• Blueberries
• Broccoli

While some brands may include carbohydrates like potatoes or peas in their limited ingredient diet, they are not ideal for continued feeding as they’re generally unnecessary fillers that may cause upset stomach.

What ingredients are not in limited ingredient dog foods?

As “limited ingredient” suggests, these dog foods avoid any potential allergenic triggers.  What you won't find in these foods are:

• Wheat
• Soy
• Corn

Most manufacturers also exclude artificial additives to further minimize the risk of adverse reactions.

LID dog food vs grain-free dog food

LID dog foods can come in grain-free and grain-inclusive recipes; however, not all grain-free dog foods can be considered limited ingredient. All grain-free dog foods eliminate the use of grains, but some of these grain-free recipes contain other ingredients that could cause allergies or sensitivities in some dogs.

Benefits of Limited Ingredient Dog Food

Switching to limited ingredient dog food offers multiple benefits for dogs with sensitivities or allergies. Below are the key advantages explained:

• Single animal protein: Reduces the likelihood of allergic reactions by using one protein source.
• Fewer allergens: Less ingredients limit exposure to potential irritants that cause stomach upset.
• Reduced stomach sensitivity: Ideal for dogs with chronic digestive issues or upset stomachs.
• Aids weight loss: Helps manage weight by eliminating junky fillers.
• Supports skin & digestive health: Alleviates food-related itchy skin and promotes better digestion.
• High nutritional quality: Delivers essential nutrients without compromising on quality.
• Helps identify food allergies: Simplifies determining which ingredients may cause adverse reactions.
• Recommended by vets: Trusted by veterinarians for treating food intolerance in dogs and related issues.

Best Limited Ingredient Dog Food

Let's take a look at some of the best limited ingredient dog foods available today.

1. KOHA Limited Ingredient Dog Food

KOHA Limited Ingredient Dog Food is gently formulated to be digestible and gentle on your pet’s system. Each unique recipe features just one animal protein source, making them the prime choice for dogs with severe food sensitivities or digestive issues. With irresistibly delicious flavors, including duck, beef, lamb, turkey, salmon, and pork, your dog will eagerly anticipate mealtime again. 

Free from junky fillers such as potatoes, wheat, corn, soy, and carrageenan, you can feel confident feeding your dog and not worry about upsetting their sensitive stomach.

KOHA also offers Limited Ingredient Bland Diet recipes that are available in both wet and dry formulas, featuring rice and pumpkin for digestive support. 

The wet formula provides a soft, moisture-rich meal that supports hydration and gentle digestion, while the dry formula offers the convenience of kibble with a bone broth coating for enhanced flavor and easy digestibility. 

Both options are formulated with a single animal protein and carefully selected ingredients, like white or brown rice and pumpkin, to promote optimal gut health and well-being.

 

Additional Dog Food Products

Bland Diet: Single animal protein recipes with chicken & white rice, gently formulated for sensitive stomachs, and available with both wet and dry options

Minimal Ingredient Stews: Chunks of meat in a rich savory gravy

Pure Shreds for Dogs: Tender, shredded meat in a delectable broth

Slow Cooked Stews: Home-style cooking delivered through tender meat cuts in a tempting gravy

Freeze-Dried Raw Bites: Bite-sized freeze-dried raw meat designed for treating, topping or serving as a complete meal

Freeze-Dried Raw Toppers: Crumbled freeze-dried raw meat, perfect for enhancing any meal

Treats: Delicious and nutritious limited ingredient dog treats your pet will love

Pros:

Novel protein options such as kangaroo and venison fo the most extreme food sensitivities

Emphasizes a single meat per recipe for less potential for allergies

Offers high meat content to support lean muscle mass 

Avoids junky fillers to help manage weight and avoid food sensitivities

Cons: 

Currently only ships to the US 

Say goodbye to tummy troubles and treat food intolerance in dogs with KOHA Limited Ingredient Dog Food!

Explore KOHA Limited Ingredient Dog Food

2. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Dog Food

Natural Balance aims to deliver balanced nutrition for all dogs, both with and without food sensitivities. Their limited ingredient recipes focus on single-source animal proteins and carbohydrates. Pet owners choose from wet or dry meals, treats, toppers, and biscuits. 

Additional Dog Food Products:

Original Ultra Dry Dog food in a variety of flavors, including grain-free

Freeze-dried toppers are limited-ingredient and come in two flavors

Wet food that also includes Fat Dogs for overweight pups, Platefuls which cook in bone broth, and Delectable Delights to serve as a meal or a topper

Dog treats that include Crunchy Biscuits, Mini Rewards for training, and Jumpin’ Stix

Pros:

Single protein options

Various meals for breed sizes and ages

Emphasizes research-backed recipes

Cons: 

Includes filler ingredients like potato and oats 

Some products may not be suitable for pets with specific protein allergies.

3. Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet (Skin & Stomach Care)

Blue Buffalo offers a range of pet foods designed with food sensitivities in mind. They formulated their BLUE Basics line with the aim of promoting gentle digestion. Their offerings come in dry or wet form and vary based on breeds, age, and dietary needs. Owners can choose from flavors like salmon in gravy, duck & potato, turkey & potato, whitefish & potato, and more.

Additional Dog Food Products

Blue Life Protection formula

Blue Wilderness

Blue True Solutions

Blue Freedom

Blue Natural Veterinary Diet 

Baby Blue

Pros:

Formulations specific to adult, small breed, large breed, puppies and senior dogs

Single protein source recipe

No corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives

Cons: 

All of their limited ingredient recipes contain potato

Their ingredients list includes filler-type ingredients like oats

Some recipes include controversial ingredients, like pea fiber, pea protein, and dried yeast.

4. Hill's Science Diet Small Bites Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food

Owned by Colgate-Palmolive, Hill’s Science has the manufacturing power of a large corporation to produce a wide variety of food options. This dry food formulation purports to be easy-to-digest, with its key point of difference being its smaller kibble size. 

Additional Dog Food Products

Science Diet (a variety of dry and wet treats and foods) 

Prescription Diet (available only by veterinary prescription)

Pros:

Contains Omega 6s and Vitamin E

Includes fiber to aid in the digestive process

Protein (chicken) is the first ingredient on their list

Cons: 

Not soy or grain free

Contains filler ingredients including barley, wheat, corn, and sorghum

5. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Dog Food for Small Breeds

Natural Balance adds to their limited diet selection with special formulations for small breeds. These options include grain-free salmon & sweet potato, grain-free chicken & sweet potato, lamb & brown rice, vegetarian with vegetable broth, grain-free duck & potato, and more. 

Additional Dog Food Products

Original Ultra Dry Dog food in a variety of flavors, including grain-free

Freeze-dried toppers are limited-ingredient and come in two flavors

Wet food that also includes Fat Dogs for overweight pups, Platefuls which cook in bone broth, and Delectable Delights to serve as a meal or a topper

Dog treats that include Crunchy Biscuits, Mini Rewards for training, and Jumpin’ Stix

Pros:

Different protein offerings

Little jaws and teeth won’t have trouble eating this kibble

Most recipes are single meat

Cons: 

All recipes include potatoes, a filler ingredient

6. Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe

Instinct is a raw food brand that provides minimally processed, high protein, and uncooked offerings. Their menu offerings range from 100% raw frozen or freeze-dried meals to 20% raw kibble and toppings, to raw-inspired wet food. options. Flavor profiles include chicken, beef, rabbit, lamb, beef & cod, and pollock. 

Additional Dog Food Products

Frozen Raw Meals

Freeze Dried Raw Meals 

Raw Kibble

Raw Toppers

Raw Coated Kibble 

Pros:

One animal protein and one vegetable

No artificial colors, preservatives, corn, dairy, eggs, potato, soy or wheat

Cons: 

Contains peas and pea protein, which provide no nutritional value

Salmon recipe is not single meat - contains cod

7. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein

Royal Canin started in France over 50 years ago, when a veterinarian developed his “yellow soup” for dogs. Today it is a division of the MARS food manufacturing corporation. They manufacture a large menu of dog foods available around the world.

Additional Dog Food Products

Retail Range 

Mature Dogs

Vet Range

Breeder Range

Pros:

Developed by veterinarians as a therapeutic diet

Contains omega-3 fatty acids

Focused on regulating intestinal transit and healthy digestive flora

Cons: 

Protein is not the first ingredient listed

Controversial ingredient, hydrolyzed soy protein, may cause adverse effects

8. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets

The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets range helps vets manage pets with health conditions. The Purina team of nutritionists, scientists, and veterinarians develops each diet with specific nutrient profiles. 

Additional Dog Food Products

Critical Nutrition

Gastroenteric Formula 

Kidney Function canine Formula 

Overweight Management Canine Formula

Veterinary Supplements Canine Calming Care 

Veterinary Supplements Canine Fortiflora 

Pros:

Formulated by nutritionists, scientists, and veterinarians

Only one carbohydrate on the ingredient list

Highly digestible formulation should help nutrient absorption

Cons: 

Only available with a veterinarian prescription

Doesn’t contain any meat-based protein

Consists mostly of corn starch which might cause weight gain over time

9. Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Skin and Stomach Adult

Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Skin and Stomach Adult caters to all breed sizes, in both wet and dry options. It aims to nourish skin and provide a lustrous coat. With a focus on optimal digestive health, the formulations emphasize protein and fiber.

Additional Dog Food Products

Science Diet (a variety of dry and wet treats and foods)

Prescription Diet (available only by veterinary prescription)

Pros:

Available in multiple sizes for smaller and larger dogs

Contains skin-healthy vitamin E and Omega 6 fatty acids

Chicken is the first ingredient on the list

Cons: 

Contains a significant amount of fillers including soybean oil, which can be a source of food allergies and stomach upset

Not a single meat recipe

10. Acana Wholesome Grains Lamb & Pumpkin

Acana formulations offer cooked and raw options, with at least 50% animal ingredients. They purport to balance their recipes with fruit, vegetables and nutrients. Choose from flavors like lamb with apple, pork with squash, duck with pear, and others.

Additional Dog Food Products

Grain-free options

Products organize by breed size and age

Grain-inclusive dry dog food

Health condition-specific foods for weight management, sensitive tummies, high protein, and poultry-free

Pros:

High percentage of animal protein

Novel protein options including lamb and duck

Cons: 

Contains oat groats, oats, sorghum, and sunflower oil, all filler ingredients

Dry food is not as easily digestible for most dogs compared to wet food

 

When to Use Limited Ingredient Dog Food

How do you know if limited ingredient dog food is right for your dog? Limited ingredient dog food is ideal for dogs with chronic allergies, digestive issues, or specific health concerns. 

These diets simplify ingredient lists to minimize potential allergens, making them a top choice for dogs prone to food sensitivities or intolerances. For pets experiencing conditions such as itchy skin, chronic diarrhea, or vomiting, a limited ingredient diet can help isolate problematic components and provide relief.

Additionally, certain limited ingredient foods feature novel protein options, like venison or kangaroo, to address unique dietary needs and avoid common allergens such as chicken or beef. 

Dogs recovering from digestive flare-ups or dealing with conditions like IBD also benefit from the easily digestible, nutrient-dense recipes found in limited ingredient options. 

Finally, limited ingredient diets are excellent for pet parents seeking transparency and control over their dog’s nutrition, ensuring every bite is free from junky fillers and focused on supporting optimal health.

 

More About the Best Limited Ingredient Dog Food

Understanding the benefits and purpose of limited ingredient dog food is key to making informed decisions about your dog’s diet. Here are answers to some common questions about limited ingredient dog food.

What is considered limited ingredient dog food?

Limited ingredient dog food is formulated with a minimal number of ingredients to reduce the risk of food sensitivities or allergies in dogs. It typically contains a single source of animal protein (e.g., salmon, lamb, or duck) and a minimal amount of other ingredients. These formulas avoid common allergens like wheat, corn, soy, and artificial additives.

What is the healthiest dog food to feed your dog?

The healthiest dog food for your pet is one that meets their individual nutritional needs while avoiding ingredients that cause stomach upset or sensitivities. Look for foods that prioritize high-quality animal protein as the first ingredient and pair it with easily digestible ingredients like pumpkin or brown rice.

Additionally, you can seek out foods with added benefits, such as prebiotics and probiotics to support gut health, Omega-3 fatty acids for supporting skin and coat health, and moisture-rich formulations for optimal hydration. Transparent labeling and a commitment to avoiding artificial additives, fillers, and by-products are also essential when choosing the healthiest option for your furry friend.

Is limited ingredient dog food better?

For many dogs, particularly those with sensitive stomachs or food intolerances, limited ingredient dog food can be a better choice compared to other types of dog food. By simplifying the ingredient list, these diets reduce the likelihood of triggering allergies or digestive flare-ups, making them gentler on the digestive system.

Limited ingredient diets are also better for pinpointing specific allergens. If your dog shows signs of discomfort, such as itchy skin, chronic diarrhea, or vomiting, switching to a limited ingredient recipe can help identify the cause while providing balanced, high-quality nutrition.

What should the top 3 ingredients be in dog food?

The top three ingredients in your dog’s food are crucial for delivering essential nutrients and maintaining overall health. Ideally, these should include:

1. A High-Quality Animal Protein: This should always be the first ingredient, as it provides essential amino acids for muscle maintenance and overall energy. Examples include chicken, beef, venison, and salmon.

2. A Digestible Carbohydrate (if included): Ingredients like pumpkin or brown rice offer necessary fiber and energy while being gentle on the stomach.

3. A Healthy Fat Source: Essential fats, such as those from seafood, New Zealand Green Mussel, or marine microalgae oil, support skin and coat health while aiding in nutrient absorption.

 

Choose the Best Limited Ingredient Dog Food

Choosing the right limited ingredient dog food can significantly enhance your pet's quality of life, particularly for dogs with sensitivities or allergies.

With a streamlined ingredient list and an emphasis on high-quality, natural components, KOHA Limited Ingredient Diet recipes ensure that even dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies can have a worry-free, nutritious meal.

So why wait? Make the switch to KOHA Limited Ingredient dog foods today and watch your pet thrive!