Best 5 Limited Ingredient Dog Food For Your Puppies

The affection and protectiveness that we feel for our pets has often been compared to the emotional attachment we have for our family, and even our babies. We always want the best for our little pups – the best toys, the safest house to play in, and the most nourishing food. And this is where it can get really confusing.

There are a puzzling variety of options available today which all work differently to nourish your pup. For quick and easy meals there are canned dog food stuffs available, brands which claim to contain secret ingredients for health benefits, and those which have special formulas. There is an entire industry of dog food production masquerading as vet-approved and certified, and thus it is important to figure out what to buy.

You must be aware of any and all ingredients that your dog may be intolerant or allergic to. This eliminates quite a few options in a go. A very useful and often recommended tip is to purchase the limited ingredient dog food that is sold both online and in the markets. The least cumbersome option accessible to all is to buy this off the internet.

Understanding what limited ingredient dog food is

Scientifically speaking, veterinary nutritionists and dieticians use a range of limited ingredient food to identify the nature and cause of any dog’s allergic reactions to food. They define limited ingredient dog foods as limited antigen foods or hypoallergenic dog foods. These are ideally supposed to be made out of a single protein and a single carbohydrate source.

The materials used in the processing of such food vary greatly from one brand to another, and may contain protein and carbohydrate rich ingredients anywhere from one to nine in number. A lot of commonly used protein components include regular meat, eggs, red meat, rabbit, and even salmon. Green peas are also used often as the carbohydrate source, although they are now being increasingly replaced with healthier food grains. The difference between two brands depends upon the choice of the protein and carbohydrate sources and the ratio in which they are used.

The idea is that limited ingredient food contains all the necessary nutritious elements required by your dog and serves to function as the easiest way of ensuring their balanced diet.

How should you switch to a limited ingredient food diet?

If you are switching to a limited ingredients food diet for your dog then the first step is to consult your vet for advice. Every dog is different, and their requirements are varied and determined by factors such as metabolism rate, body weight, and adverse health reactions to certain products.

You can slowly introduce limited ingredients food into their diet before making a sudden swift change. This is especially the case if your vet has suggested using this food to determine causes of any allergies your dog may have, or if they have digestive problems. Generally these products are not harmful and the benefits outweigh the disadvantages and side effects (if any)

Choosing the best limited ingredients dog food

Aside from going for the brand that your vet advices you opt for, there are a few other ways to determine which brand will work best for your pet. Looking up the list of ingredients at the back is one sure way to figure out if the particular product in question is healthy for your dog or not. Read on to know more about the details of some limited ingredients dog foods which are the best in business.

1) Kennel Kitchen

Kennel Kitchen is one of the finest in the market, but rather a pricier option. There are two options available for any chosen product, one for small breeds and one for larger ones. Small breed dogs include pugs, pomerians, and the like whereas large dog breeds refer to Labradors, German shepherds, and huskies, among others. You can be assured that this food is prepared using only the best ingredients and thus it ensures the maximum nutrition for your dog.

Key Advantages

1. Due to a lack of fillers (such as corn) and added artificial flavours, this is very good for gut health and ideal for dogs with digestive issues.
2. The ratio is kept at 70% meat at 30% carbohydrates. The carbohydrates are primarily from fresh vegetables, and certain added fruits. Their products are clearly marked with the sign of having no grains such as wheat.
3. The meat used is essentially chicken allowed to slowly air dry at a controlled low temperature. This allows all the goodness to be packed in without losing any integral nutrition value. There are also added superfoods including carrots, flax seeds, thyme, basil, cranberry, mango (extensive list provided on boxes) which boost immunity and fulfill the daily antioxidant requirements.
4. You can find a host of different flavours other than chicken to suit the taste buds of your furry friend. Some of the more popular choices include salmon and lamb.

Things to keep in mind 

The product is made in the Netherlands, but marketed and sold in India. Thus there are added preservatives but it is recommended that you store it in a cool, dry place, and preferably in containers. Ensure that the food is consumed by your dog within a month of tearing open the seal.

The standard size (3 kg pack) costs Rs. 1900, but you might get a discounted price when shopping on Amazon.

You can buy this product here.

2) BLUE Basics Limited Ingredient Diet

BLUE Basics is a bestselling limited ingredients dog food brand, mainly suitable for adult dogs. It is yet another great choice, especially if you require a steady supply for your dog’s daily diet. This is because the standard packaging is available in 10 kg worth of food, which lasts longer.

Key Advantages

1. This is a healthy option for dogs with sensitive digestive systems. This limited ingredient product does not contain any beef, chicken, eggs, soy, wheat, or dairy, yet is filled with essential proteins and carbohydrates necessary for a balanced diet.
2. There are no combinations of proteins in this dry dog food as turkey is the primary animal protein component. For the carbohydrate portion, pumpkin, potatoes, and peas are used. This combination is very easy on the stomach and supports easy digestion while promoting gut health.
3. The lack of by products, artificial flavours, harmful preservatives, and fillers makes the ingredients as close to their natural form as possible.
4. BLUE has crafted an intricate blend of important minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that they term as their ‘LifeSource Bits’. The use of this formula in their dog food ensures a comprehensive approach to a healthy lifestyle in which food is not only nutritious, but also builds immunity and helps in growth.

Things to remember

Storage becomes an important issue because of the lack of preservatives. The 10 kg pack tends to last longer and thus proper refrigeration is necessary to ensure that the product does not go bad.

This product is not shipped in bulk in India and thus not available on Amazon from a lot of sellers. However it is usually always stocked and you are likely to find it online any time you run out of kibble.

You can buy this product here.

3) Natural Balance

Natural Balance L.I.T. Limited Ingredient Treats are dog biscuits which can be added to their diet for an additional boost to the digestive system. Aside from containing the necessary nutrition, they are also crunchy and great in taste, so your furry friend is sure to love it. Natural Balance also specializes in making high quality canned dog food.

Key Advantages

1. All their products are grain free, no soy, no added fillers, preservatives, or artificial colour. The products are generally meant for all dog breeds and are safe for all kinds of dogs.
2. For the dog biscuits, chicken and sweet potato are the two primary protein and carbohydrate containing elements. There is also a sweet potato and bison formula which you may purchase if it suits your pet better.
3. The dry canned food also has a few options to choose from (such as lamb and brown rice) but the most popular choice is the sweet potato and chicken.
4. There are serving instructions printed at the back of every packet which provides a helpful guide to determine how much of the food you should be giving at a time. It is measured keeping in mind two parameters – body weight, and the nature of their daily diet (if they only consume canned food or are given other snacks).
5. There are also certain essential minerals and vitamins contained in all their products, so you do not have to worry about their daily nutrition requirement.

Things to remember

If your dog has any issues with their dental health, you may want to avoid giving them the biscuits. The biscuits are extra crunchy and their texture is advertised to be pleasing and appetizing to all dogs. While for other dogs this is a plus, it may cause an inadvertent problem if your pet already has sensitive or damaged teeth.

You also have to figure out a proper way of refrigeration and storage once the packs have been opened. If not stored properly they are likely to lose some of the moisture and the original taste.

The items are originally priced at Rs. 17000 but you can get a discount up to 50% when shopping on Amazon.

You can buy this product here.

4) Grain Zero

Grain Zero Adult Dry Dog Food is a great option at a very reasonable and highly affordable price range. This is ideal for pets with weak bones and problems of dental hygiene because of the presence of calcium, phosphorus, and a number of essential vitamins in the recipe.

Key Advantages

1. It contains Omega 3 and Omega 6 Fatty Acids which are beneficial for healthier skin and shiny fur.
2. The primary ingredients include chicken, egg, and fresh farm vegetables. There are no added fillers, corn, or soy products.
3. This is an all breed formula so you can purchase it in bulk and be assured that it will be suited to your dog. For greater clarity on the quantity appropriate for daily consumption, consult the chart provided at the back of the packaging. Here there is a table created based on body weight, and the quantity is indicated by both bowl size and number of grams.

Things to remember

This product is advertised as being fit for consumption from 24 months of the date of manufacture. While this may be true, you have to take great care to ensure the food does not spoil if you are intending on storing it over a long period of time. Keep the remaining food in an airtight container away from the reach of sunlight and moisture.

The item weighing 1.5 kg is priced at Rs. 600. This is an extremely reasonable amount given the quantity and quality of the food sold. If you buy it online at Amazon, you are likely to find a good discounted price and other lucrative payment offers for the same.

You can buy this product here.

5) Hill’s Science Diet

This is a highly trustworthy brand easily available online that caters specifically to the needs of dogs that have sensitive stomachs and skin problems. The formula is crafted carefully to optimize and promote digestion by the addition of necessary nutritious fibres.

Key Advantages

1. It is suitable for all breeds. The use of simplistic ingredients, basic yet high quality materials, and integral vitamins ensures that this food is beneficial to all breeds.
2. Prebiotic fibre is one of the major components of this product, which boosts gut health and helps in easy digestion of meals. Since the raw materials involved are all whole and natural it also ensures easy and maximum absorption of nutrients.
3. The small kibble size makes it easier to break down and chew for dogs with dental health problems.
4. There are a variety of different mixtures and products which can be suited to your dog’s individual needs. You may opt for the one suited for sensitive stomach and skin types, but there are a host of other choices depending on whether you are looking for something for a large breed or a growing puppy.
5. The meals have a choice between lamb and chicken for the protein component whereas for the carbohydrate there are choices between rice, oats, and barley.
6. There is a variety to choose from with respect to the weight of the product or the quantity contained. They are available in a range between 1.8 kg to 15 kg.

Things to remember

Consult your vet before opting for a product that is supposed to benefit your dog’s digestive system or physical growth, as there may be any unwarranted allergic reactions.

This is yet another highly affordable product that is reasonably priced. If you buy it online from Amazon there are also special deals and offers available through which you can opt for a regular delivery of the items at a discounted price.

You can buy this product here.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that while there may be a confusing array of limited ingredients dog food available in the market, the best course of action is to consult your vet and then test out the product by slowly introducing it into the diet. The products listed above are all of high quality and can be used daily, but they all work best when used in conjunction with other nutritious and fibrous food in the diet.