Limited ingredient dog foods are formulated to reduce the number of ingredients a dog is exposed to in its diet. These diets are used in hypoallergenic dog food trials to diagnose and treat food allergies (adverse reactions to food).
There is conflicting evidence about how common food allergies are in dogs. Approximately 15-20% of allergic dogs have symptoms related to a food allergy. The general rule regarding food allergies and limited ingredient dog foods is that a dog will not be allergic to an ingredient that he has not been exposed to before.
Beef, dairy, chicken and wheat account for 79% of food allergies in dogs. Food allergies to grains other than wheat are rare in dogs.
Here’s what you need to know about limited ingredient dog food and how it can benefit your dog.
What does “limited ingredient dog food” mean?
“Limited ingredient dog food” is not a regulated term. The terms “limited ingredient” or “limited ingredient diet” (LID) are used loosely and even if a food contains fewer ingredients, it does not necessarily mean that those ingredients are suitable for dogs.
Even if you’re looking for a restricted ingredient dog food, be sure to check the ingredients label to see what’s in it. These meals may contain surprising “hidden” ingredients that could be a potential problem for dogs with food allergies.
LID dog foods should have been evaluated for contamination with unwanted ingredients, and studies have shown that prescription versions of limited-ingredient dog foods are less likely to be contaminated with unwanted ingredients. A recent review of multiple studies found that between 33% and 83% of “limited ingredient” pet foods available without a prescription contained ingredients that were not listed on the label.
Consult your veterinarian to determine if a particular diet is right for your dog.
How much material do you mean by “limited”?
There are no set regulations regarding the number of ingredients that limited ingredient dog foods contain. The term indicates that the food contains fewer ingredients than the average dog food formula, but the key consideration is what the ingredients are, not the actual number of ingredients.
What does limited ingredient dog food usually contain?
Limited ingredient dog foods generally contain novel proteins (proteins that are not common in other dog foods) and may also contain unusual carbohydrate sources. LID dog foods may contain carbohydrate sources that are less likely to cause food allergies, such as rice.
Protein in Limited Ingredient Dog Food
In a restricted diet, proteins include:
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Rabbit
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Fish (salmon, trout, whitefish, herring)
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alligator
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Kangaroo
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Venison
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bison
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duck
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pork
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turkey
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lamb
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chicken
It is important to note that just because a non-formula dog food is labeled “limited ingredient” does not mean that it is eligible for hypoallergenic food testing to diagnose food allergies in dogs.
Many of these ingredients, such as lamb, turkey and chicken, are commonly used in popular dog foods, meaning most dogs have consumed them.
Carbohydrates in Limited Ingredient Dog Food
Common carbohydrate sources used in limited ingredient dog foods include:
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potato
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Rice
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sweet potato
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beans
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brown rice
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lentil
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oatmeal
What is the difference between grain free and LID dog food?
A grain-free diet is different from a restricted ingredient diet.
Grain-free diets do not contain any of the grains commonly found in dog foods.
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wheat
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Rice
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Barley
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Oats
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Rye
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corn
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Quinoa
However, while they may be free of grains like corn and wheat, some dog foods with restricted ingredients do contain certain grains.
A restricted-element diet typically includes one or two protein sources and one or two carbohydrate sources. Grain-free diets may include many other food sources and are not necessarily called restricted-element diets.
Does my dog need LID dog food?
Healthy dogs with no existing health issues do not need a restricted ingredient diet.
The most common reason for feeding restricted ingredient dog foods is to diagnose food allergies (adverse reactions to food), and this is currently the only way to diagnose food allergies in dogs. Skin tests, hair or saliva tests, and blood tests are not accurate for diagnosing food allergies.
Dogs with food allergies may show symptoms in the ears, feet, inner thighs, armpits, face and anal area. In up to 25% of dogs with food allergies, with or without an infection, itchy ears may be the only symptom.
Some dogs may have recurring skin infections with or without itching. Some dogs with chronic diarrhea may have an underlying food allergy. 10-15% of dogs with food allergies will also have gastrointestinal symptoms.
Using LID Dog Food to Diagnose Allergies
The principle of hypoallergenic food testing to diagnose food allergies is to introduce foods that your dog has never eaten before. A restricted ingredient diet is often the first choice when a veterinary dermatologist diagnoses a food allergy.
Another type of diet that is commonly used is a hydrolyzed diet, in which proteins are broken down into very small particle sizes so that the body does not recognise them as allergens.
Dietary trials are conducted for 8-12 weeks and require strict adherence: flavored medications, flavored chews or toys, and human foods and treats should be discontinued or replaced with tolerated alternatives.
Any infections present on the skin or ears must also be treated at the same time to determine if the food trial is successful.
Is a dog food with limited ingredients better?
Even if you don’t think your dog has allergies, you may find LID dog food to be better than other dog foods simply because it has fewer ingredients.
But fewer ingredients doesn’t mean much in itself unless those ingredients are of high quality: You could make a food for humans that only has three ingredients, but those ingredients could be corn syrup, food coloring, and artificial preservatives.
If you suspect your dog may have a food allergy, you may be wondering which dog food is best: restricted ingredient dog food, grain-free dog food, or gluten-free dog food. Veterinarians do use restricted ingredient diets to diagnose allergies, so you should talk to your veterinarian about starting a food trial and determining which formula is best.
Grain-free and gluten-free diets may be beneficial for some dogs, but only a small percentage of dogs are reported to be adversely affected by grains compared to protein. Grain-free and gluten-free diets may or may not be restricted ingredient diets.
Whether you’re concerned about dog food allergies or not, your veterinarian is the best person to help you choose what type of diet is best for your dog.
Featured Image: iStock.com/Edafoto
