Limited ingredient: how it works for your pets’ sensitivities
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You might have seen it and heard about it on pet food brand labels: limited ingredient. But what does it do for your pets?
What is limited ingredient?
When “limited ingredient” is mentioned, one might think that the pet food being purchased contains fewer ingredients than other formulas. This is correct, as some pet food companies produce a “reduced number of actual ingredients compared to [their] standard kibble products.”[1] The truth of the matter is, “limited ingredient” varies per pet food recipe.
The idea behind it
Limited ingredient diets came about to address health concerns for pets, particularly food sensitivities that may bring about symptoms like excessive itching, shedding, hot spots, gas, and even diarrhea. By eliminating or limiting the ingredients in the food being fed to your cats or dogs, you can help identify the potential source of your pets’ sensitivities.
Allergy-causing ingredients
Chicken and beef are among the top allergenic foods for dogs and cats.[2] Other allergenic ingredients that veterinarians may recommend eliminating from your pets’ diets to help pinpoint sensitivities include dairy, wheat, egg, soy, and pork. Veterinarians may also recommend feeding your pets food they have never had before. That’s where a limited ingredient diet comes in.
What makes it limited
Aside from the obvious, which is a reduced number of ingredients, here’s what makes pet food a limited ingredient diet:
One protein source. Protein is limited to one type, helping support sensitive pets with a more focused recipe.
One source for carbohydrates. Similar to protein, carbohydrates may also be limited in the recipe. For example, some limited ingredient diets contain turkey meat as one single protein source and potatoes as one single carbohydrate source that is easily digested.
Novel protein. Novel protein is a protein source that your pet hasn’t eaten before. New proteins are less likely to trigger food sensitivities because your cat or dog has had little to no previous exposure to them. This limited exposure means your pets may be less likely to develop sensitivities to a new protein. If you think your pet can benefit from novel proteins, you may consider options like salmon, lamb, venison, brushtail, duck, or even kangaroo.
No grains like wheat, corn, and soy. Addiction Vet Diets formulas are grain-free, so you won’t find ingredients that may trigger sensitivities, such as wheat, corn, and soy.
No artificial ingredients. Addiction Vet Diets is formulated without artificial ingredients that may trigger sensitivities in some pets.
Always remember
Food sensitivities in your pets may also be a symptom of another medical condition. Always consult your veterinarian if the condition of your canine or feline friend gets worse or does not improve.
We have to be thoughtful in keeping our pets healthy. Addiction Vet Diets goes further by creating pet food formulas for cats and dogs with carefully selected ingredients and strict safety measures. Your trusted pet food formulas will still be available through selected retail partners.
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References:
- https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/limited-ingredient-dog-food-it-right-your-dog
- https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2017/01/food-allergies/
For further reading:
- https://www.petsmart.com/learning-center/dog-care/put-a-lid-on-it/A0289.html
- https://www.rover.com/blog/hypoallergenic-dog-food-exploring-limited-ingredient-dog-food-for-allergies/
- https://blog.myollie.com/limited-ingredient-diet-for-dogs/