Dog Community

Limited Ingredient Foods

Posted : 8/29/2010 12:48:05 AM

I'm curious. Aside from severe allergies, and trying to rule out said allergies, what is the benefit of Limited Ingredient foods? The research I've done into Raw feeding, prey model, grain free, no veggies, just meat, says variety is best. The reasoning behind this seems to be that, dogs need stuff that isn't found in just one type of meat. Rabbit has different nutrients and values than say beef. Chicken is different than Bison. Fish has stuff that Duck doesn't. But the dogs need everything to stay healthy. Why would feeding a limited ingredient food be ok, when feeding just a couple different types of meat is not ok?

Myra

Posted : 8/29/2010 6:02:43 AM

I'm not real clear on the question.

For normal, healthy dogs I think a wide variety of foods is best. Just like with normal, healthy humans. At least in theory it likely makes them (and us) healthier over the long haul.

But for dogs with health issues that may be related to foods (allergies, IBD, seizures, digestive sensitivities, etc.) a wide variety of foods is likely to do more harm to their health than good.

Look at it this way -- I don't have any particular health issues, so I try to get some whole grains in my diet every day. Whole wheat bread and pasta, etc. Lots of nutrients and fiber and complex carbs that are really good for me and help keep me healthy. But that same whole wheat bread that's great for me would be horrible for someone with celiac disease. It would do them more harm than good.

But I do think that even dogs with medical issues related to diet should be fed as widely varied diet as possible (even though it can't be as varied as the diet of a healthy dog could be).

jennie_c_d

Posted : 8/29/2010 9:13:07 AM

Supplements make up the difference. To a sickly dog, variety is NOT the spice of life.

jessies_mom

Posted : 8/30/2010 6:10:37 PM

jennie_c_d
Supplements make up the difference. To a sickly dog, variety is NOT the spice of life.

Yep. Dogs with gastrointestinal problems do better on a limited ingredient food. Jessie has chronic pancreatitis and Monica Segal's recipe for her only has turkey and rice, with lots of supplements. Unless you're very careful, your dog may not get all the nutrients needed on a meat only diet; Monica's raw diets include veggies with the meat, and also include some supplements.