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Limited ingredient diets come with one major benefit - pet parents are able to identify exactly what goes into their dog's body and avoid any specific ingredients. While a suitable diet for many dogs, LID diets can also be great for dogs with food sensitivities.
Updated on June 19th, 2026
Some dogs prefer dry dog food to wet, and vice versa. Learn how dry, wet, and other food forms can enhance your dog’s nutrition during mealtime.
Updated on August 7th, 2025
Learn how to care for your dog, recommended diet and training. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on April 9th, 2026
Did you know that what's printed on your dog's food package isn't always straight forward? Learn all the insights behind what's printed on the label.
Updated on November 6th, 2025
Get insights into natural dog food ingredients and learn how they support your pup’s overall health and well-being.
Updated on June 19th, 2026
Hello, and thank you for your question. Dogs with IBD should definitely be on a hypoallergenic diet of some sort. The good news is that there are a wide variety of hypoallergenic diet options. Hill's i/d is actually NOT a hypoallergenic diet. It is a bland diet designed for sensitive stomachs, but not for food allergies. There are two main categories of hypoallergenic diets: 1) Novel protein diets, which consist of protein sources that most dogs have never been exposed to before. This includes venison, duck, kangaroo, rabbit, etc. You would choose the novel protein that you are sure Toby has never eaten before, including through treats or table scraps. 2) Hydrolyzed protein diets most often consist of hydrolyzed soy protein, where the molecule is broken down in such a way that the body does not recognize it as an allergen. These are a good option as well, but it is not guaranteed to work in all dogs. Both types of diets come in wet and dry options (e.g. Hill's z/d comes in wet and dry). I would talk to your vet about trying a brand with a wet option. Once he is weaned onto the new diet, he should be kept on it for a minimum of 8 weeks with no other treats or table scraps. I hope this helps, and that Toby gets better soon!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
I like hydrolyzed protein diets for the hypoallergenic diet trial. Hills z/d and Purina HA are my 2 favorites. They make the protein sources so small that the immune system can not recognize it as an allergen. Diet trials should be continued for 12 weeks to know if they are helping. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There are 2 categories of what we call "Hypoallergenic" diets: 1) Novel Protein: the food is made of a protein we assume your pet has never been exposed to before. Something like duck, fish, venison, rabbit, lamb, bison, beef. The most common allergic protein is chicken not grains. So do not buy a chicken grain free diet and assume you are buying hypoallergenic, because you aren't. 2) Prescription hydrolyzed diets: These can only be bought from a Vet or with a prescription. These diets take the protein and chemically hydrolyze it to a very small size, so small that it isn't recognized by the immune system as an allergenic. I hope this helps and have a great day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Without a full diet history it is impossible to prescribe a diet. Hills z/d is a hydrolyzed formula where all the proteins have been broken down (akin to being pre-digested) into small pieces so the immune system should not react to them and so should resolve the food intolerance symptoms, it is easily digested and highly absorbable by even the most sensitive bowel. A similar, hydrolyzed option is royal canin hypoallergenic or anallergenic and many pets find these extremely palatable. Some cases can do well on a 'novel protein diet' of home prepared food based on a protein source which she has never eaten before. This should be formulated only by a specialist nutritionist - tufts university clinical nutrition team are available by phone or appointment to help with this but it can be extremely expensive and time consuming to feed such a specific and strict diet and commercial brands are often more successful in resolving symptoms in the long term
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Since Cash is a small dog, you might consider one of the more expensive options such as a dehydrated or fresh food diet. They are able to control their ingredients much more easily than a large manufacturing plant does that makes dry food. I have been very pleased with The Honest Kitchen ( https://www.thehonestkitchen.com/ ) and Just Food For Dogs ( https://www.justfoodfordogs.com/ ). Both have foods that will not have chicken and both have options without any poultry. You do not have to worry about the potential addition of chicken fat which a number of dry food companies do as well. If those are not good options for Cash, then you may consider a canned food which again will generally be safer than a dry food at making sure there isn't any chicken contamination. I have been pleased with Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets ( https://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/ ), but be sure to read the labels carefully. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and gives you some ideas. Thanks for using PetCoach.
Updated on September 24th, 2025