Limited-ingredient cat food relies on a short list of high-quality ingredients to deliver balanced nutrition. These products are often formulated with a single source of animal protein to optimize digestibility and limit adverse food reactions.
As it applies to commercial cat food, the term “limited-ingredient” is comparative and not clearly defined. However, several key features differentiate products in this category from the typical kibble or canned food. If your cat is struggling with digestive issues or food allergies and your veterinarian recommends a limited-ingredient diet (LID), we’re here to help.
In this guide, we’ll discuss what limited-ingredient cat food looks like and the benefits it might provide for certain cats. We’ll also offer recommendations for the top 10 LID cat foods on the market.
The 10 Best Limited Ingredient Cat Food Brands
When shopping for LID cat food, there are two easy ways to narrow down the options. The first option is exclusionary—shop for products that don’t contain ingredients you know your cat is allergic or sensitive to. The second is inclusionary—limit your search to products that feature protein or carbohydrate sources you know your cat can tolerate.
To help you find the right limited-ingredient cat food for your cat, we’ve broken down our recommendations by food type, life stage, and key ingredients. We consider a variety of factors in determining our recommendations, so our top pick might not be the best option for your cat. In many cases, finding the right LID takes some trial and error.
#1 Overall Best: Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Real Turkey Paté
Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UOU7bv
Made with a single source of animal protein and a short list of easily digestible ingredients, this Merrick LID canned food is our top choice. Turkey is a novel protein for many cats, so this could be a good choice for cats with food allergies. It’s also available in chicken flavor.
With its meat-centered formula and high moisture content, this LID recipe is a species-appropriate choice for cats. It contains about 41% protein and 27% fat, both measured as dry matter. The dry matter carbohydrate content is relatively low and there are no hard-to-digest beans or legumes in this grain-free formula.
At around $0.50 per ounce, this limited-ingredient recipe is priced similarly to the average premium canned food. Merrick is a popular brand, so the food should be easy to find in pet stores and online. My cats enjoyed the flavor and the texture was moist and soft.
What We Liked:
- Made with a single, novel protein source
- Relatively low in carbohydrates
- Short list of easily digestible ingredients
- Good source of hydrating moisture
What We Didn’t Like:
- Guar gum might trigger loose stools in sensitive cats
- Not appropriate for cats with poultry allergies
#2 Best Dry Food: Young Again LID Zero Mature Dry Cat Food
Some cats prefer the crunch of kibble over soft paté or chunky wet food. Dry cat food generally contains more ingredients than wet food—it’s necessary for processing—but this LID Zero Mature recipe from Young Again keeps things pretty simple. Young Again considers any cat that has stopped growing mature—this recipe isn’t just for senior cats.
Featuring hydrolyzed pork as the main ingredient, this dry food is designed for digestibility. Hydrolysis is a water-based process that breaks protein molecules down into tiny pieces, making them less likely to trigger an adverse reaction. Although pork is the only protein source in this recipe, it also contains both chicken fat and fish oil, so this recipe might not be appropriate for cats that are sensitive to chicken or fish.
This Young Again recipe contains a blend of prebiotics and probiotics to help improve digestibility. The ingredient list looks long, but aside from supplements, it only contains protein, fat, yeast for flavoring, guar gum as a binder, and psyllium husk as a source of dietary fiber.
Measured as dry matter, this food contains 60% protein and the digestible carbohydrate content is under 5%. It comes in tiny round kibbles that my cats found easy to eat. They were intrigued by the food’s aroma and seemed to like the flavor.
What We Liked:
- Single protein source is hydrolyzed for digestibility
- Relies on species-appropriate animal fat
- Very low carbohydrate content
- Supplemented with prebiotics and probiotics
What We Didn’t Like:
- No dry food provides the hydration your cat needs
- Might not be appropriate for cats that are sensitive to chicken or fish
- Not sold on Amazon or Chewy
#3 Best Wet Food: Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe Canned Food
Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3yawZvh
When it comes to limited-ingredient cat food, Ziwi Peak has a wide variety to choose from. In addition to air-dried recipes, there are five single-protein canned foods and two multi-protein formulas. You’ll see the standard options like chicken and beef, as well as novel proteins like lamb, rabbit, mackerel, and venison.
This lamb recipe is protein-packed and moisture-rich and made with 92% meat, organs, and New Zealand green mussels. It contains about 43% protein (measured as dry matter) that comes from a carnivore-appropriate blend of lamb muscle meat and lamb organs. New Zealand green mussels supply supplementary protein, as well as omega-3 fatty acids and joint-supporting glucosamine and chondroitin.
While Ziwi Peak canned foods are meat-centric, they do contain chickpeas, which elevates the carbohydrate content. Overall, however, they’re still easily digestible and popular with picky eaters. Because this recipe also contains New Zealand green mussel, it might not be the best option if your cat is sensitive to fish or seafood. The food is a little pricey, but it’s fairly calorie-dense, which helps limit feeding costs.
What We Liked:
- Made with a single source of novel protein
- Carnivore-appropriate blend of meat, organs, and bone
- Rich in animal-sourced omega-3 fatty acids
- Good source of hydrating moisture
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains chickpeas, elevates the carb content
- Might not be appropriate for cats sensitive to fish
- Costs over $0.70 per ounce
#4 Best for Kittens: Tiki Cat Baby Chicken & Egg Recipe Wet Cat Food
Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4b4w2TO
Whether your kitten has a sensitive stomach or you just want to give them a nutritional headstart with a limited-ingredient diet, Tiki Cat’s line of kitten foods is a great option. The food’s soft texture makes it a great choice for weaning kittens, but it’s nutritionally complete for cats in all life stages. My senior cats loved this food.
This formula features chicken, chicken liver, and egg as the only protein sources. Sunflower seed oil is the primary added fat, but the food also contains salmon oil. Salmon oil is a species-appropriate source of DHA to support your kitten’s brain development, but its addition means this recipe might not be appropriate for cats that are sensitive to fish.
Not only is this canned food rich in hydrating moisture but it’s finely shredded and easy for kittens to chew. The food has plenty of broth for your kitten to lap up and there are no starchy additives or hard-to-digest beans and legumes. Measured as dry matter, the protein content is 62.5% and the carbohydrate content is negligible.
What We Liked:
- Short list of easily digestible ingredients
- Soft, finely shredded texture is easy to chew
- Rich in hydrating moisture
- Very low in carbohydrates
What We Didn’t Like:
- Could become expensive to feed as your kitten grows
- Might not be appropriate for cats that are sensitive to egg or fish
#5 Best for Seniors: Weruva Truluxe Glam ’N Punk with Lamb & Duck in Gelee Canned Cat Food
Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UNfKZU
Formulated with high inclusions of meat and hydrating moisture, the Truluxe line from Weruva comes in an array of flavors. Glam ’N Punk isn’t a single-protein recipe, but it features two novel proteins: lamb and duck. It also contains tuna, so it won’t be appropriate for cats with fish allergies.
Measured as dry matter, this recipe contains 55.5% protein. There are no hard-to-digest beans or legumes, though some cats might be sensitive to gum thickeners like guar gum and xanthan gum. Aside from water, gum thickeners, and supplements, this recipe only contains three proteins and one source of added fat.
The foods’ lower-than-average phosphorus content makes the Truluxe line particularly appropriate for senior cats. Older cats are at an increased risk for kidney issues, and low-phosphorus foods can be beneficial. This Truluxe recipe contains less than 1% phosphorus measured as dry matter.
I found the texture of this recipe a little odd compared to other Truluxe formulas but my cats weren’t bothered by it. It’s somewhere in between smooth and chunky but overall moist and easy to chew.
What We Liked:
- Reduced phosphorus might benefit kidney health
- Made with novel protein sources
- Low carbohydrate content
- Good source of hydrating moisture
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains three protein sources
- Guar gum might trigger loose stools in sensitive cats
#6 Best Chicken-Free: Primal Venison Nuggets Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UOr0Fn
Chicken is one of the most common cat food allergens. While food allergies in cats are typically triggered by proteins, some cats also have trouble tolerating fat from the same source. If you’re looking for an entirely chicken-free formula, Primal has a couple—including novel proteins like this venison recipe.
Made with venison muscle meat, venison organs, and ground venison bone, this recipe contains nearly 57% dry matter protein. The rest of the ingredients consist of organic produce and botanicals, probiotics, and vitamin supplements. Cod liver oil and fish oil provide omega-3 fatty acids, but their inclusion means this recipe might not be appropriate for cats that are sensitive to fish.
I typically order the rabbit recipe and found these venison nuggets very hard by comparison, but it’s likely due to the lower moisture content of the recipe. I was still able to crush the nuggets and rehydrate the food in warm water. My cats rarely eat venison, so they really liked the food.
What We Liked:
- Carnivore-appropriate blend of meat, organs, and bone
- Made with a single novel protein source
- Shelf-stable alternative to raw frozen food
- Supplemented with probiotics for digestive support
What We Didn’t Like:
- Might not be appropriate for cats that are sensitive to fish
- Some recipes might be harder and drier than others
- Costs over $3 per ounce
#7 Best Fish-Free: Stella & Chewy’s Absolutely Rabbit Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Morsels
Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4dziFgf
It’s relatively easy to find chicken-free freeze-dried cat food but many recipes still contain fish oil—like the previous pick from Primal. If you’re looking for an entirely fish-free, limited-ingredient formula, my personal favorite is Stella & Chewy’s Absolutely Rabbit. My cats love the flavor and I find the small nuggets easy to portion and rehydrate.
This formula primarily consists of rabbit with ground bone and rabbit liver. Olive oil is the only added fat source, though the pumpkin seed might contribute some. With its short list of main ingredients and the addition of probiotics, this recipe is easily digestible for most cats. Measured as dry matter, the food contains 46% protein and 32.6% fat.
The downside of this formula is the price—it costs more than $3 an ounce. Stella & Chewy’s also offers more common proteins like chicken, beef, and turkey. These recipes cost as little as $2.50 per ounce depending on the product volume.
What We Liked:
- Made with a single novel protein source
- Doesn’t contain fish protein or fish oils
- Short list of easily digestible ingredients
- Supplemented with probiotics
What We Didn’t Like:
- Somewhat pricey, more than $3 per ounce
#8 Best with Fish: Open Farm Rustic Blend Wild-Caught Salmon Wet Cat Food
If you know your cat tolerates a specific protein well, you might find yourself shopping for LID recipes that feature it. Made with wild Pacific salmon as the only protein source, this Open Farm wet cat food recipe is a great option for cats that tolerate fish.
Open Farm uses ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients and all of their products are 100% human-grade. Instead of cans, the wet food comes in resealable and recyclable cardboard cartons. Open Farm’s wet food has a very moist texture—it’s closer to pureed soup than the typical paté.
My cats love Open Farm’s wet foods because they’re easy to lap up. This particular recipe contains over 44% dry matter protein and is fairly low in calories. However, if your cat has trouble digesting beans and legumes, this formula might not be ideal.
What We Liked:
- Fish is the only source of animal protein
- Doesn’t contain non-fish animal fats
- Very moist with a soft texture easy to lap up
- Made with ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients
What We Didn’t Like:
- Relies heavily on beans and legumes
#9 Best with Beef: Feline Natural Canned Beef Feast Wet Cat Food
Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3yi3oQu
When it comes to beef-based cat food formulas, this recipe from Feline Natural is a great option. It consists primarily of beef muscle meat, an array of beef organs, and even beef blood. Though it might not sound appealing to humans, beef blood is safe for cats and is a rich source of minerals like iron and vitamin D.
Because this food consists of 98% beef and organs, it’s very protein-rich. That said, there’s no added starch to give the product a cohesive texture, so it separates a little bit inside the can. Once I stirred it up, it looked similar to other meat-based cat foods and my cats liked it.
While beef is the primary protein source in this recipe, it also contains New Zealand green mussels and fish oil. If your cat is sensitive to fish or seafood, this recipe might not be the best option.
What We Liked:
- Made with 98% beef muscle meat and organs
- Rich source of hydrating moisture
- Very low in carbohydrates
What We Didn’t Like:
- Might not be appropriate for cats sensitive to fish
- Appearance can be a little off-putting when first opened
#10 Best with Pork: Vital Essentials Pork Entree Freeze-Dried Raw Mini Patties
Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UxqQkv
If you know your cat tolerates pork well, this freeze-dried formula from Vital Essentials should be an easily digestible choice. It contains little more than pork muscle meat and pork organs. Herring oil, a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, is the only other ingredient aside from a handful of nutrient supplements.
Priced just under $3 per ounce, this Vital Essentials recipe is modestly priced for freeze-dried food. The large patties are easy to break up and they crush easily for rehydrating purposes. My cats enjoyed the flavor and I liked that it was easy to mix with other foods.
What We Liked:
- Large patties are easy to break apart and rehydrate
- Made with pork as a single source of protein
- Short list of easily digestible ingredients
- Herring oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids
What We Didn’t Like:
- Might not be appropriate for cats sensitive to fish
What To Look for in Cat Food With Limited Ingredients
In theory, limiting the number of ingredients in your cat’s diet—specifically the number of protein and carbohydrate sources—might improve its digestibility. Because of this, limited-ingredient diets are frequently recommended for cats struggling with digestive issues or food allergies.
There’s no standard for how many ingredients a limited-ingredient cat food product should contain and no special rules regarding product formulation, manufacturing processes, or even ingredient quality. A product doesn’t even have to have “limited-ingredient” or “LID” in the name.
It’s often the task of the cat owner to identify LID cat food by comparing it with other products. Prioritizing products that provide complete and balanced nutrition appropriate for your cat’s life stage, here are some qualities to look for in a limited-ingredient cat food:
Short List of Main Ingredients
Most commercial cat foods contain synthetic nutrient supplements and additives to improve the flavor, texture, or cohesiveness of the product. Limited-ingredient cat food might still contain these but the bulk of the formula comes from a short list of high-quality ingredients.
Look for a product that contains fewer than 10 main ingredients divided between the recipe’s protein, fat, and carbohydrate sources. You can consider anything that appears before the first nutrient supplement as a main ingredient.
Single Source of Protein
Many limited-ingredient cat foods contain a single source of protein and some contain a single source of carbohydrate. If your cat has food allergies, it’s important to identify the specific allergen and look for an LID that doesn’t contain it. Many LID cat foods contain novel proteins like lamb, venison, turkey, duck, or rabbit.
Easily Digestible Ingredients
As obligate carnivores, cats are better equipped to digest animal products than plants. Look for a limited-ingredient recipe that relies primarily on animal-sourced protein and fat. Aim for dry matter carbohydrate content under 10% and prioritize nutritious carbohydrates (like whole grains and vegetables) over nutrient-depleted starches and hard-to-digest beans and legumes.
Your veterinarian is a valuable resource for diagnosing and resolving your cat’s dietary concerns. If you suspect food allergies, your vet might recommend an elimination diet for your cat to identify the allergen, followed by a long-term limited-ingredient diet.
