Limited Ingredient Diet is built around one animal protein per recipe, paired with potatoes and, in the kibbles, chickpeas and lentils. All nine recipes are grain free. The six kibbles use lamb (three recipes), duck, venison and salmon. The three wet foods use turkey, lamb, and in one case turkey with chicken.
The kibbles sit in a tight band: protein 20 to 22%, fat 13 to 14% and estimated starch 44.5 to 47.5%, all as fed. The line's average of 20.7% protein is below the catalog kibble average of 26.9%, and its average estimated starch of 46% is above the catalog's 37.4%. Calories run 373 to 460 kcal per cup, averaging 432 against a catalog average of 395. The wet foods carry 7 to 9% protein, averaging 7.7% against a catalog wet average of 8.3%.
The trade-off is a short protein list in exchange for more starch and less protein than typical kibble. Every kibble includes peas or lentils and potato, which matters only to owners who track those ingredients. The duck kibble is marked discontinued.
| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Starch | Kcal / cup | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grain-Free Adult Duck & Lentils Recipe | 22% | 14% | 44.5% | 442 | Duck, Duck Meal, Dried Potatoes |
| Grain-Free Adult Salmon & Lentils Recipe | 22% | 14% | 44.5% | 460 | Salmon, Lentils, Dried Potatoes |
| Grain-Free Large Breed Adult Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe | 20% | 13% | 47.5% | 428 | Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Chickpeas |
| Grain-Free Adult Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe | 20% | 14% | 46.5% | 432 | Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Chickpeas |
| Grain-Free Small Bites Adult Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe | 20% | 14% | 46.5% | 454 | Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Chickpeas |
| Grain-Free Adult Venison Meal & Sweet Potato Recipe | 20% | 14% | 46.5% | 373 | Venison Meal, Dried Potatoes, Lentils |
| Line average | 20.7% | 13.8% | 46% | 432 |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Starch is our estimate, since no bag prints it. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
22% protein · 14% fat · 44.5% starch · 442 kcal/cup · Adult
The only duck kibble, listing duck and duck meal ahead of dried potatoes, chickpeas and lentils, with 22% protein and estimated starch of 44.5%, tied with the salmon recipe for the lowest in the line. It is marked discontinued, so owners who rely on it may want a backup protein.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Grain-Free Adult Duck & Lentils Recipe22% protein · 14% fat · 44.5% starch · 460 kcal/cup · Adult
The only fish kibble, with salmon first, lentils second and fish meal fourth on the list. It ties with the duck recipe for the most protein at 22% and has the most calories in the line at 460 kcal per cup, suiting adult dogs that need more calories per cup.
Full review of Grain-Free Adult Salmon & Lentils Recipe20% protein · 13% fat · 47.5% starch · 428 kcal/cup · Adult
Sold for large breeds, it has the lowest fat of the kibbles at 13% and the most estimated starch in the line at 47.5%. The label notes its lamb meal as a source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, and it suits owners of large adult dogs.
Full review of Grain-Free Large Breed Adult Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe20% protein · 14% fat · 46.5% starch · 432 kcal/cup · Adult
The standard-size lamb kibble, with deboned lamb, lamb meal and chickpeas leading the list and 14% fat. At 432 kcal per cup it sits between the Small Bites version at 454 and the Large Breed version at 428, suiting adult dogs of any size.
Full review of Grain-Free Adult Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe20% protein · 14% fat · 46.5% starch · 454 kcal/cup · Adult
The same lamb, chickpea and potato list as the standard lamb kibble, in a smaller piece sold for small breeds. It has 454 kcal per cup, the most of the three lamb kibbles, a fit for owners of small adult dogs.
Full review of Grain-Free Small Bites Adult Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe20% protein · 14% fat · 46.5% starch · 373 kcal/cup · Adult
The only venison kibble, and the only kibble that opens with a meal rather than fresh meat, followed by dried potatoes, lentils and chickpeas. At 373 kcal per cup it has the fewest calories of the kibbles, suiting owners who want fewer calories per cup.
Full review of Grain-Free Adult Venison Meal & Sweet Potato Recipe| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Moisture | Kcal / kg | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy Turkey, Sweet Potato & Green Bean Recipe Grain-Free | 9% | 7% | 78% | 1,182 | Turkey, Chicken Broth, Chicken |
| Lamb & Potato Recipe Grain-Free | 7% | 7% | 78% | 1,331 | Lamb, Water, Whole Potatoes |
| Turkey & Potato Recipe Grain-Free | 7% | 4% | 78% | 1,033 | Turkey, Turkey Broth, Whole Potatoes |
| Line average | 7.7% | 6% | 78% | 1,182 |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Wet food is mostly water, so compare it with other wet food only. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
9% protein · 7% fat · 419 kcal/can · Adult
The only wet recipe here that adds chicken and chicken liver to turkey, and the only wet one with peas or lentils. At 9% protein it has the most protein of the wet recipes, above the catalog wet average of 8.3%, and it suits adult dogs.
Full review of Healthy Turkey, Sweet Potato & Green Bean Recipe Grain-Free7% protein · 7% fat · 472 kcal/can
The only lamb wet food in the line, with lamb, lamb liver, whole potatoes and potato protein near the top of the list. At 472 kcal per can it has the most calories of the three wet recipes, suiting owners who want more energy per can.
Full review of Lamb & Potato Recipe Grain-Free7% protein · 4% fat · 366 kcal/can
A turkey-only wet recipe built on turkey, turkey broth, turkey liver, whole potatoes and dried potatoes. At 4% fat and 366 kcal per can it has the least fat and fewest calories of the wet recipes, suiting owners who want a lighter can.
Full review of Turkey & Potato Recipe Grain-FreeYes. All six kibbles and all three wet recipes are grain free. Every kibble contains peas or lentils and potato, while Healthy Turkey, Sweet Potato & Green Bean is the only wet recipe with peas or lentils.
Among the kibbles, Grain-Free Adult Salmon & Lentils and Grain-Free Adult Duck & Lentils both have 22% protein, though the duck recipe is marked discontinued. Among the wet foods, Healthy Turkey, Sweet Potato & Green Bean has the most at 9%.
Grain-Free Adult Venison Meal & Sweet Potato is the lowest-calorie kibble at 373 kcal per cup. Turkey & Potato is the lowest-calorie wet food at 366 kcal per can, and it also has the least fat at 4%.
Protein runs lower than the average kibble we review (22.9% vs 30.1% on a dry matter basis).
Starch is higher than average, at 46% of the food as fed.
100% of recipes lead with a meat, fish or egg ingredient (89% across the site).
100% of recipes are grain-free.
this range, lowest to highest its average average of all 3,205 foods we review
Starch is our estimate from the guaranteed analysis, since no manufacturer prints it. How we work it out
Share of recipes that list each animal protein as an ingredient, not counting oils, fats or flavorings. Useful if your dog has a food sensitivity.
These are not unsafe. They are listed because readers ask about them.
MOST PROTEIN
Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Adult Duck & Lentils Recipe Dry Dog Food
24.4% dry matter
LEAST STARCH
Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Adult Salmon & Lentils Recipe Dry Dog Food
45% as fed
FEWEST CALORIES
Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Adult Venison Meal & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
373 kcal per cup
Our log holds FDA dog food recall notices from 2012 on, so this is not a guarantee that Nutro has never had one. See the recall log
We keep reviews of discontinued recipes online, each with suggested replacements, because bags stay on shelves and in pantries for months.
Ten everyday foods. Safe, In Moderation or Never. No googling, no second guesses. Then share your score with your friends, however embarrassing it turns out to be.
115 foods in the deck. Grapes are in there. So is cheese.
Ten foods, one at a time. Call each one Safe, In Moderation or Never, then flip the card to see if you had it right. The ones you miss are listed at the end.
Keys: 1 Safe 2 Moderation 3 Never Enter Next
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Look it up: estimated starch, calories per cup and every ingredient, for 3,207 foods.
