Here are widely recommended limited‑ingredient (LID) dog‑food brands and what they’re best known for. If your dog has suspected food allergy or chronic skin/GI signs, follow a vet‑supervised elimination trial—see the bottom for quick guidance and important safety notes.

Top limited‑ingredient brands (good starting points)

• Natural Balance L.I.D. — long‑standing LID line with both grain‑inclusive and grain‑free recipes; frequently used for simple elimination trials. (dogfoodadvisor.com)
• Canidae PURE — “10 ingredients or fewer” style recipes (both grain‑inclusive and grain‑free); well‑reviewed for clean ingredient lists. (dogfoodadvisor.com)
• Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet — several single‑protein recipes (dry and canned); popular for palatability and named proteins. (dogfoodadvisor.com)
• Wellness Simple — single‑source protein formulas aimed at sensitive stomachs/skin; available in dry and canned. (pawdiet.com)
• Zignature (Limited Ingredient) — single‑protein recipes that avoid common allergens (many owners report improvement with allergies). (pawdiet.com)
• Blue Buffalo Basics — limited‑ingredient line with simple recipes and LifeSource Bits (some grain‑inclusive and grain‑free options). (dogfoodadvisor.com)
• Nutro Limited Ingredient / Instinct Limited Ingredient — other commonly used LID options with single‑source proteins and straightforward ingredient lists. (widely sold & reviewed). (petside.com)

Veterinary / prescription options (used for diagnosis or severe cases)

• Hill’s Prescription Diet d/d and Royal Canin Hydrolyzed/Ultamino — hydrolyzed or veterinary‑novel protein diets are considered gold standard for elimination trials and diagnosing true food allergy; these are available only through your veterinarian. (hillspet.com)

Quick guidance on choosing and using an LID

• Prefer single, named animal protein + one easy carbohydrate (e.g., “salmon & sweet potato” or “duck & potato”). Check the full ingredient list for hidden proteins. (dogfoodadvisor.com)
• If you’re doing a diagnostic food trial, veterinary teams usually recommend a veterinary novel or hydrolyzed prescription diet (over OTC LID foods) because of dedicated manufacturing and lower risk of cross‑contamination. Elimination trials are typically fed for ~8 weeks (skin signs may take up to 12 weeks). (vcahospitals.com)
• Be careful with “grain‑free” marketing: the FDA and veterinary groups investigated possible links between some grain‑free/legume‑heavy diets and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Don’t make major long‑term changes without discussing risks/benefits with your vet. (fda.gov)

How to proceed (recommended)

1. If your dog has mild, new digestive upset or itchiness, try a short transition to a simple LID from the list above and watch for improvement. Use only foods/treats that match the trial diet. (dogfoodadvisor.com)
2. If signs are moderate/severe or you want a definitive diagnosis, ask your vet about an 8–12 week elimination trial (ideally using a veterinary novel or hydrolyzed prescription diet). Follow strict rules (no other treats/table scraps, separate bowls, etc.). (vcahospitals.com)
3. If you confirm a food allergy, your vet will help you pick a long‑term plan (avoidance, or continued use of a safe LID). Keep a record of all foods/treats your dog eats.

If you want, tell me:

• your dog’s main problem (itching, ear infections, diarrhea, vomiting, picky eating), age and weight, and whether you prefer dry/wet/fresh or prescription options — I can suggest 2–3 specific recipes (and shopping tips) matched to that situation.

Sources (examples cited above): Dog Food Advisor and brand reviews for recipe details and ratings; FDA and AKC summaries on grain‑free/DCM; VCA/Purina guidance on elimination trials; Hill’s & Royal Canin product pages for veterinary hydrolyzed diets. (dogfoodadvisor.com)