When pets struggle with constant itching, ear infections, or digestive troubles, food is often a hidden culprit. One of the most reliable ways to uncover the cause is through an elimination diet — a simple but powerful reset that strips your pet’s meals back to the bare essentials. By feeding just one carefully chosen protein (and a plain carbohydrate for dogs, if needed) for several weeks, you give your pet’s body a chance to calm down and start healing, while you gather the clues needed to pinpoint problem foods.
With an elimination diet you must feed one novel protein for their main diet and the same protein for treats. Do not introduce other proteins or ingredients.
If your pet doesn’t like raw pet food, you can gently cook it.
Do not use any additional supplements during the 12 weeks you are doing an elimination diet.
You can safely try an elimination diet with your dog or cat, but it’s best to begin with a simple “stripping back” phase. For twelve weeks, feed only a single, good – quality, low – fat novel protein with no extras or supplements. Any treats must match that protein source and be completely pure — no hidden ingredients. After the twelve weeks, reassess symptoms. If they’ve improved, you can carefully introduce one new protein at a time. If there’s no improvement, continue the stripping-back phase for another week before reconsidering.
Not all raw diets are created equal, and the fat content and quality of the brand you choose can make a big difference in inflammation and overall health. Look for foods with a typical fat analysis under 10%. Brands such as Raised Right, All Provide, and Small Batch offer single protein options that work well for elimination diets. Cats, in particular, often do best with a single protein alone since they are obligate carnivores and don’t require carbohydrates in their diet.
When we talk about “novel protein,” we mean a protein your dog or cat has never — or only rarely — eaten before. The goal is to choose something the immune system hasn’t already flagged as a threat, since that reaction is what triggers inflammation, itching, or digestive upset. For both dogs and cats, it’s best to avoid commonly fed proteins like chicken, beef (including ox and veal), and salmon. Better choices include wild or game proteins such as venison, rabbit,lamb, bison, turkey or duck. These meats tend to have healthier omega-3 levels, which are naturally anti – inflammatory. In contrast, intensively farmed meats often contain more omega – 6 fatty acids, which drive inflammation. By choosing the right proteins, you reduce inflammation directly through diet, rather than relying on supplements that can interfere with the elimination process.
You may also want to remove tripe and other high – histamine foods such as kefir, bone broth, or apple cider vinegar during the trial. While it may take time for the benefits to show, sticking with this strict, simplified approach gives your dog or cat the best chance to heal and helps you clearly identify which foods are safe — and which ones may be contributing to their symptoms.
“How To Do An Elimination Diet For Dogs and Cats To Improve Gut Health And Skin Allergies” by Dr. Katie Woodley.
“How Do You Know If Your Pet Has A Protein Allergy” by Paws of Prey.
“What Is A Rotation And Elimination Diet For My Dog?” by Jessica Fisher.
Novel Proteins and How They Can Benefit your Dog or Cat by Kelly Bone.
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