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Hills Prescription Diet Z/D Canine Dog Food Review (Dry)

Home Reviews Hills Prescription Diet Z/D Canine Dog Food Review (Dry)

Hills Prescription Diet Z/D Canine Dog Food Review (Dry)

By Mike Sagman

Updated: March 25, 2024

The Hills Prescription Diet Z/D Canine product line includes the two dry dog foods listed below. Each is designed to help with the support of pets with skin or food sensitivities.

Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

Hills Prescription Diet Z/D Canine Original Flavor was selected to represent both products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient in this dog food is corn starch, a starchy powder extracted from the endosperm found at the heart of a kernel of corn. Corn starch is most likely used here to thicken the broth into a gravy.

Corn starch isnt a true red flag item. Yet weve highlighted here for those wishing to avoid corn-based ingredients.

The next two ingredients are hydrolyzed chicken liver and hydrolyzed chicken, organ and muscle meat that have been chemically broken-down into their component amino acids. Hydrolyzed proteins are considered hypoallergenic.

The fourth ingredient is powdered cellulose, a non-digestible plant fiber usually made from the by-products of vegetable processing. Except for the usual benefits of fiber, powdered cellulose provides no nutritional value to a dog.

The fifth ingredient is soybean oil. Soybean oil is red flagged here only due to its rumored (yet unlikely) link to canine food allergies.

However, since soybean oil is high in omega-6 fatty acids and contains no omega-3s, its considered less nutritious than flaxseed oil or a named animal fat.

The sixth ingredient is calcium carbonate, likely used here as a dietary mineral supplement.

The seventh ingredient is dicalcium phosphate, likely used here as a dietary calcium supplement.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this Hills product.

With 4 notable exceptions

First, we find no mention of probiotics, friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing to help with digestion.

Next, this recipe contains sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.

In addition, we note the use of taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.

And lastly, the minerals listed here do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually associated with higher quality dog foods.

Nutrient Analysis

Although this is a prescription product, our review has nothing to do with the accuracy of claims made by the manufacturer as to the products ability to treat or cure a specific health condition.

So, to find out whether or not this dog food is appropriate for your particular pet, you must consult your veterinarian.

With that understanding

Based on its ingredients alone, Hills Prescription Diet Z/D Canine looks like an average dry dog food.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 20%, a fat level of 14% and estimated carbohydrates of about 58%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 20% and a mean fat level of 15%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 58% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 73%.

Below-average protein. Near-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.

Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a limited amount of meat.

Hill's Dog Food Recall History

The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Hill's through April 2024.

No recalls noted.

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.

Our Rating of Hill's Grain-Inclusive Dog Food

Hills Prescription Diet Z/D Canine is a grain-inclusive dry dog food using a limited amount of hydrolyzed chicken liver as its main source of animal protein.

However, due to its intentional therapeutic design, this dog food is not rated.

3 Best ZD Dog Food Alternatives: Choosing the Right One

Zack Keithy, our author, is a certified veterinarian technician (UC Blue Ash) for over 6 years (contact him here). The articles written here are based on his expertise and experience, combined with a review by our expert vet reviewers including Dr M. Tarantino. Learn more about us here.

z/d Dry Dog Food is a well-known brand of prescription pet food from Hills Pet Nutrition that has been on the market for decades.

However, some dog owners are concerned about the quality of the ingredients used in this range, and how these ingredients affect their pets, not to mention that they can get quite expensive too.

If you want to know what dog kibble is comparable to Science diet zd, or youre looking to avoid them because of concerns over their reliability and quality, or seeking a cheaper option, we have good news: there are 3 excellent z/d dog food alternatives available.

Learn about them in this post and a bunch of useful tips about dealing with a dog with food intolerances and allergies.

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Best Alternatives to z/d Dog Food

In the sections below, you will find a few other excellent dog food brands when it comes to a specialized diet for your dog with unique needs.

They are very similar to z/d dog food in terms of their ingredients and the problems they are aiming to solve, which are food sensitivities and skin problems.

Take note: You will need a vets authorization before you can purchase these foods.

Heres a quick overview before you read on:

1. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet HF Hydrolyzed for Food Intolerance Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Key Benefits

• Provide your sensitive dog with the nourishment she requires while still giving her the taste she enjoys
• Made with hydrolyzed salmon, which is a digestible protein source, as well as fish oil and flaxseed, providing nutritious omega-3 fatty acids that support healthy skin and a lustrous coat
• Grain-free and high in antioxidants, which help to maintain a healthy immune system

2. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food

Key Benefits

• Provides full and balanced nutrition for the growth and maintenance of puppies and adult dogs
• A single high-quality protein source and a single carbohydrate source were used to create this product
• Developed specifically for dogs to be highly digestible and encourage maximum nutritional absorption.

3. Royal Canin Canine Ultamino

Key Benefits

• Clinically proven to help reduce skin reactions that may be due to sensitivities to common proteins found in pet foods
• Minimizes the risk of reaction with proteins extensively broken down to a size thats virtually unrecognizable by the immune system
• Reinforces the skin barrier with specific nutrients to support healthy skin in dogs with skin sensitivity and irritation

What is Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food?

Protein is an essential part of any diet that makes up your dogs muscles, hormones, and disease-fighting antibodies.

They get proteins from food, break them down into building blocks known as amino acids, and then combine those amino acids to form new proteins.

The thing is, dietary proteins can sometimes cause an adverse immunological response in some animals.

So proteins are chemically broken down into little fragments by hydrolysis so that the immune system no longer reacts to them.

Hydrolyzed protein dog meals are commonly prescribed by veterinarians to address two conditions in dogs: food allergies and inflammatory bowel disease.

The protein in hydrolyzed dog food has undergone a process called hydrolysis, which breaks down the protein molecules into smaller fragments or peptides.

The purpose of this process is to reduce its allergenicity, which means a dogs immune system is less likely to recognize them as allergens, reducing the chances of an allergic reaction.

Doggy says, read this next: Canidae vs Natural Balance Dog Food: Which to Choose?

What is Hills Science Prescription Diet z/d?

The prescription diet z/d, which uses highly hydrolyzed animal protein and various carbohydrate sources, was formulated by Hills nutritionists and veterinarians to support your dogs skin and food allergies.

Gluten, soy protein, and lactose are among the protein sources that some dog breeds find unacceptable, which are all omitted from the formulation of z/d.

Not only that, the specially created recipe contains a high amount of anti-oxidants, fatty acids, and other nutrients that are important for a dogs nutritional needs.

You see, food sensitivities and intolerances are potentially dangerous conditions that can cause sensitive or irritated skin, coats, and ears.

They are known to also cause stomach-related issues that are distressing to dogs and are characterized by an adverse response to the protein in the food.

So, this range of holistic dog food was created to solve these particular issues.

Hills also has other products to tackle issues such as urinary care (c/d), weight management (j/d), kidney care (k/d), digestive care (i/d), and one that is multi-benefit (w/d).

What are the Ingredients in z/d Dog Food?

This list was extracted directly from the manufacturer:

Corn Starch	Hydrolyzed Chicken Liver
Soybean Oil	Powdered Cellulose
Calcium Carbonate	Dicalcium Phosphate
Lactic Acid	Potassium Chloride
Glyceryl Monostearate	Choline Chloride
Iodized Salt	Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C)
Niacin Supplement	Thiamine Mononitrate
Vitamin A Supplement	Calcium Pantothenate
Biotin	Vitamin B12 Supplement
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride	Riboflavin Supplement
Folic Acid	Vitamin D3 Supplement
DL-Methionine	Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite)
Taurine	Mixed Tocopherols for freshness
Natural Flavors	Beta-Carotene

Hills ZD Dog Food Side Effects

Quick note: The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019 investigated the occurrence of possibly dangerous vitamin D levels in some of their food following consumer concerns. Hills had to recall some of their canned food after the investigation and the Z/D range of canned food was also named among them. The recall has since been terminated.

When a dog is overexposed to Vitamin D, there can be a number of nasty side effects, namely:

• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Kidney failure
• Vomit
• Diarrhea
• Joint issues
• Bradycardia/high blood rate
• Drooling
• Renal failure
• Death

The ZD Dog Food recall has led to widespread concern over the health of dogs whos eaten it, and some have chosen to avoid feeding it to their dogs due to this concern.

Signs of Food Allergies and Sensitivities in Dogs

The most common symptoms of a food allergy include itchy skin, paws, or ears, as well as digestive issues like vomiting or diarrhea.

Hyperactivity, weight loss, a lack of vitality, and even hostility are some of the more subtle changes that might take place.

Its important to note that allergies can be caused by a variety of factors.

While food allergies are one common cause, there are many more.

If your dog has a reaction to z/d food right after consuming it, then it could very well be due to the ingredients found in the food.

For example, some dogs have a sensitivity to beef or chicken that causes them to break out in hives when they eat those products.

In this case, switching to a different brand of dog food may help alleviate your pets symptoms.

Zd has been called out for using low-quality ingredients and failing to list their full ingredient lists on their packaging a problem because it makes it difficult for consumers like you or me to find an alternative if were unsatisfied with Z/Ds products.

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If your dog is experiencing any kind of allergic reaction, contact your veterinarian immediately or consider getting a nutrition consultation.

While its not uncommon for dogs to experience some kind of reaction to something they eat, if you suspect that the ZD has triggered a severe allergic reaction in your pet, try switching him out of the brand and onto another brand.

It could be that your dog is having a negative response to one or more of the ingredients found in his food.

Identifying Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions arent necessarily easy to identify when theyre happening; however, there are some warning signs you can look out for that might indicate an allergic reaction:

• sudden scratching or itching on their body
• redness around their eyes
• excessive drooling
• vomiting or diarrhea
• hives (small bumps)
• swelling around their paws and feet

What Kind of Diet is Suitable For Your Dog?

A dogs diet depends very much on its age (life stages), breed, and activity level. Here are a few key points you should be aware of:

• Puppies and senior dogs need different amounts of food: Consider the puppy phase as a time to build muscle and bone mass. Youll want to make sure your pups caloric intake is high during this time. As a very rough guide, you should feed your puppy around 4 times a day (and only puppy food), while 2 feedings is sufficient for an adult dog.
• Active dogs need more calories than sedentary ones: If your pup is super active or has a very fast metabolism (called hyperthyroidism), then its important that you increase its calorie count even further so it can get enough energy to keep up this means feeding it four times instead of two! If youre not sure whether or not your pet is getting enough exercise, then talk with your veterinarian about what kinds of exercises they should do together each day so they burn off extra calories before storing them as fat deposits instead (which could lead down an unhealthy path).
• Breeds may also require special diets due to their natural size/build type: Certain breeds have been bred over centuries towards certain traits such as weight gain potential; therefore dogs within these groups may require specialized diets tailored specifically for their genetic predisposition towards obesity which could otherwise lead them down dangerous paths later on in life.

How to Transition Your Dog to a New Diet?

Before you do so, take note that a sudden change in your dogs diet may result in gastrointestinal distress, including nausea, diarrhea, and a loss of appetite.

Every time you make the decision to switch your dogs food, you should gradually introduce the new diet to give your dogs body time to get used to the change.

These adjustments ought to take place over the course of 5-7 days.

You will progressively include more and more of the new food by combining it with your dogs current diet during this transition.

Learn more here.

Dont Forget Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are also important components of a balanced diet for dogs.

They provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber that can be good for your dogs teeth, digestive system, and overall health.

Here are some fruits and vegetables that you can provide for your dog:

• Fruits: Apples, bananas, berries, grapes (seedless), melons (cantaloupe and honeydew), oranges (seedless), peaches, pears
• Vegetables: Broccoli florets, Brussels sprouts, carrots, peas

How to Choose Food for Sensitive Dogs

There are several things you should look for when choosing an alternative to zd dog food.

The thing you should look for in good dog food is that it does not contain any filler ingredients, such as corn or wheat gluten, which are often used to increase the protein content in a product without increasing its cost.

Dog foods with high amounts of protein from fillers can cause digestive issues like diarrhea and vomiting in some dogs, especially those who have allergies or sensitivities to certain types of proteins like beef or chicken.

Its also important that your dogs food contains only whole grains; this means there should be no additives such as corn syrup solids or hydrogenated oils added during processing (corn syrup solids are used as an inexpensive sweetener).

If your chosen brand contains these fillers then you may end up feeding them unhealthy ingredients instead!

In Conclusion: Hills ZD Dog Food Alternatives

This post provides you with a few great alternatives to Hills z/d dog food without sacrificing any quality, and in some cases, might be more wallet-friendly.

Dont forget to check in with your vet first as they do require authorization before you can buy them.

Choosing the right food can be confusing for any dog owner, which is why we have written many articles about dog diets and different brands such as the Good Friends dog food review, Blue Buffalo vs Fromm dog food, Purina Pro Plan vs Acana, and many more.

Dont forget to check them out too!

Youve made it to the end, but I hope its not the end of our journey. We want to hear your voice! Share your thoughts, problems, suggestions, or anything related to your dog in the comments section. And dont forget to join our newsletter today too.