Brenda Khan
Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. has been a trusted brand for pet owners for over half a century, with its Prescription Diet and Science Diet brands. The company's Prescription Diet is formulated to address specific medical conditions in pets and is available through veterinarians or authorized online retailers. Their Science Diet is designed to meet the needs of healthy pets and offers clinically proven benefits. However, the company has recently come under fire for changing the formula in their Science Diet and Prescription Diet products, with some dogs falling ill and others refusing to eat. This has led to a lawsuit and a voluntary recall of certain products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Has the formula changed? | Yes, for their Canine Multi-Benefit w/d dry food and two of their canine chicken flavor dry foods, G/D (Aging Care) and L/D (Liver Care). |
| What has changed? | There has been an increase in palatability and fat content in the Canine Multi-Benefit w/d dry food. The G/D and L/D formulas have had "some minor component changes". |
| When did the changes take place? | June/July 2021 |
| How is the change communicated? | A red label around the bag noting “New Formula & Kibble” |
| What is the recommended transition period? | 7-10 days |
| What is the reason for the change? | To improve palatability |
| Has the formula been recalled? | Yes, due to excess vitamin D |
| Who is responsible for the excess vitamin D? | Hill's blamed their supplier |
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What You'll Learn
Hill's Prescription Diet formula changes
Hill's Prescription Diet is a brand of pet food that is formulated to address specific medical conditions that can develop in pets. The food is available through a pet's veterinarian and offers therapeutic nutrition for a range of health conditions.
In 2022, Hill's made changes to some of its prescription diet formulas. These changes included updates to the packaging design and kibble shape, as well as formula upgrades to some of the diets. The new packaging features a simplified design and a scannable QR code that provides helpful information and resources. Some of the prescription diets have also had a formula upgrade, with changes to the kibble's shape, colour, or size to optimize taste.
One notable change was made to the Canine Multi-Benefit w/d dry food formula, where the fat content on a dry-matter basis increased from 9.1% to 13% to increase palatability. This change may have impacted the glucose levels of diabetic dogs, as reported by a vet tech in Maryland.
Hill's has recommended a gradual transition to the new formulas, especially for pets with known sensitivities, to avoid digestive upset. The company suggests a 7-10 day transition period, gradually introducing the new food over this time.
It is important to note that Hill's Prescription Diet products are clinically tested and developed by a team of PhD nutritionists and veterinarians. The brand is the US #1 Veterinarian Recommended brand, providing specialized, therapeutic care for pets facing health conditions.
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Science Diet formula changes
Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. is a well-known producer of prescription commercial dog food. In June/July 2021, the company announced changes to the formulas of two of its dry dog food products: G/D (Aging Care) and L/D (Liver Care). These changes were marked with a red label on the bag, indicating a "New Formula & Kibble". While Hill's assured customers that the nutritional value of the food would remain the same, they did note that there would be minor component changes. As such, the company recommended a gradual transition to the new formula over a 7-10 day period to avoid any potential digestive issues.
In another instance, Hill's Prescription Diet also changed the formula of their Canine Multi-Benefit w/d dry food, which resulted in an increase in fat content from 9.1% to 13% on a dry-matter basis. This particular change caused concern for some pet owners, as it was not widely communicated, and could potentially impact pets with certain medical conditions, such as pancreatitis or diabetes.
The Hill's Science Diet and Prescription Diet formulas have also been the subject of a lawsuit, alleging that excess vitamin D in the food "poisoned" a dog, leading to its euthanization. The company recalled the affected products, but some pet owners felt that this action was too little, too late. Hill's blamed the issue on their supplier and made changes to the formula, adding fillers and removing natural fats.
It is important to note that prescription pet food is formulated to address specific medical conditions in pets, and is typically recommended by veterinarians. Hill's Prescription Diet offers a range of products designed to manage weight, joint issues, urinary conditions, and stress in dogs, as well as weight and urinary conditions in cats. On the other hand, Hill's Science Diet products are formulated to meet the needs of healthy pets during various life stages and promote overall vitality and well-being.
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Prescription Diet's health benefits
Hill's Prescription Diet is a well-known brand of prescription pet food formulated to address specific medical issues in pets. The food is only available through a veterinarian, who can recommend the best diet for your pet's needs.
The health benefits of a prescription diet are clear to see when compared to the consequences of a poor diet. Obesity, diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, kidney disease, IBD, IBS, and allergies can all be caused by a bad diet. Prescription diets can help pets with these issues, and in the case of obesity, can help with weight management. Prescription diets can also help with joint issues, cognitive dysfunction, and liver disease. For example, therapeutic dog foods for kidney disease are typically low in phosphorus and sodium to reduce the workload on the kidneys, and omega-3 fatty acids, essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants may be added to promote kidney function and overall health.
Hill's Prescription Diet u/d Urinary Care is formulated to help reduce the risk of cystine and urate stones from forming in dogs. Similarly, the brand's l/d Liver Care formula helps dogs with liver disease. The b/d Brain Aging Care formula is designed to help older dogs with cognitive dysfunction.
It is important to note that some sources claim that veterinarians recommend these diets simply because they make a profit from them, and that the quality of the food is not as high as it should be for the price. However, other sources claim that veterinarians recommend these diets because they have seen them work.
When transitioning to a new prescription diet, it is important to do so gradually over a period of 7-10 days to avoid digestive upset.
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Science Diet's health benefits
Hill's Science Diet Pet Food is formulated to meet the unique needs of dogs and cats at various life stages, from weight management to sensitive stomachs and skin to oral care. The food is biology-based, with no corn, wheat, or soy, and supports a healthy immune system, lean muscles, and a beautiful coat. It also contains ingredients that support heart health and clinically proven kibble technology to reduce plaque and tartar buildup.
The company has recently made some changes to their formulas, including the Canine Multi-Benefit w/d dry food to increase palatability. The fat content of this food has increased from 9.1% to 13% on a dry-matter basis. Hill's has also changed the formulas for two of their canine chicken flavor dry foods, G/D (Aging Care) and L/D (Liver Care), with new formulas available in late June or early July 2021. These changes are said to not alter the dietary value of the food but are rather minor component changes.
Hill's recommends a gentle transition to new formulas over a 7-10 day period to avoid digestive upset. This can be done by gradually transitioning your pet's old food to new food over this period.
The Science Diet range also includes ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit, which promotes a healthy stool and is available in all Science Diet adult and senior lifestage foods. The food is formulated with high-quality ingredients and a variety of shapes, textures, flavors, and aromas to deliver a great taste that pets will love.
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Transitioning to new formulas
Transitioning your cat to a new food formula can be a tricky process. Cats have sensitive stomachs and can become ill or refuse to eat when trying new food. To avoid digestive upset, it is important to transition your cat's food gradually.
Firstly, it is important to ensure you are not overfeeding your cat. Your veterinarian will be able to recommend the best serving size for your cat's weight and health needs, but you can also check the feeding guide on your cat's food packaging.
When you are sure that your portions are correct, you can start to introduce the new food. Over a period of 7-10 days, gradually decrease the amount of current food while increasing the amount of new food. On days 1-2, feed 3/4 of the normal amount of current food and add 1/4 of the new food. On days 3-4, serve half the current food and half the new food. On days 5-7, feed 3/4 of the new food and 1/4 of the previous food. By days 8-10, you should be able to serve only the new food.
If your cat is not eating the new food, you can try putting a small portion of the old food down for just 6 hours. This will encourage your cat to eat the new food while still consuming enough calories to prevent problems. If your cat is still not eating the new food after 18 hours, you should go back to the amount that was tolerated and stay there for a few days before moving on. Some cats take longer to transition than others, so don't be discouraged if it takes two weeks or even longer.
If you are transitioning your cat from dry to wet food, or vice versa, it is important to note that dry food is significantly higher in carbohydrates and should be fed in moderation. Cats typically do not like it when dry and wet food are mixed together, as the dry food gets soggy and the wet food becomes mealy. It is better to put them in separate bowls.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Hill's Prescription Diet has changed the formula for their Canine Multi-Benefit w/d dry food to increase palatability. The fat content has increased from 9.1% to 13%. They have also changed the formula for their G/D (Aging Care) and L/D (Liver Care) canine chicken flavor dry foods.
Hill's Prescription Diet brand pet foods are formulated to address specific medical conditions that can develop in pets. The formula changes are meant to be minor and will not modify the dietary worth of the meals.
Hill's recommends a gentle transition from the old formula to the new one over a period of 7-10 days.
