Hill’s Prescription Diet I/D Canine (Dry)

by Mike Sagman
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Rating: ★★½☆☆

Hill’s Prescription Diet I/D Canine dry dog food gets the Advisor’s below-average rating of 2.5 stars.

The Hill’s Prescription Diet I/D Gastrointestinal Health product line includes only one dry dog food. Although the product appears to be designed to help manage dogs with digestive health issues, we found no AAFCO nutritional adequacy statements for this dog food on the Hill’s website.

Hill's Prescription Diet I/D Canine

Dry Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Protein = 27% | Fat = 14% | Carbs = 51%

Ingredients: Ground whole grain corn, brewers rice, dried egg product, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, pork fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), powdered cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, chicken liver flavor, iodized salt, potassium citrate, choline chloride, calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, dried beet pulp, soybean oil, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin a supplement, calcium pantothenate, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid), taurine, minerals (ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), phosphoric acid, preserved with mixed tocopherols & citric acid, rosemary extract

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2.6%

Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients

Estimated Nutrient Content
MethodProteinFatCarbs
Guaranteed Analysis27%14%NA
Dry Matter Basis27%14%51%
Calorie Weighted Basis24%31%46%

The first ingredient in this dog food is corn. Corn is an inexpensive and controversial cereal grain of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

For this reason, we do not consider corn a preferred component in any dog food.

The second ingredient is brewers rice. Brewers rice represents the small grain fragments left over after milling whole rice.

This is an inexpensive cereal grain by-product and not considered a quality ingredient.

The third ingredient is dried egg product… a dehydrated form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary significantly. Lower grade egg product can even come from commercial hatcheries… from eggs that have failed to hatch.

In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.

The fourth item lists chicken by-product meal… a dry rendered product of slaughterhouse waste. It’s made from what’s left of a slaughtered chicken after all the prime cuts have been removed.

In a nutshell, chicken by-products are those unsavory leftovers usually considered “unfit for human consumption”.

This stuff can contain almost anything… feet, beaks, undeveloped eggs… anything (that is) but skeletal muscle (real meat).

On the brighter side, by-product meals are meat concentrates and contain nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

The fifth item is corn gluten meal. Gluten is the rubbery residue remaining once corn has had most of its starchy carbohydrate (the good stuff) washed out of it.

Compared to meat, glutens are inferior grain-based proteins low in many of the essential amino acids dogs need to sustain life.

This inexpensive plant-based ingredient can significantly boost the total protein content reported in this dog food.

The sixth ingredient is pork fat. Commonly known as lard, pork fat can add significant flavor to any dog food. Though it can be high in saturated oils, in reasonable amounts, pork fat can be considered an acceptable ingredient.

The seventh ingredient is powdered cellulose… a non-digestible plant fiber usually made from cotton or sawdust. Cellulose is sometimes added to dilute the number of calories per serving and to give the feeling of fullness when it is eaten.

Except for the usual benefits of fiber, powdered cellulose provides no nutritional value to a dog.

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 have much of an effect on the overall rating of this product.

With four notable exceptions…

First, we note the use of beet pulp. Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient… a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.

Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.

We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable.

Next, the product includes soybean oil… red flagged here only due to its suspected (yet unlikely) link to canine food allergies.

Thirdly, we find no evidence of probiotics… friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing.

Finally, the minerals here do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Non-chelated minerals are usually associated with lower quality dog foods.

Hill’s Prescription Diet I/D Dry Dog Food
The Bottom Line

Even though this is a prescription product, we continue to limit our judgment to the estimated meat content of the recipe as well as the apparent quality of its ingredients. And nothing else.

Our ratings have nothing to do with the accuracy of claims made by the manufacturer as to this product’s ability to effectively 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…

Judging by its ingredients alone, Hill’s Prescription Diet I/D appears to be a below-average dry dog food.

But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 26%, a fat level of 14% and an estimated carbohydrate content of 52%.

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

Yet when you take into consideration the protein-boosting effect of the corn gluten meal, this looks like the profile of a dry dog food containing only a modest amount of meat.

Bottom line?

Hill’s Prescription Diet I/D is primarily a grain-based dry dog food using a modest amount of dried egg product as its main source of animal protein… thus earning the brand 2.5 stars.

Not recommended.

A Final Word

This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in specific health benefits for your pet.

For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews”

Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.

Have an opinion about this dog food… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.

Notes and Updates

01/04/2010 Original review
08/10/2010 Review updated
08/10/2010 Last Update

Dog Food Advisor IconThe Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.


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  • http://heartseed.sf.net neighborlee

    Gordan, no apology necessary among friends ;) …we all learn, and often daily.

    Thx for being here and sharing.

  • Shawna

    Have you read Pitcairns views Gordon? They are SOOO very different from the other 3. It surprises me that you would include him as an “expert”. Pitcairn would actually be more on Peta’s side then Lonsdale’s side in an argument (based on his opinion as written in his book — “Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats” Third Ediution).

    On page 97 he writes as a column heading “Vegetarians Are Healthier” (speaking of humans here). On page 98 he discusses the “toxins” in meats–including human grade meat (hormones, antibiotics etc etc). Page 99 he discusses the “Global, Ethical, And Environmental Concerns” of a meat diet. And on page 100 her writes “For these reasons, I recommend prioritizing the recipes in chapter 4 that use the least amounts of meat. While all of the basic dog recipes are tailored to require fairly low amounts of meat, the minimal-meat choices for dogs are (in this order): Quick Canine Oatmeal…….”

    Is there something about Pitcairn that I am not aware of?

  • Gordon

    My apologies neighborlee. Thanks for the clarification that Sanja is a male. I was confusing the name with Sonya.

    However, I’ll pass on any research into him thanks. For now at least. There are others that I’m currently researching. So, he’ll have to wait.

    Having said, it is highly unlikely that my mind will change since Mother Nature knows best, and not Dr. Gupta. :) That is an indisputable fact.

    I believe there are 4 experts besides our grand parents and prior era and Mother Nature, and they are Dr.s Pottenger, Lonsdale, Pitcairn and Billinghurst. I’ll take their advice and Mother Nature’s thanks.

    But I do appreciate your perspective however extremely and unequivocally I disagree!

  • http://heartseed.sf.net neighborlee

    THanks again for this article, it was a real eye opener for me, and my dog will be healthier for its posting.

    Ty so much.

  • http://heartseed.sf.net neighborlee

    Hi gordon,

    Do some research , and get back to me. Dr. Gupta isn’t some fy by night doctor. He is a he btw Gordon, but you would have known that, had you done the research.

    “The nutritional needs of dogs and cats can be met with a balanced vegan diet and certain supplements. ” , and natures recipe food is just that, and its aafco approved.

    Did you know that cats weren’t even native to America , so that throws out their supposed requirements, and otherwise threw apart the animal ecosystem when they were introduced.

    If you think Peta is wrong, which they are not, then you too are free to sue them, if you’re so sure, and free animals from non violent diets ;) Ours has been on natures recipe ( balanced and complete) for years now, and he is just fine, and I don’t have to sleep at night thinking about the horrors of the meat industry, knowing animals are free’er’ to roam and care for their young and enjoy life, as we are. Who really agrees to kill others for food, short of Mark zuckerberg. A real hero .

    The Einstein comment was just that, a clearly highly intelligent and educated Scientist, who was vegetaraian. The link is obvious, in that he was a thoughtful intelligent man, that understood the atrocities in the meat industry, read it for yourself Mr. Gordon:

    http://www.ivu.org/history/northam20a/einstein.html < that is the research you could have done, and explains precisely why I mentioned Einstein.

    If you dont work for the meat industry, then you clearly are misinformed , and desensitized to it all, the horrors included. Have you seen videos of the meat industry, how it treats animals, etc. As a caring individual, which most of us are, it is impossible to see them and not be horrified literally.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathy-freston/shattering-the-meat-myth_b_214390.html < this is for your humans aren't natural vegetarians statement , so consider reading it.

    http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_8614.cfm < thats a really good read as well, so if such foods are bad for us, does anyone really think its 'ok' for our companion animals ? I have no death wish for my dog or cat.

  • Gordon

    Oh about Einstein and IQ’s in general. They have nothing to do with diet (At least not once developed), and one is born with a set IQ, however, can improve or decline depending on whether they have been abundantly breast fed and that mothers have eaten healthy in the 9 months of pregnancy. At least, so says a recent study, I recall hearing about some months ago, reported by a news program.

  • Gordon

    Hi neighborlee – There is no better protein or iron source better than that, that comes from meat, for both humans, and carnivorous animals!

    I don’t want to sound like an arrogant lay person, when I say that if what you’re saying that Dr. Sanja Gupta, says what you claim, then she truly has no idea what she is talking about!!

    How can meat be bad for wild dogs? It is Nature’s designed dietary rule, that wild dogs, be it wolves, dingoes, coyotes, foxes, etc, eat a majority of raw meat in their diet. So does that mean that Dr. Sanja Gupta is right, and all mighty Mother Nature is wrong?

  • Shawna

    Thank you too!!! :)

  • http://heartseed.sf.net neighborlee

    Shawna, and I do AND appreciate, and understand where you are.

    Peace out, and ty so much for your views ;)

  • Shawna

    I have done my research.. I teach nutrition classes and have studied many of the best nutritionists and vets on dog and cat diets..

    My dog Audrey was born with kidney disease. She has been on a raw meat and animal based high protein diet since she was weaned.. That was over 5 years ago and she is doing fabulously.. Not on medication, never sick, never required sub Q fluids etc. All I do is diet and animal organ, glandular supplements. A vegetarian protein diet would be disasterous for her kidneys — amino acid bioavailablity wise. I can provide science to prove this…

    And, many doctors and nutritionists (my M.D. is also a Certifiec Clinical Nutritionist—recommending a Weston Price style diet) recommend meat based protein diets.

    I do understand AND appreciate your commitment to animals. I refused to purchase pork (for myself or dogs) because of gestation crates as an example. BUT, I have Native American genes and I assure you my ancestors were meat eaters and there hasn’t been enough time for me to have evolved to a non meat eater. I do buy clean, ethically raised meat though (both for myself and my dogs).

  • http://heartseed.sf.net neighborlee

    Shawna, if that is true, why don’t you get them to sue peta, and remove that page.

    That would surely clear things up I suppose, to once and for all put this to rest.

    That has yet to happen, so I guess much of what we see here, is just adhominem attack, no doubt from many whom likely support the violence of the meat industry. I don’t know how you sleep at night.

    Violence begats violence, and those that are stuck working there, have high percentages of suicides. Is that the kind of world we want to live in ? We are as we do, so again, it should surprise no one how things have turned out. You an thank Saul of Tarsus, in part, for that.

    Some of the greats were vegetarian/vegan, and a quick google would verify that. Einstein was one , if that tells you anything. Ghandi was too. http://www.veganwolf.com/famous_vegetarians.htm

    There was even a article that highy suggests that Jesus was as well ( google: huffington post jesus vegetarian ; should find it), and given his view on sacrifice, should that surprise anyone ?: ” Give me mercy, not sacrifice “.

  • http://heartseed.sf.net neighborlee

    my bad: oofca> http://www.aafco.org/

  • http://heartseed.sf.net neighborlee

    SHawna, again, do your research, Dogs are omnivores, and there is no reason they can’t eat a totally vegan diet, just like cats, as long as all the nutrients an vitamins are there. Those are the facts,whether you, or the meat industry likes it or not.

    If meat is bad for us, and check Dr. Sanja GUpta for that, then its not good for dogs either, and that includes cancer, diabetes and god knows what else.

    Morally and ethically as well, its just wrong, but thats a opinion from someone who has done alot of research, and knows right from wrong. Thou shalt not killl is rather clear, but those in denial think it doesn’t apply to animals, because well, animals cant fight back or use guns, like we do.

    When I found out how bad ID was, I immediately stopped it,and got him natures recipe vegetarian mix , with gravy formula and he just loves it and it has OOFCA’s stamp of approval.

    Besides, my vet knows about this diet, and has no problems with it. It’s a national clinic as well, but this one is in the NorthWest.

  • Shawna

    Neighborlee — I agree with Michelle and Sandy. Sandy has a good reference in Dr. Becker too… Dr. Becker is a vegetarian herself but this is what she says about a vegetarian diet for pets..

    “PETA needs to rethink their position on this subject. And fast.

    I’m certainly all for the ethical treatment of animals, but there is nothing ethical about forcing a vegan or vegetarian diet on an animal designed by nature to be an obligate carnivore.

    There are powers in the world greater than man (or woman), and one of them is nature. Nature dictates to us, not the other way around.

    I certainly understand and appreciate the personal decision many people make to adopt a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle. I am a vegetarian myself. But pushing my personal philosophy on another species is not appropriate. ” http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/09/15/peta-thinks-cats-should-be-vegans.aspx

    Dr. Martin Goldstein is another WELL respected vet. He too is a vegetarian. And also advocates a high protein meat based diet (raw — same as Dr. Becker) for cats and dogs.

  • http://heartseed.sf.net neighborlee

    MIchelle, as I thought, yes you are 5 years old, and I have just reported you.

    I knew right off you were a trouble maker, welcome to the human race..NOT.

    Peta notwithstanding, I and my dog are NOT eating, by the death and suffering of any sentient creature. If you are ok with that, I suggest you check all the facts, and then the mirror you stare into, because something is wrong with the reflection. Most people who ‘don’t get’ the vegan thing, as just in denial, and seriously desensitized to industry voodoo.

    To sandy: same thing.

  • sandy

    Unless your dog has a serious serious medical condition requiring vegetarian food, you are doing him a dis-service for sure!

    Feed lot raised animals, grain fed raised animals raised to be fat and marbly, given hormones, and antibiotics, that have lost their natural balance of omega 6 & omega 3 like free range animals, yes they are bad for us. But your dog who is still 99% wolf has to have meat!!

    There are dog food companies that use free range animals, antibiotic free, hormone free animals in their food by the way.

    Here is a link from a holistic vet. Do some research. Feed your dog what he is made to eat instead of forcing to eat rabbit food.
    http://www.drkarenbecker.com/nav_sets_04/set04.htm

  • http://heartseed.sf.net neighborlee

    I would be happy to Michelle, and its not funny, or is that your way of making a laughing matter out of companion animal diet ? It’s important to me, so unless you are 5 years old, I’d prefer you reduce your laughter, as its not mature , OR funny.

    Here is the link IN CASE your serious about looking into it, but Ill not hold my breath ;)

    http://www.peta.org/issues/Companion-Animals/meatless-meals-for-dogs-and-cats.aspx

  • Michelle

    neighborlee, LOL, meat isn’t good for dogs? That is a good one! :) Just where did you get this info? How is meat not good for a primarily carnivorous animal? Please enlighten us.. :)

  • http://heartseed.sf.net neighborlee

    I read recently that meat for dogs isn’t recommended, which makes sense, as its not good for us either, as clearly outlined by specialists, and neurologists like Dr. Sanja Gupta.

    I feed my dog Natures Recipe dry , vegetarian receipe, and it meets the stringment requirements of this article, and thank god. I feel so good , not having to contribute to the awful meat industry , knowing my dog is healthy and happy.

    Great article , thx so much ;) )

  • sandy
  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Elaine… There’s an excellent article about urinary stones that discusses this problem and makes some practical suggestions.

    Also, the Urolith Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine provides an excellent website devoted to the identification of different types of urinary stones. This site also offers some excellent recommendations, too.

    In any case, since I’m not a veterinarian, I cannot provide specific health advice or product recommendations. You may wish to check back for a possible response from one of our other readers. Hope this helps.

  • sandy

    Here’s another one. http://www.aplus-flint-river-ranch.com/article-healthydalmatiandiet.php

    This one says Flint River Ranch has low purine formulas.

  • sandy
  • Elaine

    Hello:
    I would like to know what would be the best dog food ingredient for my dog recently had bladder stone (urate) removed. His vet told me that he’ll need Hill’s Science Diet u/d for the rest of his life, but this is so expensive, and my dog does not really like it at all. Please advise how to find out food with less purines for his diet.
    Thanks,
    Elaine

  • melissa

    Rosie-

    Personally, if its working, and given the fact that your dog has had three recent bouts of pancreatitis, I would not mess with anything until you consult your vet. I do question one thing-you are giving pancreatic enzyme? That is not something I am familiar with for pancreatitis issues, but rather EPI. You dog can survive eating ID if that is the ONLY option-consult with your vet!!!!

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Rosie… The dog foods on this website are rated based upon their apparent ingredient quality and meat content. And nothing else. Our ratings have nothing to do with expected results. Unfortunately, since I’m not a veterinarian and due to the biological uniqueness of each pet, it would be inappropriate for me to provide specific health advice or product recommendations. Please see our FAQ page and our reviews for more information. Or check back for a possible response from one of our other readers. Wish I could be more help.

  • Rosie

    My almost 16 year old Yorkshire Terrier has recently gone through 3 bouts of pancreatitis. She is currently eating dry Hills I/D along with canned I/D, which we use to hide her pancreatic enzyme and Zantac pills in. Her blood-work is ideal with the exception of her lipase. She has suffered from excessive stomach acid with vomiting all her life which we thought we solved with the Zantac. I have now read on the internet that Zantac can actually cause pancreatitis. This discovery that Hills is low quality has left me in a quandry. I am very tempted to just keep things as they are given her age and the fact that she feels better than she has in a very long time. Is I/D a food that can sustain my dog for the rest of her life or is it meant to be temporary, weaning to a more complete diet after issues have resolved? As an interesting observation, the I/D makes my 12 year old Chinese Crested dog vomit. Thanks

  • Willow

    My cousin knows someone who works higher up in Science Diet and says the food is in fact “not high quality”. Sorry to say.

  • Carol Fussell

    As was mentioned by another boxer owner, this food has saved my 6 year old boxer’s life. We were certain we were losing him afater months of sickness…and now he is gaining weight and thriving – Poor guy is missing his “treats” though. Any recommendation on an appropriate treat for a dog with serious gastrointestinal issue?? Thanks.

  • Jonathan

    Jackie, I doubt your vet would knowingly prescribe something harmful for you to feed your dog. Just like I doubt human Doctors know that their prescription pharmaceuticals really cause more problems than they are worth. In both cases, good people have been misled by research provided by profit-first corporations that are more interested in hiding the symptoms of their other corporate sins than fixing real problems. If there were a ton of money to be made by Big Food and Big Medicine in convincing everyone that eating real food (in the case of dogs, raw food) is the way to treat chronic disease, many of our (and our dog’s) health problems would probably go away in a few generations. There is nothing special about Science Diet. Nothing about it makes is a medicine. This is the same carb-heavy non-sense as the rest of their foods. At least consider the alternative. Real food.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Jackie… You’re right. And like you, I trust Bailey’s vet, too. Don’t know what we’d do without her. That’s why I remind readers in this (and every professional veterinary product) review that “it’s not our intention to judge the appropriateness of any dog food to treat a specific condition”. And to “consult a veterinarian” for help. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

  • Jackie

    I trust my vet. She is my friend as well and knows how much I love my dogs. She would not prescribe something she thought would hurt them. Don’t you think that what they recommend should be taken into consideration along with actual results? Recurring bouts of sickness and trial and error with other foods can’t be better than finding something that finally works. I see a vast improvement so far and plan to continue as long as he stays healthy. I do appreciate the fact that you’ve done so much research. Just thought I’d throw this out there.

  • Ron

    Billy,
    My now 14 year Labrador has something similar to yours.
    If you do have to use the SD I/D which I had to also, I would use the wet canned version if possible, it worked much better for her and I think it has better and less ingredients. Sometimes when they are having these problems, kibble seems hard for them to
    digest properly.

  • Jan

    Billy, the Hills I/D was what my vet recommended for my dog’s diarrhea (mostly due to parasites), and although I was also concerned about the quality of the food, it was the only thing that worked for her. She was on it for almost 7 months and did great. I was so relieved that she finally got over the months of illness and diarrhea. She was able to transition to higher quality foods – I transitioned her to Blue Buffalo Life Protection (chicken and rice so that it wasn’t totally different than the Hills) and now to Wilderness (chicken) and she is doing great. Last year I thought she was destined for a life of stomach/intestinal difficulty, but it didn’t turn out that way. So don’t lose hope; maybe you will be able to feed him a different food later. But for now I’d try what your vet says and give the chance for him to heal. It isn’t the best quality food, but it changed our lives to one of getting up in the middle of the night every night with her squealing to go outside and diarrhea all over the floor to being able to sleep through the night and cheering out loud for solid poop in the yard! Let us know how it goes.

  • Billy

    Ok, so my 11 year old Labrador has been going to the vet about every 6 months for the last two years with a bout of diarrhea. It usually lasts about 4 days and during this time he acts normal, although 1 of the times he did get a bit dehydrated and had to be hooked to an IV to recover. He has been eating Nutro Ultra products since around age 6. His entire life he has been a picky eater, never one of those “constantly starved”-attitudes a lot of Labs have. When he was younger, and was fed only once a day, he would sometimes vomit bile maybe once every 2 weeks. The vet concluded he had high stomach acidity and it would be better to feed him 2, maybe 3 times daily with smaller portions, which helped tremendously. I’m writing because now his diarrhea bouts went from every 6 months, to 1 month, now with the appearance of blood and mucus in his stool. We just went in today for an ultrasound and blood work. Everything came back normal and the diagnosis is inflamed colon and a potential food intolerance or allergy (vet’s words) development. He is prescribed an antibiotic as well as a recommended diet change. They prescribed him Hills I/D dry kibble. I am nervous after reading the rating here but I am more nervous of just blindly selecting another dog food and potentially subjecting my dog to further gastrointestinal problems. I will try Hills I/D, per the veterinarian’s recommendation (which, by the way, is at the state university here and is considered the best place in town to bring your pet) and let everyone here know how it goes.

  • sandy

    Actually one of my dogs always did better with some grain, so he eats 1 part regular food and 2-3 parts grain free. Works for him. Don’t feel like you have to use one food or the other all the way.

  • sandy

    Sounds like a plan. I’ve used the Duck and Salmon formulas on my dogs before. Just remember to keep going slow and feed less of the Wilderness. And keep in mind Wilderness is potato based. There are also tapioca based and pea based grain free foods if she should have a reaction to potatoes.

  • Jan

    Hi everyone – I forgot to let you know what I ended up feeding my dog with the sensitive stomach. My vet wanted me to transition very slowly to something with chicken and rice since that’s what my dog was used to, then transition to the food I wanted to feed her long term. She’s now eating Blue Buffalo Life Protection Chicken and Rice dry food, and is doing great with it. There were no issues during the transition or now, so maybe here system wasn’t permanently damaged by the parasites. But now I’d like to transition her to something of a lbetter quality that is grain free. What do you all think of Wilderness Blue Buffalo chicken? Shameless, I love the ingredients in the Nature’s Variety Instinct Organic Chicken Formula you recommended; I only eat organic food myself but I’m just not sure I want to give up the dry food for my dog since she’s doing very well on it and spend the extra money if I don’t have to. I definitely want something grain free that is very high quality but would prefer to stick to dry food if possible. Any recommendations are appreciated. Thanks everyone!

  • Dahlia

    Christina, I understand your concerns. If your yorkie does not respond to the canned I/D food, I would rather get some dry I/D diet food and wet it to “sponge” it and make it easier for him to swallow. Let me explain.

    I have a “senior” dog (she’s ten, but very healthy and runs like a marathoner) with ulcerative colitis. Once or twice when she was little she presented bloody stools, but nothing serious that required emergency vet care. However, after her seventh birthday, she had a very scary episode. The vet finally diagnosed her with colitis and put her on the I/D diet; she has been on it for the past three years.

    The food seemed to be really good, gives her great energy, and no bloody diarrhea. The only times she has gotten sick again was eating something she found on the street while walking (she was faster than me and swallowed it), a relative that did not follow instructions and wanted to be nice and give her a “treat”, and hookworms. However, they changed the formula a few months ago and now she cannot tolerate the canned version.

    Before, you could see the rice grains in the food (actual rice grains, not bits and pieces), but now the canned version is like any other cheap version. I can tell you the dry version works for these types of veterinary emergencies. For the long run, after he gets better, is another thing.

    I started researching in case I needed an alternative food, because of the change in formula, and I CANNOT believe what’s in this. You think when the vet recommends you something that is THIS expensive and requires a prescription, it is the absolute best. Honestly, until very recently I had no idea what the ingredients meant, their nutritional value and the like, and now I’m just disgusted at the price I have to pay for such a cheap product.

    I have mixed feelings because it works; it keeps my dog’s digestive system under check, but now I wonder if it’s taking a toll in some other aspect of her health. At times I wonder if they put some kind of medicine or something in it that they are not telling about (why “prescription” food if there is nothing to be prescribed in the ingredients list), or if it’s that all of those cheap fillers just pass right through her and she gets her calories from the cheap carbs and pork fat, and the nutrients from the added vitamins and minerals.

    My plans now are to slowly switch her to a homemade diet, with limited ingredients, grain free and low fat, which I’ve been reading is the best course for dogs with digestive system issues. I hope she’ll tolerate it. I talked to my vet about this and he asked me why I didn’t just switch her to another brand of veterinary diet. After a little research, they cost more and are just as cheap. So, he advised me then to introduce her to the homemade food little by little over the course of six to eight weeks and see how it goes. If she starts to get stomach upset, I guess we’ll be stuck with the expensive food made with cheap ingredients.

  • Melissa

    Christina-

    Only two cans??? I own several dogs with pancreatitis issues and I can assure you, I fed ID(or Purina EN-both the same) for at least one MONTH after bouts of the pancreatitis. Make no mistake, pancreatitis can kill your dog, and kill him very quickly. I am surprised given the vomitting and bloody stool that he was not hospitalized for at least 24 hrs on IV fluids to prevent a crash. Given the fact that he developed this while on a home cooked diet tells you that something was not right with the diet.

    At your next recheck appt,(or before you run out of the ID) please speak with your vet regarding long term maintanence of pancreatitis dogs. Typically speaking, you can wean them onto a commercial diet but he will require a lower fat food(less than 12 percent typically) If your homecooked diet was the culprit(and it appears to be) then he needs to get off of it or this will reoccur.

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