Hill’s Prescription Diet J/D Canine (Canned)

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Rating: ★½☆☆☆

Hill’s Prescription Diet J/D canned dog food receives the Advisor’s below-average rating of 1.5 stars.

Hill’s Prescription Diet J/D Canine Mobility canned dog food meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance.

Hill's Prescription Diet J/D Canine

Canned Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Protein = 20% | Fat = 19% | Carbs = 53%

Ingredients: Water, rice, liver, meat by-products, whole grain corn, lamb, rice flour, flaxseed, fish oil, cracked pearled barley, soybean meal, egg product, powdered cellulose, soybean oil, chicken liver flavor, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, iron oxide, l-lysine, iodized salt, vitamin E supplement, choline chloride, glucosamine hydrochloride, l-tryptophan, taurine, soy lecithin, ascorbic acid (source of vitamin C), l-carnitine, l-arginine, zinc oxide, ferrous sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, chondroitin sulfate, beta-carotene, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, niacin, calcium pantothenate, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, biotin, vitamin D3 supplement, riboflavin, calcium iodate, folic acid, sodium selenite

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3.1%

Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients

The first ingredient in this dog food is water, which adds nothing but moisture to this food. Water is a routine finding in most canned dog foods.

The second ingredient is lamb liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal. So long as it’s not over-weighted in a dog food, lamb liver is a beneficial component.

The third ingredient is rice. Is this whole grain rice, brown rice or white rice? Since the word “rice” doesn’t tell us much, it’s difficult to judge the quality of this particular item.

The next item includes pork by-products, slaughterhouse waste. This is what’s left of a slaughtered pig after all the prime cuts have been removed.

Basically, pork by-products are the unsavory leftovers of slaughter operations deemed “unfit for human consumption”.

Though it does contain all ten essential amino acids a dog needs for life, we do not consider pork by-products a quality ingredient.

The fifth ingredient 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 sixth ingredient is lamb. Lamb is considered “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered” lamb and associated with skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.1

Lamb is considered a quality meat.

The seventh ingredient is rice flour. Rice flour is made from either white or brown rice and is considered a good gluten-free substitute for wheat flour.

The eighth 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 ninth ingredient is dried whey. Whey is a by-product of the cheese industry. This particular form of whey is high in the milk sugar, lactose (about 70%) but low in protein.

It’s used in canned dog foods as a gelling agent and is an item with little 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, powdered cellulose, a non-digestible plant fiber usually made from the by-products of vegetable processing. 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.

Next, soybean meal. Soybean meal is actually a useful by-product. It’s what remains of soybeans after all the oil has been removed.

Soybean meal contains 48% protein. However, compared to meat, this is an inferior plant-based protein. Soybean oil has been red flagged here only due to its controversial (yet unlikely) link to canine food allergies.

And finally, we note this food contains chelated mineralsminerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

Hill’s Prescription Diet J/D Canned 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 J/D canned dog food appears to be a below-average wet product.

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 20%, a fat level of 19% and an estimated carbohydrate content of 53%.

Low protein. Below-average fat. And high carbohydrates… when compared to a typical canned dog food.

With no evidence of any plant-based protein concentrates, this appears to be the profile of a wet food containing only a limited amount of meat.

Bottom line?

Hill’s Prescription Diet J/D canned dog food is a grain-based wet product using only a modest amount of lamb liver as its main source of animal protein… thus earning the brand 1.5 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

07/26/2010 Original review
11/12/2011 Review updated, no changes

  1. Adapted by the Dog Food Advisor and based upon the official definition for beef published by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, 2008 Edition
Dog Food Advisor IconThe Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.


  • Chrissy

    We have four pugs now…I was on here awhile back when we were going through liver shunt with out beloved pug Daisy. She passed away during her second operation. It was a long road and there were so many things that went wrong. W ehave adopted two new girls, both pugs. They were in really bad situations and one of our new little girls has HD, luxating patellas, and spondylosis all stage four and secondary osteoarthritis. She is only 2 years old. SHe is not a surgical candidate. We were told that there is a surgery that can be done in two parts, however if anything even the slightest thing were to go wrong we would be facing putting her down. We are medically managing her.
    We are looking for a diet for her. We were told Science Diet J/D dry to feed her by the vets…however we have been talking to many others who have orthopedic dogs and they claim this is not the way to go with these dogs. I know that one cannot give medical advice, but are there anything we should be looking for when choosing a dog food for her needs? I really want to feed her a good diet and get her going on the right supplements. I appreciate your time! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

  • http://brotherscomplete.com Richard Darlington

    Mike P

    That can happen if she ate too much fat at one time and she wasn’t used to it. If you give her a small piece and then each day a little more her system would have a chance to adapt to it. Of course there is the off chance that she PREFERS raw meaty bones and is trying to train YOU to give her what she prefers…LOL.

  • Mike P

    I gave my dog beef trachea twice and she threw up both times. She’s doing alot better witth RMB’s .

  • http://brotherscomplete.com Richard Darlington

    Nancy

    I agree with Shameless and would also add chicken necks and turkey necks as a huge natural source of Glucosamine Chondroitin as well as a way to maintain dental health.

    I would also like to add that our experience with hundreds of dogs is that any grain/potato in the diet has a tendency to dry out or interfere with the effective lubrication of the joints to make matters worse. Consequently, I would recommend switching to a raw diet or a good grain/potato free kibble. I have no science to back this up – only real life experiences with lots of dogs whose joints improved after getting off grain/potato and adding turkey necks to their diet.

  • ShamelessRawFoodie

    Nancy – For dog joint health, you can feed raw chicken feet or beef trachea.
    Find a local source: http://www.eatwild.com/products/index.html

    Free- Range Organic Chicken Feet
    Chicken feet are an excellent supplement as they contain Glucosamine and Chondroitin. Glucosamine aids in the repair and renewal of damaged or worn cartilage and Chondroitin helps neutralize the destructive enzymes and improves the quality of the synovial fluid.
    http://www.totallyrawdogfood.com/Products.aspx

    Beef Trachea chews are hollow and come from the windpipe of a bull. The cartilage that lines the outside of the trachea provides the added health benefits of a naturally occurring form of glucosamine and chondroitin.
    http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/999410.aspx

  • Nancy

    I have a 17 year old that obviously has arthritis. She takes joint chewable supplements and Omega 3, along with Metacam and a multi vitamin. My vet recommended Hill’s JD and mix it in with her blue buffalo (that she doesn’t like and it might be the size of the kibbles, but 2 of my dogs don’t like blue). I know you said you don’t recommend JD but based on it’s contents, what is in it that would help with arthritis that I could try and find supplements for and not use the JD food?

  • Gordon

    Ha ha – What a lack luster rebuttal. By the way, don’t you worry about my dogs’ health. I spend enough time on this aspect, and they’re doing just super thanks. Rather than this becoming a tit for tat childish array of postings, that I’ve allowed myself to be involved in, I’ll allow you to knock yourself out and have the last word.

  • melissa

    LOL.. Oh please Gordon, do not flatter youself.

  • Gordon

    You know melissa, I don’t know what your level of education reached was, nor am I interested but I get the impression, it isn’t of substantial level. But I can tell that you really don’t have a good grasp of what I am communicating, and appear to dispute almost any mostly factual statements that I make, bar the flea comment, of which mind you, I clarified. You seem to have a problem digesting or accepting any statements backed up or otherwise, with a dismissive attitude eluding to the impression that you appear self centred and one track minded. For that, I really can’t help you. That’s something you may have to work on, to change yourself. I doubt that you would, given your often snide comments.

    As for me, I am always up for the challenge with an enthusiastic thirst for knowledge and willingness to research multiple scientific sources on not just topics of this website, but anything in general.

  • melissa

    Gordon-

    There is no need for me to “gather information from other sources” when I am not stating something as fact or making an ascertation that appears to be larger than life.One comment I stated as fact was re- Safeheart and info to verify was in fact provided. Common sense apparently is not so common when one makes a statement without regard to the potential that the flea merely jumped off ones bedding left on an AC unit- As well, since I do possess common sense, I do not harbor any questions regarding your statements, hence no need to google and research. My only questions were why you would actually believe that the sun is rising every day and ridding this world of bacteria and fleas, lmao. For if that were the case, most of the world would be bug and disease free, and I could leave food out after a barbeque.

    Further, since you have visible fleas on your pet’s bedding, I would suggest that perhaps you are spending too much time googling exacting facts which could be better spent on making your living environment(and your dog’s) much healthier.

  • Gordon

    Absolutely! I never claimed otherwise. And if you note, I now state after any of my comments that favour raw feeding, to of course “Take all common sense sanitary precautions” I’m more than happy, as I have when a few might dwell further from my comments and ask me to elaborate, that I do, and will explain if further necessary, of the kinds of sanitary precautions ones should take. As of course any of us who are in the know, including yourself, do.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Gordon… On one thing we can obviously agree. Neither of us has any problem recommending raw meaty bones. Or feeding quality raw diets of any kind. That should be evident.

    However, I’m sure you can also agree that because thousands of visitors drop by here daily in hopes of learning more about these superior types of diets, we’re also obligated to caution them regarding the risks of handling raw meats. In that sense, the ongoing discussion could easily be misinterpreted by the less informed that sunlight might negate that concern. Would you agree with that?

  • Gordon

    Melissa – I just stated facts with scientific sources. I never see you do the same? Why not venture outside this website to gather numerous sources and see if answers to any questions you may have, align? Now that doesn’t imply that Mike’s website isn’t factual or informative. Quite the contrary. It is very informative, factual on most accounts and aligns wit many other sources of information I’ve read from elsewhere.

  • Gordon

    Mike – I’ve just checked that comment of mine you quoted, which was under the Dry Food and the Myth of Cleaner Teeth and yes I stated “My dogs, and that would be every dog that is given raw meaty bones, will use their jaws and front scissor teeth and move around, or move their head etc, so the bones don’t stay eaten from the bowl only. That’s why I give it to them outside in the back yard, and come the next day, daylight and sunshine naturally kill bacteria off, so that’s not a problem.”…..And yes, on a number of accounts you have misunderstood and how!

    Now, where in the above quote did I say that any bones are left out the next day for sun radiation sterilisation? Of course I’m going to give my dogs raw meaty bones outside and not inside at the dinner table. That would be ludicrous! And did I not say to Melissa, that my dogs nor would I imagine any dogs would leave any remnants or fragments of any meat and bones from a serve of same to them? That means, dogs eat and crunch such raw meaty bones then and there as I supervise them to make sure they don’t choke on any during feeding. So that means they complete all and any serve of this leaving absolutely no remnants behind. Now what does that mean……It means come the next day, there aren’t any remnants left over for any of it to be sitting outside exposed to the elements.

    I also stated that same communication to Melissa when responding to her question….of that my dogs do not leave any remnants of such foods for it to be exposed to the sun the next day. This being unlike road side carcasses. Completely two different scenarios.

    And yes I, just like you, do passionately defend my claims and back them up with numerous references. Is this a problem? Is it a case of Mike’s way or the highway? Is this not an open forum on the topic of canine nutrition and related?

    Can you see the difference between feeding a dog raw meaty bones as a last snack of the day, where the dog leaves no remnants behind, and therefore not exposed to weather elements the next day, other than any possible moistness residue which would dry up and upon the sun’s UV radiation and of even rain either dry up and neutralise any possible growth of bacteria or washed away by rain. Either way, nature’s elements of natural cleaning. Did I not say with regard to my dogs’ bowls on a number of occasions that I disinfect them, then wipe them down?

    It appears you have grossly misunderstood me in these cases. I’m happy to defend anything I stated and am also happy to admit error as I did earlier regarding the method of ridding fleas from dog bedding.

    You appear to me that you feel I am misleading people, or that perhaps my communication is not clear. Otherwise, I haven’t the slightest idea on what the purpose of your offense to my public message regarding the benefits of feeding raw meaty bones and raw foods to dogs actually are!

    Also do I not add to such public messages, to exercise common sense sanitary precautions?

    I’m happy to either defend or elaborate on any further quotes of mine you dispute, and wish to air. If so, I’ll await further quotes of your so-dubbed misrepresentation and irresponsibility you claim I am making?

    Are you getting the picture yet?

  • melissa

    Gordon-

    We have been discussing raw meaty bones and your reason for giving them outside versus in the house. Your claim was that the sunlight would “disinfect” if you will the bones and/or the area in which the raw meaty bone may have come in contact with. While sunlight may disenfect to “some degree” give the proper strength and duration needed, it can not be used in defense when one is questioned about the potential from bacteria by feeding such product. Under no circumstances would I suggest that a dog be left with raw product outside on a warm day, let alone a hot one, or even with a rawhide bone for that matter. Each can become a festering mess of bacteria and contaminate. Instead, if someone were looking to give this in the safest manner(from a bacteria prospective) I would suggest it be given on a tile or other (limited space) non porous surface which could in fact be disenfected after the dog has finished their treat.

    As I have said before, everyone is entitled to present their ideas, thoughts or beliefs, but presenting such information as fact, rather than opinion can/could have devastating results for less informed readers.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Gordon… You first brought up the subject of sunlight and raw meat on May 4, when you said to Jonathan: “My dogs, and that would be every dog that is given raw meaty bones, will use their jaws and front scissor teeth and move around, or move their head etc, so the bones don’t stay eaten from the bowl only. That’s why I give it to them outside in the back yard, and come the next day, daylight and sunshine naturally kill bacteria off, so that’s not a problem.”

    Since that time, whenever you’ve been challenged about that claim (that sunlight kills bacteria on raw meat), you’ve repeatedly posted comments defending your position.

    For example, on May 7 Melissa asked you “Gordon, I have seen you post this comment many times and have to ask…What makes you believe that raw meaty bones baking in the sun “kills off” the bacteria rather than making it grow and flourish?”

    On May 8, you responded to Melissa with a lengthy post (complete with a number of references) and including the words, “I’m going by many media reports such as current affairs programs etc, that from time to time have experts such as microbiologists stating how sunlight’s radiation kills bacteria in the open.”

    There have been many other comments since then (including the ones today) passionately defending your claim regarding the protective power of sunlight on raw meat . Am I wrong in my understanding of your position?

  • Gordon

    Mike – Please quote me on where I ever stated to leave raw meaty bones outside under the sun’s natural UV rays?

    I’m waiting with anticipation. Also, might I suggest you not hastily read my postings however long they may be, and digest same carefully.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Gordon… Pathogenic bacteria (like E. coli and Salmonella) can be lethal to humans (and other animals). Sure, under ideal conditions, UV light can be bactericidal.

    However, natural sunlight absolutely (positively) does not sterilize raw meat. That is preposterous. Animal tissue infected with disease-causing bacteria is extremely hazardous to humans (especially young children, the elderly and immune-compromised individuals).

    Unfortunately, your persistent suggestion that raw meat left outdoors in sunlight is safe to handle is not accurate and medically irresponsible.

  • Gordon

    Ironically, I am a ghost of sorts, but not in the context of my above comment, lol

  • Gordon

    Maybe Jonathan. I Might be in hospital along with numerous other raw feeders affected by these raw meat contamination, and not even know it. Or perhaps, you’re talking to a ghost who like, in the Bruce Willis film, The 6th Sense, and not even realised that I or others have died from such contamination.

    And actually, no, the subject at late, at least between Melissa and I, was about road side carcasses and the common back yard. I said previously, that my dogs don’t leave any meat or bone fragments after a raw meaty bone feed. I can’t imagine any dog would, unless not having the jaw strength or strong teeth from lack of previous such feeds, or for any other minority and isolated cases.

  • Jonathan

    That’s all great, Gordon, but we are talking about potential contamination from meaty bones, right? Because bones are 3-D objects with nooks, crannies, and an entire underside that may not be exposed to the direct UV’s. therefore, those areas become great little warm breeding grounds for the types of bacteria that can hurt people.

  • Gordon

    Mea Culpa on the information that fleas are killed off from dog bedding under sunshine. On further investigation and the reason why after I exposed my dogs bedding outside on a warm sunny day, then patted same down, and could not see any fleas is because most dog beds (my dogs’ included) are made of synthetic materials and fleas will jump off from the surface of these when exposed to direct sunshine and heat, as opposed to being killed. However, any eggs laid may still be embedded in the material and exposure to UV light does not get rid of these.

    With regard to bacteria, (As I’m of the mindset not to just dismiss something as laughable or incorrect based on a minimal of one website and one person), I did some extra research , including speaking over a phone conversation with a Craig, a microbiologist at the Department of Microbiology of La Trobe University, in Victoria, Australia, and he confirmed what I had heard several times on various current affairs programmes. He stated that the sun’s UV radiation can and does kill bacterias including salmonella and e. coli, in conjunction with dry heat, as bacterias and viruses for that matter, he said, can not survive because of the combined factors of heat, dryness and UV radiation. He went on to say, to keep in mind that such UV radiation on a warm cloudless day (full exposure to the sun’s rays) will reach surfaces and kill bacteria on those surfaces, but will not and can not penetrate surfaces, and therefore can not travel deeper into things beyond the surface.

    If anyone doubts I went through the trouble of making such further inquiries including a phone call to this Craig, you can phone +61 3 9479-1114 and confirm that a Gordon who had introduced himself as a general member of the public, spoke to Craig from La Trobe University, (a supposed expert in microbiology). You can also Google this phone number to confirm it comes from La Trobe University.

    I went on to further investigate what ever literature I could uncover and found the following where I quote from a CSRIO source and provide references:-

    “UV light rapidly inactivates microorganisms in culture, killing up to 4 log before the death rate slows” Shapton and Shapton 1991.

    “UV light causes permanent cross-links to form in the microbial DNA, preventing the cell from carrying out its normal functions” Sastry et al. 2000.

    “In general, anaerobic organisms are more sensitive to UV light than the aerobes, and Gram negative bacteria and rods are more sensitive than Gram positive and cocci” Sykes 1965….. “but successes have been reported against Salmonella on poultry” Wallner-Pendleton et al. 1994…… “and against Pseudomonas aeruginosa” Abshire and Dunton 1981.

    “The lethal effect of UV light varies with intensity and length of exposure, but temperature, pH, relative humidity and degree of initial contamination also affect its performance” Banwart 1989.

    “UV light has low penetrating power, because its inherent energy is low in comparison with ionising radiation, so any obstruction to the path of the rays, such as dust, shadowing or clumping of bacteria can reduce efficacy. So the effectiveness of UV light is less on a rough surface than on a smooth one” Huang and Toledo 1982; Stermer et al. 1987.

    Most studies have used low intensity UV for 9 minutes or more, but if high intensity UV light was used, exposure times could be less than 10 seconds (Stermer et al. 1987).

    Other sources include:-

    “UltraViolet Radiation…because of
    its bactericidal capabilities, UV light
    is useful as both a research tool
    and a sterilizing technique”
    Britannica
    Volume 12, page 118

    “Ultraviolet rays with wavelengths shorter than 300 nm are effective in killing bacteria and viruses.
    Hospitals use germicidal lamps that produce these short rays to sterilize surgical instruments,
    water, and the air in operating rooms…”
    1997 Edition Volume 20, page 17

    http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=BI9630885.pdf

    The Effects of Over Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation on the Growth of Plants and Bacteria at http://mypages.iit.edu/~smile/bi8802.html ……Conclusion:-

    “Experiments have shown that ultraviolet radiation damages and kills the cells of living organisms. The experiments performed in this project alone demonstrate this. We see examples of its deleterious effects not only in plants and bacteria but in human beings as well. Skin cancer is an example of this. It is caused by ultraviolet radiation being absorbed by our skin cells.There are, however, protective mechanisms in our bodies and in our environment that function to minimize or prevent the deleterious effects caused by over exposure of living organisms to ultraviolet radiation. Pigment, present in the skin of most human beings, and ozone, present in the stratosphere, both serve to absorb ultraviolet radiation.”

    Another source:-

    “UV causes adjacent thymine molecules to react with each other to form TT dimers. These dimers prevent DNA replication. DNA repair enzyme can excise them but mistakes are made during this repair which produces mutations.”
    Ron Baker, Ph.D

    http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/MicroBio_p017.shtml

    etc etc etc

    There’s countless and countless of similar literature to be found in support that the sun’s UV radiation can and does kill bacterias. Of course, the success of such, from all I’ve gathered today, in a nutshell, is dependent on the intensity of such radiation, the heat and dryness, humidity, and unhindered factors, to be a success in destroying bacteria, hence alter their DNA molecules blah blah blah……

    In addition hospitals will use “germicidal lamps” that emit concentrated UVC type radiation to ensure bacteria and virus destruction on the walls, floors, surfaces, and other areas of hospitals.

  • Meagan

    Thank you for putting my mind at ease about that. I do not want to be poisoning my babies by trying to save them from diseases. I am still learning everyday, even after going to school for it.