Hill's Prescription Diet z/d is a specialized veterinary diet designed for cats and dogs with food sensitivities and skin conditions. This article delves into the ingredients, benefits, and overall purpose of this diet, providing a comprehensive understanding for pet owners and veterinary professionals alike.
The Core Purpose: Addressing Food Sensitivities
Food sensitivities and intolerances can manifest in pets as skin irritation, ear conditions, and digestive upset. These adverse food reactions, often stemming from food allergies or intolerances, necessitate a diet specifically formulated to address these sensitivities. Hill's Prescription Diet z/d is crafted to do just that, helping to avoid these adverse reactions.
Key Features & Benefits
This diet boasts several key features that contribute to its effectiveness:
- Hydrolyzed Proteins: The cornerstone of Hill's z/d is the use of highly hydrolyzed proteins. These proteins are broken down into smaller fragments, making them less likely to be recognized by the pet's immune system, thus reducing the risk of an allergic reaction. The cat food is formulated without intact animal protein sources.
- Skin Health Promotion: Rich in Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids, Hill's Prescription Diet z/d promotes skin health and regeneration. These fatty acids contribute to a healthy skin barrier and help alleviate food-related skin irritations.
- Digestive Health Support: The diet is highly digestible, facilitating easy nutrient absorption. Furthermore, it includes Hill's ActivBiome+ Digestion, a proprietary blend of prebiotic fibers clinically shown to rapidly activate the gut microbiome. This supports digestive health, improves stool quality, and promotes overall well-being.
- Urinary Health (Cat Food): The cat food version includes S+OXSHIELD, formulated to promote a urinary environment that reduces the risk of developing struvite and calcium oxalate crystals.
- Antioxidant Support: Clinically proven antioxidants are included to help support a healthy immune system.
Hill's ActivBiome+ Technology
A key innovation in Hill's Prescription Diet z/d is the inclusion of ActivBiome+ ingredient technology. This breakthrough is clinically shown to rapidly activate the gut microbiome, supporting digestive health and overall well-being. Prebiotics, which nourish gut bacteria, play a crucial role in influencing a pet's overall health.
Available Forms
Hill's Prescription Diet z/d is available in both wet and dry food formulations for both dogs and cats:
Read also: Digestive Health with Hill's
- For Dogs:
- i/d Chicken Flavor Dog Food: A highly digestible, great-tasting dry food.
- i/d Chicken & Vegetable Stew Dog Food: A highly digestible, great-tasting wet food.
- For Cats:
- z/d Hydrolyzed Wet Cat Food: Specially formulated to help cats with food sensitivities and to help avoid adverse food reactions.
Ingredients Spotlight (z/d Wet Cat Food)
To provide a clearer picture, let's examine the ingredient list for Hill's Prescription Diet z/d Hydrolyzed Wet Cat Food:
- Hydrolyzed Chicken Liver
- Water
- Corn Starch
- Coconut Oil
- Ground Pecan Shells
- Calcium Carbonate
- Fish Oil
- Powdered Cellulose
- Dicalcium Phosphate
- Flaxseed
- Dried Beet Pulp
- Potassium Chloride
- Dried Citrus Pulp
- Choline Chloride
- Cysteine
- Iodized Salt
- Potassium Citrate
- Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid)
- DL-Methionine
- Soybean Oil
- Pressed Cranberries
- Calcium Sulfate
- Taurine
- Minerals (Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate)
- Beta-Carotene
Guaranteed Analysis (z/d Wet Cat Food)
The guaranteed analysis provides a breakdown of the nutrient content:
- Protein: 7.0%
- Fat: 2.5%
- Carbohydrate/NFE: 10.1%
- Crude Fiber: 1.5%
- Calcium: 0.21%
- Phosphorus: 0.2%
- Potassium: 0.25%
- Sodium: 0.09%
- Magnesium: 0.015%
- Taurine: 0.11%
Feeding Considerations
It's crucial to consult with a veterinarian before switching your pet to Hill's Prescription Diet z/d. A vet can accurately diagnose food sensitivities and determine if this diet is the appropriate solution.
Palatability and Satisfaction Guarantee
Hill's is dedicated to creating palatable food for pets. If, for any reason, you're not satisfied with a product purchased from an authorized seller, you can return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a refund or replacement.
The Importance of Veterinary Input
When it comes to your pet, your veterinarian is your best source of information and care. It’s their unbiased feedback that helps Hill's maintain and refine their pet food formulas. Hill's Prescription Diet is the #1 US Vet Recommended therapeutic pet food - consult with your vet to make sure Prescription Diet z/d is the right food for your cat.
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Read also: Dog Digestive Care with Hill's i/d
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