Foods Equivalent To Hills Prescription Diet

twinkles21

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Poor Noriel has been having problems with rashing around her face and they put her on antibiotics for a infection, but it didn't clear it up completely. They've put her on Hills z/d prescription diet, for skin/food sensitives. It's believed to be a allergy, and the plan was to keep her on the allergy diet for 12 weeks to see if it clears up.

Today is the first day, just picked up the food and she won't eat it. She gets 1 weighed meal 4 times a day, she had only a couple bites of her supper and she wouldn't touch it for her snack. I'm going to go back to the vet tomorrow, but does anyone know if there's another 'store' equivalent to this food?
Hill's® Prescription Diet® z/d® Feline - canned
 

Furballsmom

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Also, if she continues to be stubborn, try some toppers and enticements depending on what's allowed for her; there is bonito flakes, fortiflora, kitten replacement milk, kitten glop (recipes are on the internet), tuna, heating the food slightly (be sure to stir it after microwaving), canned kitten food, crumbled treats. Best of luck!!
 

mschauer

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Please be aware that a big difference between the Hill's product and the limited ingredient products listed is that the only animal protein contained in the Hill's is hydrolyzed. That means the protein molecules have been broken down such that the cat's body won't react to it if it is an allergen.

The reason your vet wants you to feed the Hill's is because you need to eliminate any possible allergens from your cat's diet. If you feed a food, even a limited ingredient one, other than the Hill's and it contains the protein your cat is allergic to, you are defeating the purpose of changing her diet.
 

Columbine

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Please be aware that a big difference between the Hill's product and the limited ingredient products listed is that the only animal protein contained in the Hill's is hydrolyzed. That means the protein molecules have been broken down such that the cat's body won't react to it if it is an allergen.

The reason your vet wants you to feed the Hill's is because you need to eliminate any possible allergens from your cat's diet. If you feed a food, even a limited ingredient one, other than the Hill's and it contains the protein your cat is allergic to, you are defeating the purpose of changing her diet.
:yeah: Always consult your vet when considering changing a prescription food. As W Willowy and @verna davis said, there are other brands ofprescription food available, so discussing trying one of those instead of the Hills z/d is the best way forward.

Also, be aware that trying different food toppers might not be the best approach for Noriel at this time. Whilst usually a great idea, adding toppers when feeding a prescritpion allery diet could defeat the whole purpose of feeding it, as you'd be potentially adding allergens back in.

I hope you can find a food that works for your girl and her allergies soon :crossfingers::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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twinkles21

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Please be aware that a big difference between the Hill's product and the limited ingredient products listed is that the only animal protein contained in the Hill's is hydrolyzed. That means the protein molecules have been broken down such that the cat's body won't react to it if it is an allergen.

The reason your vet wants you to feed the Hill's is because you need to eliminate any possible allergens from your cat's diet. If you feed a food, even a limited ingredient one, other than the Hill's and it contains the protein your cat is allergic to, you are defeating the purpose of changing her diet.
Thank you for this, it's good to know.

Originally she went for a biopsy for this and the lab lost her sample for a week. :frown: because she was feeling so badly and wouldn't eat without pain, they gave a very small dose of prednisolone while the lab tried to find her samples. well the pred helped. considerably actually, the rash was healing up and she can eat without pain, wasn't sleeping as much, playing more, etc.

well the lab found her sample and said it was a superficial infection? The vet called a dermatologist just because she said the pred wouldn't have helped if it was just an infection? in fact it would have made it worse. The dermatologist said it was likely an allergy, she may very well have a very minor infection, but the majority of it islikely the allergy.

They wanted her to eat only the hypoallergenic food, no toppers, no treats, nothing else for 12 weeks, but the tortitude is strong with this one :frustrated:She won't eat this food, she won't eat the same food for every meal, she won't eat it out of the fridge, etc.

If it has to be prescription diet, maybe I can get multiple different brands, with different flavors? I'm heading back to the vet today, i'll see what they say.
 
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twinkles21

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Yes, Her favorite is/was the fancy feast chunky chicken. For some reason it was discontinued in our area and we switched to FF chicken pate. She likes it considerably less, but will still eat it. When the rash started I felt so badly for her, I started giving her 'the favorites' Weruva tru-luxe and performatrin ultra. Incidentally the rash/pain seemed much less on the those? But I live in the arse-end part of Canada and they're like $2-$4 per can :confused:
 

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There are other "prescription" brands, too. Royal Canin and Purina. You could try the hydrolyzed protein version of one of them.
What difference does it make? All of them only concentrate on hydrolyzing protein instead of completely eliminating it.
 

Willowy

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What difference does it make? All of them only concentrate on hydrolyzing protein instead of completely eliminating it.
Because the problem here seems to be that the cat is supposed to be on a hydrolyzed diet for 12 weeks to see if this is an allergy issue. They can't try an elimination diet until they know it's a protein allergy. She doesn't like the Hill's food. She may like the other brands better.
 
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