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  1. #1
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    Hill's Prescription Diet g/d feedback or preferable alternative

    Hello,

    Our vet recommended we switch our older black lab over to Hill's Prescription Diet g/d to address some health issues that are starting to arise. My impression of Hill's has always been that it's overpriced for what you're getting, though not necessarily a bad food. Our vet is charging $79.99 for a 27 lbs bag of dry food and about $3/can for wet food.

    Is there a higher quality alternative to a food like this? This food is designed to address kidney disease, heart disease, and pancreatitis. He doesn't have any of these, but his kidney levels were higher than they should be she said. She thinks his current food is too high in protein and fat for his age and a food like this would be better. His current food is a combination of Kirkland grain free dry food and wet food.

    I would certainly like a lower priced option. I don't mind paying a premium for the food, but want to make sure if I am paying a premium, it's the best food for him.

    Please let me know if I can provide anymore info. Thank you for any insight you might have.

  2. #2
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    While I don't, in general, like Science Diet food....the prescription formulas have their place for the illness they are prescribed for. And honestly, I am a huge fan of their diet food called "Metabolic".

    I would try the food for a bag or two and see how it goes. If you need no improvement...then you don't have to feed it anymore. If you do see improvement, you can probably do some research to find similar protein source, protein % and fat %.

    And BTW, you can get prescription food cheaper through Chewy.com. Maybe not ALOT but it will help a bit.

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  4. #3
    Puppy
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    Quote Originally Posted by JenC View Post
    While I don't, in general, like Science Diet food....the prescription formulas have their place for the illness they are prescribed for. And honestly, I am a huge fan of their diet food called "Metabolic".

    I would try the food for a bag or two and see how it goes. If you need no improvement...then you don't have to feed it anymore. If you do see improvement, you can probably do some research to find similar protein source, protein % and fat %.

    And BTW, you can get prescription food cheaper through Chewy.com. Maybe not ALOT but it will help a bit.
    Thanks for the feedback. Negativity around Science Diet is driving a lot of my hesitation with the prescription diet. Hearing something positive about it is certainly helpful.

  5. #4
    Senior Dog
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    My only experience with prescription food was for my cat when she was on a feeding tube. It was not Science Diet, but agree with JenC about Chewy.com.

    The e-vet who prescribed the food encouraged me to shop around for a better price vs. buying through them. My regular vet could order it as well as a few other pet stores but Chewy.com was by far the cheapest.

    Again, my experience is with prescription cat food that was canned. The e-vet sold by the can so I bought some to start with and make sure she tolerated it before placing a larger order elsewhere (other than the e-vet, I had to buy a case). Point being, you may want to shop around for a smaller size bag to see if your dog tolerates it, then shop for price. I got the best price by doing subscribe and save. She went back on her normal food before the second shipment and I had no issues cancelling the subscription after the initial order.


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  6. #5
    Real Retriever Beth C's Avatar
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    I'd stick with the prescription food until his lab work normalizes. If pancreatitis is a major concern, many people have had success with Annamaet Lean. It's also pricey, but the ingredients are better. https://www.chewy.com/annamaet-grain...w-fat/dp/49327

  7. #6
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    Similarly to Jen above, I also was not a fan of the foods, the ingredients or the companies but when the vet recommended I put my senior on a kidney prescription diet - I did. I complained a lot but I did. I mixed with some home cooked food (HILARY'S BLEND (formerly THE BALANCER) supplement for home-made meals).

    I fed Hills and SC for the prescription kibble. He ate a mix of the kibble and the home cooked for a year and a half ish.

    There is a "better" line of prescription foods but it is INCREDIBLY expensive so I couldn't consider it (home cooking was much cheaper!) 400 Bad Request

 



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