In this article on our site we are going to talk about a well-known brand of animal feed. This is Hill's. Specifically, we will review the composition and varieties of Hill's food for dogs and cats.
We will also verify that they have a range for veterinary use, which allows feeding animals with specific ailments, such as kidney disease or disorders digestives, of course, as long as the vet so prescribes.
Hill's brand origin
Hill's is an American company that began in 1939. Dedicated to animal nutrition, its founder was veterinarian Mark Morris. His philosophy was to offer a quality feed to animals, since he considered it a basic pillar to improve their life expectancy and provide them with a he althy existence. Morris, as a veterinarian, had had the opportunity to see the relationship between the diet of his patients and their he alth.
In this sense, and with the aim of correcting this problem, its brand has a special impact on the formulation of diets that serve as part of the treatment of different diseases In fact, on the company's website they explain that the inspiration came to Dr. Morris when he met Buddy, a German shepherd dog with disease kidney who was a guide for a blind person. Looking for a diet that favored the care of his kidneys, since there was none on the market, Hill's was born, with a first product made by Morris, together with his wife, in the kitchen of his own HouseThus, the brand's first feed was what is now known as Prescription Diet k/d.
A few years later, in 1948, he joined the company Hill's, which could package his food, giving the first step of the brand, which was renamed Hill's Pet Nutrition Over the years the range and research has been expanded, also producing food for he althy animals. The company passed into the hands of the founder's son and today has more than 50 varieties Each one is carefully formulated by a team ofveterinarians and nutritionists and only ingredients that meet their quality standards are used. The entire manufacturing process is also audited.
As a curiosity, Hill's has facilities where it houses 450 dogs and 450 cats to test its products. Of course, the animals are cared for following animal welfare criteria and do not undergo any invasive study that could cause them discomfort. On the other hand, Hill's collaborates with protective associations, offering Hill's feed for dogs and cats and helping to adopt these animals. They also have wet food and a range of prizes.
Hill's dry food for dogs
Hill's dry food for dogs and cats offers three different ranges to cover the nutritional needs of animals during all stages of their life, whether they are sick or he althy. These are the varieties for dogs:
- Science Plan: would be the generic range. It includes varieties for dogs of all ages, from puppies to adults of different sizes and older specimens. They also have varieties without grains and for different vital situations, such as stress, mobility problems, digestive problems or being overweight. Depending on the ingredients, you can choose between chicken, lamb or tuna.
- Prescription Diet: the products in this range are intended for dogs of different sizes suffering from a disease, so they can only be prescribed the veterinarians. They are foods for dogs with diabetes, obesity, food allergies, dermatological, mobility, liver, kidney, digestive or urinary problems. Varieties can also be found to combat more than one disease at the same time. There are options with both meat and fish.
- Vet Essentials: is a range that offers what they consider to be five essential benefits for canine he alth, depending on life stage or need special that manifests the dog. There are options for puppies and adults and for sterilized specimens or those with dental problems. A grain-free variety can also be chosen.
Hill's dry food for cats
Regarding the ranges, there are no differences in Hill's dry food for dogs and cats. Thus, these are also the options available for our feline companions:
- Science Plan: range offering varieties for kittens and cats of all ages. Different circumstances are also considered, such as sterilization, urinary problems, being overweight, aging or the prevention of hairballs. They also have grain-free versions. They are made with chicken, duck, tuna or lamb.
- Prescription Diet: is the range of veterinary prescription that our veterinarian can only prescribe if the cat suffers from any pathology such as obesity, diabetes, thyroid gland, digestive, liver, kidney, urinary or joint problems, as well as food sensitivities. Even some varieties are used to treat several pathologies at the same time. They can be found with meat or fish.
- Vet Essentials: Offers advanced nutrition based on five benefits they consider key. There are options for kittens and adults and for specimens with dental problems or sterilized. They also have a grain-free option.
Composition of Hill's dry food for dogs and cats
Logically, the composition will vary depending on the product we choose. Being the first feed made by the brand, we will take as an example the famous k/d, for feeding dogs with kidney disease. It belongs to the Prescription Diet range and is made with:
- Cereals.
- Oils.
- Fats.
- Eggs and egg products.
- Vegetable protein extracts.
- Meat and animal by-products.
- Minerals.
What this feed focuses on is controlling the quantity and quality of the protein provided. This is because in this disease it is necessary to avoid an excess of proteins that would overload the kidneys. Hence this composition. For more information, you can consult this other article on Dog food composition.
As a counterpoint, we can review the ingredients of the Science Plan range with chicken for adult cats. In this case, components such as:
- Chicken and turkey meal.
- Wheat.
- Corn.
- Animal fat.
- Rice.
- Minerals.
- Fish oil.
- Vitamins.
- Taurine.
In this case, the percentage of protein is higher, as corresponds to the needs of a he althy adult cat. For more information, you can consult this other article on Composition of cat food.
Opinion on Hill's dry food for dogs and cats
In recent months I have bought two varieties from Hill's: the famous k/d for adult dogs with kidney failure and a more recent one, the Gastrointestinal Biome for adult dogs with gastrointestinal problems. Specifically, we chose the k/d mobility, which, in addition to caring for the renal system, is also recommended for dogs with joint problems, since my dog, a 11-year-old mestizo weighing 26 kg, seemed to have both disorders. The Biome strain was prescribed by the vet as part of the treatment for an elderly bitch who had had intermittent loose stools for over a month.
In both cases the dogs adapted to the feed perfectly and ate it with enthusiasm. Although for them it does not have much merit, because they do not usually disgust anything. The good consistency of your stools gives us an idea of digestibility. This aspect is especially important in the gastrointestinal variety. The bitch, who had been suffering from disorders for weeks, did not take even 48 hours to pass completely normal feces again and remained in perfect condition only with the feed, once the treatment was finished.
The two dogs, after a few weeks of feeding these feeds, were able to consume a senior variety corresponding to their age. It is important to remember that the Prescription Diet range can only be prescribed by a veterinarian. Some dogs will have to consume it throughout their lives, while in others this consumption will be temporary.
Honestly, as a first choice I prefer to choose feed that has meat as the first ingredient. But in diseases in which nutrition is essential, the composition, in my opinion, is behind its efficiency and this seems to be more than proven in Hill's Prescription Diet feeds.
