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My dog has protein intolerance. Need Hill's Z/D food alternatives?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

My one year-old French bulldog and Boston terrier mix was diagnosed with a food intolerance. Her body is unable to break down the proteins in her food. Hope veterinarian prescribed hills ZD ultra canned dog food. I am thrilled with the hills brand reviews that I have been seeing. Can you recommend a different food that I can feed her.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA

Veterinarian

Published on December 2nd, 2017

Without a full diet history it is impossible to prescribe a diet. Hills z/d is a hydrolyzed formula where all the proteins have been broken down (akin to being pre-digested) into small pieces so the immune system should not react to them and so should resolve the food intolerance symptoms, it is easily digested and highly absorbable by even the most sensitive bowel. A similar, hydrolyzed option is royal canin hypoallergenic or anallergenic and many pets find these extremely palatable. Some cases can do well on a 'novel protein diet' of home prepared food based on a protein source which she has never eaten before. This should be formulated only by a specialist nutritionist - tufts university clinical nutrition team are available by phone or appointment to help with this but it can be extremely expensive and time consuming to feed such a specific and strict diet and commercial brands are often more successful in resolving symptoms in the long term

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