Hill’s Digestive Care is Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d, a highly digestible veterinary food meant for dogs recovering from digestive upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. It requires your veterinarian’s authorization, so it is not a food to pick up on a hunch.
What Is Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d?
The i/d line is Hill’s clinical nutrition for dogs with sensitive or upset digestive systems. The dry chicken recipe is built to be easy to digest and includes Hill’s ActivBiome+ blend of prebiotic fibers, which feed the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Vets often use it for short-term recovery, and sometimes longer for dogs with chronic gut conditions they have diagnosed.
Hill’s also makes wet versions, including low-fat options. Ask your vet which version fits your dog.
Ingredients to Know
Recipes change, so always check the current label. The dry chicken formula lists ingredients such as:
- Chicken, chicken meal and egg product for protein
- Cracked pearled barley, brown rice and brewers rice for digestible carbohydrates
- Chicken fat, flaxseed and fish oil for fat and omega fatty acids
- Dried beet pulp, a fiber source that supports stool quality
- Added electrolytes, B vitamins and taurine
It does contain grains, including whole grain corn in some listings, so it is not a grain-free food. For dogs with true food allergies, a different prescription diet may be a better fit (see our Hill’s z/d review).
Nutrition Numbers
Retail listings for the dry chicken recipe show roughly 21.5% protein and 10% fat, with about 4% crude fiber. Those figures are a guide only, and the bag in your hands is the final word. Check the guaranteed analysis printed on the current label.
Who It May Help
- Dogs recovering from an acute stomach or intestinal upset
- Dogs with chronic digestive conditions that your vet has diagnosed
- Dogs who need a highly digestible food during recovery
Who Should Skip It
- Healthy dogs with no digestive trouble. A regular complete-and-balanced food is enough.
- Dogs with ongoing vomiting or diarrhea that has not been checked by a vet. Persistent symptoms need a diagnosis, not just a diet change.
- Dogs with food allergies that call for a hydrolyzed or novel-protein diet
Brand Safety Background
Hill’s was among the brands involved in the 2007 melamine pet food recalls, and has had other recalls since. Check the FDA recall page before you buy if you want the latest information.
Feeding Tips
- Switch foods gradually over several days unless your vet says otherwise.
- Follow your vet’s feeding amount and the feeding chart on the bag.
- Do not add lots of extras or treats while the gut is healing.
- Keep fresh water available at all times.
Alternatives to Ask Your Vet About
Other vet-authorized digestive foods exist, including Royal Canin Gastrointestinal. For mild, occasional stomach sensitivity in an otherwise healthy dog, an over-the-counter option like Iams sensitive stomach dog food may be worth discussing too.
Bottom Line
Hill’s Digestive Care (i/d) is a well-known, highly digestible prescription food that can help dogs recover from digestive upset, but only under your vet’s guidance. Check the current ingredient list and guaranteed analysis on the bag before you buy.
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If your dog has vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite, call your veterinarian.
