Hill's Prescription Diet z/d Original
Hill's z/d Original is a widely used hydrolyzed prescription kibble with a long clinical track record for managing adverse food reactions, making it a go-to for severe hypoallergenic cases. Compared with the other items on this list, z/d emphasizes extensively hydrolyzed protein and proven palatability, which often results in higher clinic adoption despite a premium price; it is less of a single-intact-protein elimination option but technically strong when intact-protein trials fail.
Ultra-hydrolyzed relief
Clinically proven calm
Ultra-hydrolyzed relief
Clinically proven calm
Review Summary
"Users report strong improvement in skin and gastrointestinal symptoms with Hill's z/d, though some note limited palatability and the high cost; many see long-term relief for food allergies."
Whisker-approved classic
Extensively hydrolyzed protein formula designed to reduce immune response to food antigens.
Whisker-approved classic
Extensively hydrolyzed protein formula designed to reduce immune response to food antigens.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Hill's z/d Original is a widely used hydrolyzed prescription kibble with a long clinical track record for managing adverse food reactions, making it a go-to for severe hypoallergenic cases. Compared with the other items on this list, z/d emphasizes extensively hydrolyzed protein and proven palatability, which often results in higher clinic adoption despite a premium price; it is less of a single-intact-protein elimination option but technically strong when intact-protein trials fail.
Ultra-hydrolyzed relief
Clinically proven calm
Whisker-approved classic
Extensively hydrolyzed protein formula designed to reduce immune response to food antigens.
Clinically tested to help control dermatologic and gastrointestinal signs of food intolerance.
Ultra-hydrolyzed relief
Clinically proven calm
Whisker-approved classic
Extensively hydrolyzed protein formula designed to reduce immune response to food antigens.
Clinically tested to help control dermatologic and gastrointestinal signs of food intolerance.
$90-160 USD
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hypoallergenic Hydrolyzed Protein
Royal Canin's hydrolyzed hypoallergenic diet offers a small-peptide formulation designed to minimize antigenicity while maintaining balanced nutrition and consistent kibble acceptance. In comparison to Hill's and Purina hydrolyzed options, Royal Canin is positioned as technically precise with a focus on formulation consistency and often competitive pricing or regionally optimized supply, making it a practical clinic choice for hydrolyzed therapy.
Hydrolyzed protein precision
Dermal-soothing formula
Hydrolyzed protein precision
Dermal-soothing formula
Review Summary
"Owners commonly praise Royal Canin Hydrolyzed for reducing allergic reactions and good digestibility; a few report picky eaters or mild stool changes during transition."
Clinic-favorite crunch
Uses hydrolyzed proteins to minimize antigenicity for dogs with suspected food hypersensitivity.
Clinic-favorite crunch
Uses hydrolyzed proteins to minimize antigenicity for dogs with suspected food hypersensitivity.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Royal Canin's hydrolyzed hypoallergenic diet offers a small-peptide formulation designed to minimize antigenicity while maintaining balanced nutrition and consistent kibble acceptance. In comparison to Hill's and Purina hydrolyzed options, Royal Canin is positioned as technically precise with a focus on formulation consistency and often competitive pricing or regionally optimized supply, making it a practical clinic choice for hydrolyzed therapy.
Hydrolyzed protein precision
Dermal-soothing formula
Clinic-favorite crunch
Uses hydrolyzed proteins to minimize antigenicity for dogs with suspected food hypersensitivity.
Formulated to support skin and digestive health during elimination trials.
Hydrolyzed protein precision
Dermal-soothing formula
Clinic-favorite crunch
Uses hydrolyzed proteins to minimize antigenicity for dogs with suspected food hypersensitivity.
Formulated to support skin and digestive health during elimination trials.
$80-140 USD
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA provides a hydrolyzed protein prescription kibble that emphasizes digestibility and evidence-based testing, frequently presenting a value-oriented option for practices and owners. Versus Hill's z/d and Royal Canin's hydrolyzed formula, Purina often competes on cost-effectiveness and broad availability in North America while delivering similar technical benefits for patients requiring a hypoallergenic hydrolyzed diet.
Hydrolyzed allergy control
Palate-friendly crunch
Hydrolyzed allergy control
Palate-friendly crunch
Review Summary
"Purina Pro Plan HA is noted for effectiveness and comparatively good value, with many owners reporting reduced symptoms after consistent use; some dogs are initially hesitant to eat it."
Sensitive-tummy saver
Contains extensively hydrolyzed protein source to reduce allergic reactions.
Sensitive-tummy saver
Contains extensively hydrolyzed protein source to reduce allergic reactions.
Increased Safety & Security
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA provides a hydrolyzed protein prescription kibble that emphasizes digestibility and evidence-based testing, frequently presenting a value-oriented option for practices and owners. Versus Hill's z/d and Royal Canin's hydrolyzed formula, Purina often competes on cost-effectiveness and broad availability in North America while delivering similar technical benefits for patients requiring a hypoallergenic hydrolyzed diet.
Hydrolyzed allergy control
Palate-friendly crunch
Sensitive-tummy saver
Contains extensively hydrolyzed protein source to reduce allergic reactions.
Includes supportive nutrients for skin and coat, and is formulated for gastrointestinal tolerance.
Hydrolyzed allergy control
Palate-friendly crunch
Sensitive-tummy saver
Contains extensively hydrolyzed protein source to reduce allergic reactions.
Includes supportive nutrients for skin and coat, and is formulated for gastrointestinal tolerance.
$70-130 USD
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Selected Protein PD
Royal Canin Selected Protein PD is a limited-ingredient, single-protein prescription kibble designed for elimination trials and long-term management when a novel intact protein is preferred over hydrolyzed options. Unlike the hydrolyzed diets on this list, Selected Protein PD offers the technical advantage of a restricted ingredient profile that simplifies allergen identification and is often less costly than hydrolyzed formulas, making it a leader for diagnostic and single-protein hypoallergenic strategies.
Single-protein focus
Novel-protein option
Single-protein focus
Novel-protein option
Review Summary
"Royal Canin Selected Protein PD is appreciated for its single-protein, limited-ingredient approach and often helps identify triggers, but results vary and some pets are indifferent to the taste."
Digestive-support recipe
Limited-ingredient formulas featuring a single selected protein to simplify antigen exposure.
Digestive-support recipe
Limited-ingredient formulas featuring a single selected protein to simplify antigen exposure.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Royal Canin Selected Protein PD is a limited-ingredient, single-protein prescription kibble designed for elimination trials and long-term management when a novel intact protein is preferred over hydrolyzed options. Unlike the hydrolyzed diets on this list, Selected Protein PD offers the technical advantage of a restricted ingredient profile that simplifies allergen identification and is often less costly than hydrolyzed formulas, making it a leader for diagnostic and single-protein hypoallergenic strategies.
Single-protein focus
Novel-protein option
Digestive-support recipe
Limited-ingredient formulas featuring a single selected protein to simplify antigen exposure.
Designed for elimination diets and long-term management of food sensitivities.
Single-protein focus
Novel-protein option
Digestive-support recipe
Limited-ingredient formulas featuring a single selected protein to simplify antigen exposure.
Designed for elimination diets and long-term management of food sensitivities.
$85-160 USD
Hill's Prescription Diet d/d Potato & Venison Formula
Hill's d/d Potato & Venison is a true limited-ingredient, single-animal-protein kibble formulated for elimination diets and long-term management of food sensitivities where a novel intact protein is appropriate. Compared with hydrolyzed prescription foods, d/d provides a simpler ingredient matrix and strong palatability at a generally competitive price point, but it is technically not intended for cases that require hydrolyzed proteins due to severe immunologic reactions.
Limited-ingredient simplicity
Tail-wagging venison
Limited-ingredient simplicity
Tail-wagging venison
Review Summary
"Hill's d/d Potato & Venison is frequently cited as effective for cutaneous food reactions and is easy to transition to, although a subset of dogs reject the taste or experience stool changes."
Potato-based digestibility
Single novel protein (venison) paired with potato as a single carbohydrate source to limit allergens.
Potato-based digestibility
Single novel protein (venison) paired with potato as a single carbohydrate source to limit allergens.
Increased Safety & Security
Hill's d/d Potato & Venison is a true limited-ingredient, single-animal-protein kibble formulated for elimination diets and long-term management of food sensitivities where a novel intact protein is appropriate. Compared with hydrolyzed prescription foods, d/d provides a simpler ingredient matrix and strong palatability at a generally competitive price point, but it is technically not intended for cases that require hydrolyzed proteins due to severe immunologic reactions.
Limited-ingredient simplicity
Tail-wagging venison
Potato-based digestibility
Single novel protein (venison) paired with potato as a single carbohydrate source to limit allergens.
Formulated for dogs with food sensitivities and used for diagnostic elimination trials.
Limited-ingredient simplicity
Tail-wagging venison
Potato-based digestibility
Single novel protein (venison) paired with potato as a single carbohydrate source to limit allergens.
Formulated for dogs with food sensitivities and used for diagnostic elimination trials.
$70-130 USD