This is our review of the best alternatives to Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care in 2024.
If your furry friend has a problem with digestion, they’re not alone. Over 15% of all dogs have issues with their stool or digestive health at some point in their life.
If your pup’s problems become chronic, your vet may recommend a food like Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care.
It’s low in fat, contains gentle gains for easier digestion, and reduces inflammation in the gut. And it has fish oil for DHA — which aids in cognitive health and colon function.
But it’s also expensive and requires vet authorization. So if you’re looking for another option, we’ve found five alternatives.
Our Top Pics
- Best for Digestive Care – Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dry Dog Food
- Best for Picky Eaters – Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome Wet Dog Food
- Best for Fiber Support – Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Fiber Balance Dog Food
- Best Budget Option – Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet GI Gastrointestinal Support Dry Dog Food
- Best Non-Prescription Digestion Support – Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Dry Dog Food
5 Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Alternatives Reviewed
Here are our top picks for the best substitutes to Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care dog food. They meet AAFCO’s nutrient requirements for dogs. Before switching your dog’s food, consult with your vet.
1. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dry Dog Food
One of the most common alternatives for Hill’s Prescription Diet is Royal Canin Veterinary Diet. And for i/d’s formula, Royal Canin’s Adult Gastrointestinal Low-Fat recipe is a suitable substitution.
This option contains less than the usual 12% Crude Fat like Hill’s. It’s perfect for dogs with sensitive tummies because it makes the food easier to process.
But that doesn’t mean that the formula is missing essential nutrients. It still has omega fatty acids from fish oil. And it also contains DHA and EPA for cognitive function and soothes the digestive tract.
Some differences are essential to note. First, Royal Canin contains meat by-products, which some pet parents want to avoid.
And Hill’s also has more protein content, so more active dogs may need to avoid Royal Canin. Yet, its 20% Crude Protein still meets AAFCO’s recommendation for adult dogs.
Similar to Hill’s, this low-fat recipe also has whole grains to provide fiber and bulk up the stool. But unlike Hill, it doesn’t contain corn.
Instead, it offers ingredients like wheat, barley, and brewers rice. So if your dog is sensitive to corn products, this is a great alternative.
Many dog owners say this food cured their pup’s stomach issues. But many note that the kibble size is larger than they’re used to.
2. Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome Wet Dog Food
If you’re looking for a better option for a fussy eater, you can stick with Hill’s Prescription Diet. Their Gastrointestinal Biome wet dog food offers the same nutrition and support that i/d does, with chunks of real meat and gravy for picky eaters.
Similar to the i/d formula, this canned formula includes cranberries. While these are usually used for urinary health, they’re also great for digestion. Cranberries improve gut bacteria with natural probiotics and prebiotics.
Unlike i/d, Hill’s biome formula doesn’t contain chicken fat. Instead, its fat content comes from fish oil and soybean oil.
Fish oil offers omega-3 fatty acids and DHA for cognitive function and digestive health. And soybean oil has omega-6 fatty acids for lean muscle mass and coat shine.
Because it’s wet food, this formula has extra moisture from chicken broth. This helps your dog keep up with water intake and avoid constipation. And it also includes pumpkin for fiber and vitamin A, which aids in a clean digestive tract.
Both formulas contain dried beet pulp and dried citrus pulp. These contain natural antioxidants for immune health and prebiotic fiber for a healthy gut. And they also include probiotics to keep your dog’s sensitive tummy from harmful bacteria.
Picky dogs love this wet food, and their owners enjoy its higher calorie count. But for large dogs, they recommend using it as a topper. They note that it’s not suitable as a meal replacement.
3. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Fiber Balance Dog Food
Some dogs have tummy troubles because they don’t have enough fiber in their diet. If this is the case for your pup, your vet may recommend Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Fiber dry dog food.
This food is similar to Hill’s in protein and fat content. But where it shines is the fiber content. Instead of Hill’s 4%, Purina Pro Plan contains a whopping 10% Crude Fiber.
A higher fiber level is perfect for dogs that suffer from constipation or loose stool. And fiber keeps the colon healthy — which helps your dog’s organs absorb more nutrients.
Both recipes contain corn products, including whole-grain corn and corn gluten meal. This gentle carbohydrate includes antioxidants like vitamin E and beta-carotene to help support a healthy immune system. And it’s the main fibrous ingredient — promoting gut health.
Each of the formulas also contains fish oil, one of the top healthy fats for dogs. Along with DHA for cognitive function, it also has ARA to reduce inflammation in the skin and gut.
Fiber content isn’t the only difference between these foods. Purina is a limited ingredient recipe because it has less than 10 ingredients — not including vitamins and minerals.
Hill’s, on the other hand, has more than 15. So if your dog is sensitive to specific ingredients or needs a limited ingredient diet, Purina may be the best option.
If your pup has chronic diarrhea due to their sensitive stomach, many dog parents recommend Purina. They say their dog hasn’t had any episodes since making the switch.
But others admit that their picky pup wouldn’t even touch the food. So if your dog is a fussy eater, this may not be the best option.
4. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet GI Gastrointestinal Support Dry Dog Food
Vet-prescribed dog foods can get expensive — especially if your dog needs the food long-term. If you’re looking for a budget option, Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet GI Gastrointestinal Support dog food is perfect.
This formula provides gastrointestinal support with easy-to-digest proteins, carbohydrates, and fats like Hill’s. But it is important to note that it has more fat content than Hill’s. So if your dog needs a lower-fat option, this may not be the best choice.
Both recipes contain chicken as the primary protein source. Still, Blue Buffalo has deboned chicken and offers this as the first ingredient. So it’s higher in protein for more active pups. And it contains taurine and glucosamine for joint and heart health.
While this formula offers prebiotic fibers like Hill’s, it doesn’t come from the same ingredients. Instead, oatmeal, brown rice, and peas provide fiber.
These support your pal’s healthy microflora for overall gastrointestinal health. And they tend to be gentler than wheat and corn for more sensitive pups.
Antioxidant-rich ingredients help support a healthy immune system. And while cranberries are added to both recipes, Blue Buffalo also contains pumpkin, blueberries, and barley grass.
Even though it’s a budget option, Blue Buffalo comes highly recommended by pet parents. Many note that it’s perfect for sensitive tummies and dogs with pancreas issues.
5. Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb Dry Dog Food
You don’t need a vet’s authorization to buy food for your dog’s digestive health. If your dog has a sensitive tummy but doesn’t need specific ingredients or nutrition, try Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb dog food.
This limited ingredient diet is as close to Hill’s as possible without a prescription. And it has a few differences for dogs that need extra support. For example, it doesn’t include chicken — a common allergen for dogs. Instead, it has real lamb, which still offers taurine and chondroitin for heart health.
It’s packed with wholesome grains and seeds like Hill’s.
Both formulas contain flaxseeds and omega fatty acids for brain and digestive health. But Wellness Simple also has oatmeal, ground rice, and millet for easier digestion.
Each recipe has over 20% Crude Protein, and Wellness Simple is lower in fat than Hill’s. So your pup’s digestive tract won’t be shocked by a significant change in percentages. And both are similar in fiber content, so your canine will keep up with their stool schedule.
The only potential con for Wellness Simple is that it doesn’t contain fish oil. Instead, it has canola oil, which isn’t as high in quality. But it still contains omega fatty acids and DHA for a brain and digestion boost.
Before asking for a prescription, dog owners recommend giving this food a try. Many exclaim that it aids in digestive health and gives their dog a shiny coat. Those with picky dogs say the lamb formula doesn’t sit well with their dog and say the smell is too strong.
How To Transition Your Dog To New Food
Before switching your dog to any new formula, consult with your vet. When you do transition them, do it slowly. The average adjustment takes around 5 to 7 days.
Start adding a small amount of new kibble to their current food when switching. At each meal, increase the amount of new food. You’ll do this until your dog is eating the new food only.
With sensitive stomachs, this transition may take longer. If you notice a change in your dog’s stool or digestion, go back to their old food and shift over 10 to 14 days.
Our Verdict
A dog with tummy issues can thrive with food like Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care.
Its lower fat content and wholesome grains help your pup digest their food and absorb nutrients better. This keeps their tummy — and their bowel movements — healthy.
But if you’re looking for a different option to better support your pal, you can find plenty of options from our list. All are approved for sensitive stomachs, and some don’t require a vet’s prescription.
