List Of Hills Science Diet Recalls
Cause: Elevated levels of Vitamin D. Announcement: FDA report dated Jan. 31, 2019 company webpage updated May 15, 2019 . What was recalled: In the United States, the following Hills Science Diet canned dog foods were recalled:
Hills Science Diet :
Note that Hills Prescription Diet canned dog food was also recalled. See our Prescription Diet page for details.
Of special note to anyone outside the United States:
Impacted products outside of the United States will be subject to separate notices on the country-specific website. If you are outside of the United States, please check your own countrys Hills website for more information.
Cause: Unknown minor issue, but possibly labeling issues. Announcement: Notice posted in select PetSmart stores, Nov. 28, 2015 . What was recalled: This was technically a withdrawal rather than a recall. According to the FDA, a market withdrawal takes place when a product has a minor violation that would not be subject to FDA legal action. The firm removes the product from the market or corrects the violation.
All date codes of the following canned dog foods were withdrawn:
In addition, all date codes of one canned cat food were withdrawn:
- Hills Ideal Balance Slim & Healthy Chicken, 2.9 oz., SKU #5209202, #UPC #5274230780
If you have not done so already, we urge you to sign up now for Petfuls FREE recall alerts by email. Our free alerts are saving pets lives.
What Are The Alternatives To Prescription Dog Food
There are a couple of alternatives to prescription dog food. The first is a raw foods diet. Raw foods diets are easier to digest than other dog food diets and provide very concentrated nutrition for your dog. Another option is to get an over-the-counter dog food that meets all the nutritional needs of your dog. For example if your dog is having bladder or urinary tract issues, you can get a food that support urinary tract health. Finally theres also limited ingredient foods. Limited ingredient dog foods are made with just a few superfood ingredients that provide your dog a dense nutritional profile while the food is extremely easy to digest. However, if your dog is prescribed a prescription dog food, you should not take this suggestion lightly. Before deciding what food will be a good alternative, you need to consult with your veterinarian. Prescription diets are not only formulated to help support the nutrition of your dog but they are also easy to digest and contain things like chelated minerals for maximum absorption. So its a good idea to work with your veterinarian on your dogs diet plan.
Was Your Pet Food Recalled
That year marked another important milestone, the launch of the first Science Diet recipe: Hills Science Diet Adult Maintenance Dog Food.
Originally, Science Diet was developed as optimal nutrition for research animals. Science Diet was great for periods of stress in this unique animal population, according to a magazine ad from 1973, which announced that the dog food was being released to the general public on a limited basis.
Here is that ad:
Animal Cavalcade
Hills Science Diet has long been positioned as a science-based, clinically proven, vet-recommended diet. Jen Wrye, PhD, a sociologist with expertise in food studies and animalhuman relations, described the marketing strategy this way in her 2012 doctoral thesis:
The prominence of science in the name and the sterile-looking bags conjure up images of white-coated scientists working in laboratories to unlock secrets of animal nutrition.
Colgate-Palmolive Acquisition
In 1976, Colgate-Palmolive purchased Riviana Foods, which included its highly profitable Hills Pet Nutrition subsidiary, in a deal valued at about $180 million.
The new parent corporation set about expanding Hills product reach into 86 countries. By 1999, Hills Pet Nutrition had cleared over $1 billion in sales.
It was, for decades, an excellent investment for Colgate-Palmolive. Although that corporation is better known for dish soap and toothpaste, one-seventh of the companys profits came from the sale of pet food.
Also Check: Is Iams Dog Food Any Good
For Animal Shelters In Need Of Support:
Through our Food, Shelter & Love program, Disaster Relief Network and in conjunction with our animal welfare partners, we are donating pet food to pantry partners, shelters, and other non-profit partners who are caring for pets.
We have also partnered with The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement to provide more than $400,000 in financial grants to shelters impacted by COVID-19. Grants will be awarded by August 31, 2020.
If you are a shelter in need of nutritional assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to us at . We are all in this together, and we will do our best to help.
Why Do Vets Recommend Hills And Royal Canin
Why do pet review websites rate Hills and Royal Canin products poorly, but vets recommend them highly?
Read on, and Ill enlighten you somewhat
Take a look at the ingredients on any bag of Hills Prescription or Science Diet dry food. Youll see theyre mostly grains wheat, sorghum, corn, rice. Youll find much more grain in these products than meat. Dogs are essentially carnivores, cats are obligate carnivores. They depend on the highly bio available essential amino acids in meat to retain optimal health.
Cats are classified as hypercarnivores, requiring at least 70% meat in their diet . These foods can contain over 70% grain.
Its not rocket science.
Feeding your pets excessive grains baked into a kibble is far from optimal, dont you think?
So why on earth do vets recommend these products?
Heres a reason -> VETS HAVE SEEN THESE PRODUCTS WORK!
Yep, thats true. Many vets see an improvement in pet health when they are transitioned to Hills products. Pretty convincing evidence, wouldnt you agree?
But its a glaring oversight.
Let me explain
Most kibble is absolute rubbish. Junk food. Convenience products designed for profit. Sadly business is business, and if these manufacturers put your pets before profit theyll never succeed. Thats the fundamental reason why most dog foods are unhealthy.
Unfortunately for our pets most people dont realise how bad some of these products are, and they feed them continuously to the pets they love. Every. Single. Day.
Read Also: What Food Can I Give My Dog Who Has Diarrhea
How A Vitamin And A Mistake Led To The Downfall Of Hills
No one knew how deadly a vitamin could be before the recall of Hills Science Diet and Prescription Diet dog food was until dogs started getting sick. And some dogs were dying. No one could comprehend how something as innocent as a vitamin could be so deadly.
It started as most recalls do with a single complaint. When the FDA got the report, they notified Hills Pet Nutrition that something was wrong: a dog fed their food was exhibiting signs of elevated vitamin D. Hills later confirmed elevated levels of vitamin D due to a supplier error and on Jan. 31 the company recalled 25 varieties of Hills canned dog food.
MINIMIZING ALARM
The recall was crafted so as not to create undue alarm, emphasizing the recall is voluntary, not mandatory. Publicly Hills officials characterize the problem as a possibility, that the food has only the potential to have elevated levels of vitamin D in it. Assuring consumers in boldface type that, in most cases, complete recovery is expected after discontinuation of feeding, never mentioning the cause for alarm: Vitamin D toxicosis. Privately, Hills puts a name to their fear: Dietary-induced hypercalcemia and hypervitaminosis D toxicity.
MISDIRECTED BLAME
BENEATH THE VENEER
THE $10 COUPON
I didnt believe it.
That was until I was offered $10 in coupons by Hills for my ailing dog Sadie, maybe $20, she said politely.
Sadie isnt a real dog, just one I made up.
Then, the call was over.
BROKEN TRUST
BONE v. HILLS
NAVARETTE v. HILLS
Update: Fda Says Hills Failed To Follow Own Procedures
The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning letter to Hills Pet Nutrition this past November following an investigation prompted by a recall of dog food products that contained toxic amounts of vitamin D.
The FDA issues a warning letter when it finds that a manufacturer has significantly violated agency regulations. The letter makes clear that the company must correct the problem and provides directions and a time frame for the company to inform FDA of its plans to correct any concerns.
The agency says Hills failed to follow company procedures for consistently verifying the quality of ingredients in its pet foods. Hills says it has already addressed the FDAs concerns to avoid potential problems with its food ingredients in the future.
Also Check: Is Iams Dog Food Any Good
Do You Have To Refund Hills Prescription Diet
If you are unsatisfied for any reason, return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund or replacement. Hills Prescription Diet is therapeutic nutrition that requires a recommendation from a vet. For help finding a vet to assess your pets health needs, use our convenient vet locator.
Hills Science Diet History
This pet food brands history is intertwined with the career of the first Seeing Eye dog, Buddy.
Buddy, guide dog to Morris Frank, a young blind man, developed kidney failure in the 1930s. Frank suspected that the dogs health condition was the result of poor nutrition. So, he corresponded with lauded veterinarian .
Dr. Morris and his wife set to work on a kidney diet recipe for dogs. They worked up the formula in their own kitchen.
The first consignment of renal dog food was shipped to Frank in glass jars. However, glass tends to break during transit, so Frank sent the Morrises a canning machine as well as a commission for thousands of orders. After a while, Buddys health improved.
And thats how the worlds first veterinary diet for dogs was born.
It was called Raritan Ration B, and it was the dog food that would become the basis for Hills Prescription Diet k/d Canine.
The Hill Name Is Added
With demand for his dog food growing, Dr. Morris was finding this to be a much bigger operation than a single canning machine and a husband-and-wife team could handle.
So in 1948, Dr. Morris took his Raritan Ration B dog food to the Hill Packing Company in Kansas for a dog food canning collaboration.
Founded in 1907 by a man named Burton Hill, Hill Packing Company had begun manufacturing dog food, as well as horse meat for human consumption, in 1930. Before that, the packing company was known as Hill Rendering Works.
Corporate Changes And the Launch of Science Diet
Read Also: Where Is Dr Pol Dog Food Made
Hills Recall History List:
Since the company’s founding, there have been multiple recalls of this dog food. Here they are in reverse chronological order.
- Hills recalls 25 different brands of dry and wet food due to elevated levels of Vitamin D.
- Hills recalls six different brands of Science Diet due to labeling concerns.
- Hills recalls Science Diet small and toy breed dry foods for possible salmonella contamination.
How Much Prescription Food Should I Feed My Dog
How much prescription dog food you feed your dog depends entirely on your dogs specific needs. Larger, younger dogs are going to eat more than older, smaller dogs. So you want to make sure you follow your veterinarians recommendations. Also, do not feed your dog prescription food past the recommended period. Prescription foods offer targeted nutrition but do not offer everything a healthy dog needs. So if you feed your dog prescription food for too long, you may find they develop a deficiency. Only feed during the veterinarian-recommended time period.
Also Check: Homemade Canine Kidney Diet Recipe
What Brands Have Been Recalled
On January 31, 2019, Hills Pet Nutrition notified the FDA about a report of vitamin D toxicity in a dog that ate a canned Hills dog food and initiated a recall of 25 products. On March 20, 2019, Hills expanded the recall to include 19 additional products of canned dog food. The recall is only for canned dog food and does not affect canned cat food, dry food , or treats.
The list of recalled dry dog food products provided to the FDA on includes:
- Hills Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Canine Chicken & Vegetable Stew 12.5 oz, SKU 3384
- Lot Code/Date Code: 102020T10
Do Prescription Diets Work
Yes, in many cases prescription diet dog foods do seem to work when they are correctly prescribed for a dogs condition. If your dog is sick, you may have to put aside your dislike of some of the ingredients in the food and focus on things that work.
Dogs do benefit from ingredients in dog foods that are not holistic. Sometimes its a question of having a precise ratio of protein, fat, fiber, or other nutrients. Sometimes a food may contain an unusual ingredient or work in some other way. For example, Hills makes three kinds of diets for dealing with bladder stones, depending on what kind of stones your dog has.
If your dog has struvite stones, their s/d diet works by making the urine extremely acidic to dissolve the stones. Their c/d diet also acidifies the urine but can be fed as a preventive. And their u/d diet is used for urate and cystine stones.
So these different prescription diets actually have ingredients that affect the acidity of your dogs urine. Thats what youre paying for with prescription diets. It doesnt show up in the guaranteed analysis or the things we normally look for on the dog food label, but it can be very important if your dog is ill.
Don’t Miss: Is Iams Dog Food Grain Free
What Is The Problem
The FDA has become aware of reports of vitamin D toxicity in dogs that ate certain canned dog foods manufactured by Hills Pet Nutrition and marketed under the Hills Science Diet and Hills Prescription Diet brands. This is a developing situation, and the FDA will update this page with additional information as it becomes available.
Top Best Answers To The Question Why Do I Need A Prescription For Dog Food
Why do you really need a prescription for your dog’s food? This agreement allows for the sale of their foods through licensed veterinarians only.
Veterinarians benefit because they can achieve a much higher mark-up on these foods than they would by offering foods widely available without a “prescription.”
Those who are looking for an answer to the question «Why do i need a prescription for dog food?» often ask the followingquestions:
You May Like: Is Iams Dog Food Any Good
Is It Okay To Feed My Pet Table Scraps Or People Food
We agree with veterinarians who strongly believe that feeding pets table scraps or “people” food can lead to excesses or deficiencies of nutrients in your pet’s diet which over time may result in health problems. Therefore, we do not recommend feeding any food other than Science Diet® or Prescription Diet® food, unless your veterinarian recommends otherwise. If you are interested in treating your pet, try feeding a few kibbles, a small spoon of canned food or use your pet’s food to make a homemade treat.
Here are some approved, low-calorie treats for healthy pets or pets that are on a weight-loss formula:
Pets fed Science Diet® foods:
1/4 cup of carrots – 17 calories 1/4 cup of green beans – 9 calories 1/4 apple – 12 calories
Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome Digestive/fiber Care With Chicken For Dogs Review
Ingredients: brewers ricecorn gluten mealwhole grain cornpowdered celluloseRed:
This product is manufactured by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc..
According to our data, this Hill’s Prescription Diet recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for the maintenance of adult dogs. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.
Unlike other AAFCO approved dog foods which rely in laboratory testing to substantiate nutritional adequacy, this recipe has undergone feeding trials. In the pet food industry, feeding trials are often considered to be the superior testing method.
Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome Digestive/Fiber Care With Chicken For Dogs provides complete and balanced nutrition for the maintenance of adult dogs.
Recommended Reading: Iams Veterinary Formula Skin And Coat Plus Response Fp
Can You Sell Prescription Pet Food
In other words, Hills Pet Nutrition, Mars Petcare and Nestle Purina are claiming that FDA allows them to be deceptive, allows them to sell a pet food as a drug when it is not a drug, and to overcharge consumers as they see fit. And they are right. The FDA openly allows prescription pet food to violate law.
What Our Vets Say About Prescription Diet Dog Food
I spoke about prescription diets with pet food guru Marion Smart PhD recently and she said something that I thought would be fun to follow through with.
Dr Smart said, How do you think vets would evaluate prescription diets if we just showed them the ingredients? Would they be able to tell if they were prescription diets?
So I called up some of our veterinary friends and gave them four pet food ingredient labels, one of which was a veterinary diet. They were only shown the ingredients and did not know what brand or manufacturer made the food.
I then asked the vets to list which food or foods they thought was a grocery store food and which food or foods they thought was a premium food.
Here are the four ingredient labels I asked the vets to rank. Can you guess which one is the prescription diet?
Don’t Miss: Is Natural Balance Dog Food Made In China