May 2021
Advisory regarding Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s reformulation of two products in their prescription food line. Guidance on transitioning a pet to a different diet is provided below.
Dear Clients:
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., one of several prescription pet food producers, has announced changes to their formulas for two of their canine chicken flavor dry foods, G/D (Aging Care) and L/D (Liver Care). The new formulas will be available in the late June/early July 2021 timeframe. A red label on the bag noting “New Formula & Kibble” will alert customers to the change.
Hill’s wants customers whose pets are currently on these prescription foods to know that the reformulations will not affect the nutritional value of the food, but there will be “some minor ingredient changes.” Therefore, Hill’s recommends a gradual transition from the old formula to the new.
As we have communicated in the past, our veterinarians recommend that any time you change a pet’s diet, whether it is to a new food or a reformulation of the same brand, it should be done slowly over a 7 to 10-day period as follows: *
1. Days 1-3, feed your pet 75% of the old diet; 25% of the new or reformulated diet.
2. Days 4-6, feed 50% of the old diet; 50% of the new or reformulated diet.
3. Days 7-9, feed 25% of the old diet; 75% of the new or reformulated diet.
Thereafter, transition to 100% of the new diet if your pet is doing well.
If your pet experiences gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea, or any other abnormalities when changing to a new diet or reformulated food, please stop the new diet and call the clinic at 703-569-9600 for a doctor’s advice. Feel free to call with any questions about the Hill’s changes.
Thank you, Burke Animal Clinic Veterinarians
*An exception to the slow transition would be if the veterinarian has recommended the soft bland diet (plain chicken and rice), which should begin without any transition period unless directed otherwise.
