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You have questions. We have answers. (General Questions)

Here's where you'll find a wealth of information commonly requested by consumers of Hill's™ pet foods - everything from company and product information to storage tips and purchasing. Browse the list below and then contact us if you still have questions.

General Questions

  • Top 10 Questions

    • How much should I feed my pet

      Just as eating amounts vary from person to person, eating amounts vary from pet to pet. Most Hill's™ pet foods have a feeding guide on the package to help you determine the proper amount to feed your pet. However, the feeding guide is intended as a starting point. It's critical to your pet's health that his or her physical condition be monitored regularly and the feeding amount adjusted as needed. To access the suggested feeding guide for your pet's Hill's™ brand pet food, refer to our online product selector.

    • What is the difference between Hill's Prescription Diet™ and Science Diet™ brand pet foods?

      Hill's Prescription Diet™ brand pet foods are formulated to address specific medical conditions that can develop in pets. Science Diet™ brand pet foods are formulated to meet the needs of healthy pets during various life stages. Hill's Prescription Diet™ foods are available through your pet's veterinarian, while Science Diet™ foods are available through your veterinarian and at pet specialty stores, feed stores and some pet grooming facilities. We do not make Science Diet™ products that serve as substitutions for Hill's Prescription Diet™ products.

    • Where can I buy Hill's™ pet foods?

      Hill's Prescription Diet™ and Hill’s Science Diet VetEssentials™ brand pet foods are available at most veterinary clinics and hospitals. If you need to locate a veterinarian in your area, we can help. Science Diet™ brand pet foods are available at most veterinary clinics and hospitals, pet specialty stores, feed stores and some pet grooming facilities. We can help locate a veterinarian or find a retailer near you. Science Diet™ and pet foods are also available online from authorised pet stores.

    • Can I buy Hill's™ pet food online? How can I buy Science Diet™ brand pet food and have it delivered to my home?

      Science Diet™ pet foods are available online from authorised online pet stores, not directly through HillsPet.co.nz.

    • How can I learn more about my pet's Hill's™ pet food - including how it works, the ingredients, etc.?

      For all the information about the pet's Science Diet™, Hill's Prescription Diet™ and Hill’s Science Diet VetEssentials™ brand food you feed your pet, visit our Products section.

    • I've noticed Hill's™ pet foods have different prices at different retailers and veterinarians' offices. Is there a standard price? How can I find a lower-priced or more convenient place to buy Hill's™ foods?

      Hill's Prescription Diet™ and Science Diet VetEssentials pet foods are available through your pet's veterinarian, while Science Diet™ and Ideal Balance™ pet foods are available through your veterinarian and at pet specialty stores, feed stores and some pet grooming facilities. Each of these veterinarians and retailers sets its own price for Hill's™ pet foods. This usually is based upon a number of factors, including the expenses they incur in purchasing, handling and storing the product, as well as local market competition. Our retailers operate like other retailers you are familiar with in this regard. We can help you find veterinarians and retailers with Hill's™ pet foods near you.

    • What's the shelf life of the Hill's™ food my pet eats? How can I store the food?

      Shelf life varies by food type. Please refer to the best before date stamped on the bottom of all canned products. The datecode on our plastic bags is located on the left gusset, near the four-digit SKU number, toward the bottom of the bag.

      The datecode on our medium and large bags will be located on the top of the bag, generally the front flap. The information below details the shelf life and storing methods for canned and dry foods.

      Storing Hill's™ canned food

      We do not recommend freezing your pet's foods. Freezing canned pet food dramatically changes the texture of products and may adversely affect palatability.

      Your pet's feeding bowl should be emptied of moist or moistened food not consumed by the pet within four hours if the ambient temperature is above 10 degrees Celsius.

      Prior to opening, store cans in a place where the temperature is between 10-37 degrees Celsius. We do not suggest storing your pet's food in an uncontrolled environment such as a garage or outdoors.

      After opening, canned products should be covered and stored in a refrigerator at 4 to 7 degrees Celsius. In general, refrigerated canned foods should be used within five to seven days after opening. Canned products with high amounts of rice often have separation of water from the other canned product (free water will be seen at the bottom or around the side of the can) within a few days. This separation of water is called syneresis and does not change the nutritional characteristics of the food, but will affect food texture and possibly palatability. Since freezing dramatically changes the texture of canned products and adversely affects palatability, freezing canned pet food is not recommended either before or after opening.

      Storing Hill's™ dry food

      We do not recommend freezing your pet's foods. Freezing dry food may attract moisture, resulting in mold.

      Dry food can be left in the feeding bowl indefinitely if the bowl is kept in an area that is cool, out of direct sunlight and not subject to contamination by insects and vermin.

      Store the bag of food in a cool and dry environment. It is best to store the bag off the floor to reduce potential infestation. The food will retain its best flavour if stored in the original bag. We do not suggest storing your pet's food in an uncontrolled environment such as a garage or outdoors.

    • Is my pet's food available in dry, canned and treat versions?

      To see all the available options for your pet's food, use our online product selector.

    • How many calories are in Hill's™ pet foods?

      Calories vary from one product to another because each is designed for specific life stages and lifestyles. The calorie content for each of our foods is included in our online product selector.

    • 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 Hill’s 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

      Pets fed Hill’s Prescription Diet™ r/d™ or w/d™ weight loss foods:

      1/4 cup of carrots - 17 calories
      
1/4 cup of green beans - 9 calories
      
1/4 apple - 12 calories
      
1 - Hill's Prescription Diet™ Canine Treat - 13 calories
      
10 kibbles of Hill’s Prescription Diet™ r/d™ Canine dry - 4 calories
      
10 kibbles of Hill’s Prescription Diet™ r/d™ Feline dry - 6 calories

  • Purchasing Hill's™ Pet Foods

  • Feeding and Treating with Hill's™ Pet Foods

    • How can I enhance the taste of my pet's food if my pet is a finicky eater?

      Taste tests show that pets prefer Hill's™ pet foods to many other leading brands, however we realise some pets can be picky eaters. To help you in this situation, we suggest following one or more of the tips below to encourage your pet to eat.

      • If you are starting to feed your pet a new food, refer to the 7-Day Transition Schedule. A gradual transition from the current food to a new food helps wean your pet from one food to another.
      • Meal feed your pet by measuring the appropriate daily feeding amount of food and placing it in your pet's bowl. If you are feeding your pet more than one meal during the day, divide the amount into the number of feedings for the day.
      • For dogs, allow 10-20 minutes for your dog to eat, then remove the remaining food and wait to feed your dog until his next meal. Remember, food tastes much better when we have an appetite!
      • If you are feeding your pet dry food, try hand-feeding by holding the kibbles of food in your hand and feeding it to your pet in small portions for the first few feedings.
      • Add a couple of tablespoons of warm (not hot) water to one serving of your pet's dry food. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes to soften the kibbles, then serve. Moisten enough food for one meal feeding at a time so the food doesn't spoil. Do not leave moistened food out more than four hours.
      • You can make pet food gravy to mix with the dry food by adding a few tablespoons of warm (not hot) water to the equivalent canned pet food. Spoon the gravy over the dry food and serve. Be sure to only make enough for one serving at a time so the food doesn't spoil.
      • To help enhance the flavour of both dry and canned food, add a small amount of low-sodium chicken broth or the liquid drained from tuna canned in water. Only make enough for one serving so the food doesn't spoil. (Do not use this tip for Hill's Prescription Diet™ z/d™ pet foods.)

    • How much should I feed my pet?

      Just as eating amounts vary from person to person, eating amounts vary from pet to pet. Most Hill's™ pet foods have a feeding guide on the package to help you determine the proper amount to feed your pet. However, the feeding guide is intended as a starting point. It's critical to your pet's health that his or her physical condition be monitored regularly and the feeding amount adjusted as needed. To access the suggested feeding guide for your pet's Hill's™ brand pet food, refer to our online product selector.

    • How do I switch foods?

      Pets are creatures of habit and may need some help in switching to a new food. Unless recommended otherwise by a veterinarian, gradually introduce any new food over a seven-day period. Mix the new food with your pet's former food, gradually increasing the amount until only the new food is fed.

      Most pets readily accept these foods, but some are more reluctant than others to give up what is familiar to them. If your pet does not easily switch, you may want to try one of the following suggestions:

      • Warming the food or adding warm water enhances the food's smell and flavor.
      • Do not leave food available at all times. Consider meal feeding every three to four hours, 15-20 minutes each time.
      • To help enhance the flavor of both dry and canned food, add a small amount of low-sodium chicken broth or the liquid drained from tuna canned in water when transitioning your pet from one food to another. (Do not use this tip for Hill's Prescription Diet™ z/d™ pet foods.)

    • Does Hill's™ make Science Diet™ treats for cats?

      At this time, we do not produce a Science Diet™ treat for cats, but here are some treat ideas you may wish to try.

      • Feed a Science Diet™ brand canned food as a treat.
      • Hand-feed kibbles of your cat's favourite Science Diet brand dry food as a treat.
      • Place dry food in a treat jar and give your cat a treat from it.
      • Try our homemade treat recipe using your cat's canned or dry food.

    • Does Hill's™ make Science Diet™ treats for dogs?

      At this time, we do not produce a Science Diet™ treat for cats, but here are some treat ideas you may wish to try.

      • Feed a Science Diet™ brand canned food as a treat.
      • Hand-feed kibbles of your dog's favourite Science Diet™ brand dry food as a treat.
      • Place dry food in a treat jar and give your cat a treat from it.

    • Can I give my dog a treat although he is eating Hill's Prescription Diet™ pet food?

      We have Hill's Prescription Diet™ metabolic treats for dogs. These are compatible with j/d™, r/d™ and w/d™. If your dog is eating another Hill’s Prescription Diet™ we recommend you use that actual kibble as a treat or make your own treats using the kibble or wet formula.

    • Can I give my cat a treat although she is eating Hill's Prescription Diet™ pet food?

      We have Hill's Prescription Diet™ Metabolic Treats for dogs. These are compatible with j/d™, r/d™ and w/d™. If your dog is eating another Hill’s Prescription Diet™ we recommend you use that kibble as a treat or make your own treats using the kibble or wet formula.

    • Homemade Treat Recipe Yield: approx. two dozen treats

      Using canned food:

      1. Open the can and shake the loaf of food out of the can.

      2. Cut the loaf into 1/4" thick slices, and then cut the slices into bite-sized pieces.

      3. Bake the treats in a microwave oven on high for approximately 2 ½ to 3 minutes.

      4. Store baked treats in the refrigerator and discard leftovers after 5-7 days.

      5. Homemade treats should not exceed 10% of your pet's total daily intake because heat alters the nutritional characteristics of the food.

      6. Do not freeze homemade treats.

       

      For a conventional oven, follow the instructions above and place the bite-sized pieces on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes or until crispy.

      Using dry food:

      1. In a blender, add 2 cups of dry food and grind into a powder.

      2. Pour powder into a mixing bowl and gradually add about 1 to 1 ¼ cups of water, stirring until it forms a dough consistency.

      3. Shape into individual "treats" or "cookies" and flatten the dough using the back of a spoon (the cookies will not flatten like standard "people cookies" do.)

      4. Place treats on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes or until crispy.

      5. Store baked treats in the refrigerator and discard leftovers after 5-7 days.

      6. Homemade treats should not exceed 10% of your pet's total daily intake because heat alters the nutritional characteristics of the food.

      7. Do not freeze homemade treats.

       

      Cookie cutters make treats fun to make and serve.

      Only Hill’s Prescription Diet™ a/d™ Canine/Feline food cannot be made into homemade treats using the above recipe. However, you can use the following recipe for homemade treats for these foods:

      • Roll the canned food into little balls and place in the freezer to serve later as a frozen treat. Since it is not possible to bake a/d™ Canine into treats, this is a great alternative. Also, this is refreshing to pets during the hot summer.

    • Can I give my pet a nutritional supplement?

      Before giving any supplement to your pet, discuss it with your veterinarian, especially for pets diagnosed with a disease or illness. Hill's Prescription Diet™ brand pet food is designed to nutritionally manage pets' conditions via specific key product characteristics, so supplements could seriously jeopardise your veterinarian's nutrition recommendations.

    • 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 Hill’s 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

      Pets fed Hill’s Prescription Diet™ r/d™ or w/d™ weight loss foods:

      1/4 cup of carrots - 17 calories
      
1/4 cup of green beans - 9 calories
      
1/4 apple - 12 calories
      
1 - Hill's™ Prescription Diet™ Canine Treat - 13 calories
      
10 kibbles of Hill’s Prescription Diet™ r/d™ Canine dry - 4 calories
      
10 kibbles of Hill’s Prescription Diet™ r/d™ Feline dry - 6 calories

    • How do I choose the ideal Science Diet™ food for my pet?

      Science Diet™ foods are specifically formulated to meet the energy and nutrition needs of pets of all lifestyles and life stages. Use our online product selector to help determine which Science Diet™ food is best for your pet's needs.

    • Which Hill's Prescription Diet™ pet food product is the best for nutritionally managing more than one medical condition with my pet?

      We recommend you visit with your veterinarian regarding this question. Your veterinarian is the best resource regarding your pet's health and is the most qualified person to supervise the nutritional management of multiple health issues for your pet.

  • All about Hill's™ Pet Foods

  • Ingredients and Myths

    • Why is corn in certain products?

      Corn is an excellent ingredient because of the benefits it brings to the product. Corn is a highly nutritious ingredient chosen as a source of protein (for muscle and tissue growth), carbohydrates (for energy), fibre, antioxidants (Beta-carotene, Vitamin E, Lutein) and linoleic acid - an essential fatty acid that promotes healthy skin and a luxurious coat.

      Hill's™ uses grades 1 and 2 corn for our pet foods, which are the grades traditionally used for human food products.

      While some individuals are concerned about allergies in pets, corn is NOT a common cause of adverse food reactions in pets. Studies have shown that corn causes no more food allergies than any other grain.

      Most grains, including corn, are poorly digested before they are cooked. Once cooked, however, they become highly digestible. Corn is also highly digestible, higher than several other grains such as rice, wheat, barley and sorghum.

      Some consumers are concerned that corn may be a filler. Fillers offer no nutritional value whatsoever. Corn, as mentioned above, is a superb source of nutrients.

      We choose all of our ingredients for the nutritional value they contribute to each product we make.

    • The truth about meat

      Some individuals believe that meat-based foods are more natural and thus better. However, meat is not the only protein source. For example, corn gluten meal and eggs offer high quality protein, too. High meat diets are usually excessive in calcium, sodium and phosphorus which are not appropriate for older pets. Hill’s™ is committed to the highest nutritional standards and has always made decisions purely based on nutrition, not on trends or fads, for more than 50 years.

      Higher protein levels do not mean that a food is of higher quality. After the protein / amino acid requirements are met, additional protein provides no additional benefits. In fact, excess dietary protein can even be problematic for dogs and cats, especially when they get older. Protein intake needs to be carefully monitored.

      Sometimes consumers question if dogs are carnivores. Dogs are omnivores by nature. They use both meat and plant-based nutrition. Dog food should have a balance of nutrients, not just protein, but also fats, carbohydrates, fibre, etc.

      Hill’s™ believes consumers should focus on complete and balanced nutrition for their pet first instead of meat first.

    • What is meant by a "natural, organic, holistic or human grade" pet food?

      According to the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), the term "natural" requires a pet food to consist of only natural ingredients without chemical alterations; except for added vitamins and minerals.

      The term "organic" was legally defined for human foods by the USDA. While final rules have not yet been made, pet food companies can currently use the term "organic" if they follow the same rules as applied to human foods. Foods that are "100% organic" or "organic" will carry the USDA Organic Seal on the package. Currently Hill’s™ does not offer an "organic" pet food product.

      Natural and organic are not interchangeable terms.

      "Holistic" has no legal definition. There is no regulation defining what the word holistic means with regard to pet foods.

      The term "human grade" was determined to be misleading by AAFCO. The use of "human grade" or "human quality" is not allowed in pet food marketing unless the food is made in a human food approved plant.

    • Why is fibRE added to some pet foods?

      Fibre is a complex carbohydrate. The primary function and benefit of adequate dietary Fibre are to increase bulk and water in the intestinal contents to help promote and regulate normal bowel functions.

      There are 2 types of Fibre, soluble and insoluble. Soluble Fibre is seen in ingredients like wheat, rice and corn. Insoluble Fibre is seen in cellulose and may be used to replace fat in a pet food and thus decrease the calorie content of the food. Foods high in insoluble Fibre are also appropriate for weight control or reduction by promoting a sense of fullness without adding calories. Fibre is not a filler. Fillers offer no nutritional value whatsoever.

    • Does Hill’s™ use peanuts or peanut products in their pet foods?

      No, Hill’s™ does not currently produce pet foods using peanuts or peanut products.

  • Pet Care Questions

    • How can I learn more about the Hill's Prescription Diet™ food my veterinarian recommended for my pet?

      When your pet is diagnosed with a disease, it's natural to want to know more about the illness and treatments. Find out more about cat diseases and dog diseases.

    • How can I tell if my pet is overweight?

      There are several signs you can look for to determine if your pet is becoming overweight. These warning signs include:

      • Can't feel ribs anymore
      • Loss of discernible waist
      • Pads of fat over hips and base of tail
      • Waddles when walking
      • Finds it difficult to move
      • Short of breath
      • Bad tempered

       

      It's important to be aware of your pet's weight, as proper growth and weight can help prevent many diseases and disorders associated with obesity, as well as growth-related skeletal disease. If you do notice any of these warning signs, your veterinarian can help recommend changes to keep your pet healthy and fit.

  • About Hill's Pet Nutrition

  • About our Website

You have questions. We have answers. (Health Care Team FAQs)

Here's where you'll find a wealth of information commonly requested by consumers of Hill's™ pet foods - everything from company and product information to storage tips and purchasing. Browse the list below and then contact us if you still have questions.

Health Care Team FAQs