Hills Prescription Diet is Killing Our Pets, Say Dog Owners

Consumers who fed their dogs Hills Prescription Diet and Science Diet are reporting that the canned dog food products have caused their pets to sicken and die. Since receiving complaints from customers, the manufacturer has issued a voluntary recall of several of its products.

The recall, which according to the FDA is “due to potentially elevated levels of vitamin D,” does not affect dry foods or cat formulas. These products, which require a veterinary prescription, are sold in pet stores and vet clinics.

What is Hills Prescription Diet?

The Hill’s product lines – Prescription Diet and Science Diet – are formulated for pets with special needs such as obesity, gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, kidney conditions, age-related issues and more. These are advertised as “biology-based nutrition that works for dogs of every age, size, and need.”

In its recall notice, Hill’s Pet Nutrition states that they became aware of the problem after a customer reported that their dog had suffered from symptoms of vitamin D toxicity.

Vitamin D is necessary for healthy bones and overall metabolic health; however, excess amounts of this nutrient can result in a condition known as hypervitaminosis D, a potentially fatal condition.

In humans, this condition is rare and requires doses greater than 10,000 IU per day. However, in dogs, the toxic level is much lower. Still, according to nutritionist Lew Olson, the average dog would normally require well over 2,700 IU per pound of food for several months before vitamin D toxicity set in.

Hill’s says the elevated levels of vitamin D in their canned dog food products were caused by a supplier error and has committed to more thorough quality testing. However, that is small comfort to those who have lost canine companions.

Tragic Stories

Recently, a woman from Texas interviewed by MSN News said that her 4-year-old dog, Mocha, was diagnosed with gastroenteritis last fall. She says her veterinarian recommended Hills Prescription Diet i/d, a canned variety formulated for dogs with digestive problems.

Within days, she says Mocha’s health began to deteriorate, and veterinarians were unable to determine why. Less than two weeks after starting Hills Prescription Diet, Mocha died from cardiac arrest. It was not until later that the dog’s owner found out about the recall.

Another grieving pet owner has taken Hills to task on social media. She says her dog, Staley, died in mid-December from “unexplained acute kidney failure” after having been fed Hill’s i/d. Jennifer A. says she spent nearly $10,000 trying to save Staley – and on Hill’s Facebook page, says, “Sorry – you’re paying for this.”

Dozens of other dog owners are in agreement with that statement.

Is a Class Action Lawsuit in the Offing?

Hill’s has been responding to comments with words of sympathy and apologies – but that will not bring back pets that have died. One Facebook user said his boxer has been having issues for two years, indicating that the problem has been going on for some time. Many people have said they were not even aware of the recall until told by a friend or other source.

Hills Prescription Diet was the cause of action in a class action lawsuit filed in California in March 2017, alleging that it did not contain any ingredients that would normally require a veterinarian’s prescription. That lawsuit was dismissed two months later because the judge ruled that plaintiffs had failed to prove their argument.

Join a Free Hill’s Pet Nutrition Dog Food Recall Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you purchased Hill’s Science Diet or Prescription Diet canned dog food, you may qualify to join this Hill’s dog food recall class action lawsuit investigation.

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