4.7(1,600)Amazon rating$107.99200+ bought last month
Our verdict
Hill's Prescription Diet z/d Skin/Food Sensitivities in this 17.6 lb size uses hydrolyzed chicken protein aimed at dogs managing food allergies and skin issues, and its 4.7 star rating across roughly 1,600 reviews puts it among the best reviewed formulas in this veterinary diet lineup.
Dogs with diagnosed food sensitivities or chronic skin issues who need a mid-size bag of hydrolyzed protein food.
Skip if
You have a larger dog that would burn through the 17.6 lb bag quickly, in which case the 25 lb version of this same formula may be more economical.
Priced 32% above the category median ($81.99 across 50 tracked models)
Our scorecard
4.7/5overall
Owner rating4.7/5
4.7 average across 1,600 owner ratings
Popularity4.7/5
1,600 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other dog food and health supplements we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
["This 17.6 lb bag is the mid-size option in Hill's Prescription Diet z/d Skin/Food Sensitivities line, built around hydrolyzed chicken protein as a dry kibble aimed at dogs with food allergies or ongoing skin issues.", 'As with the rest of the z/d line, the hydrolyzed protein approach is meant to lower the odds of triggering an allergic reaction compared to intact chicken protein, making it a common recommendation for dogs whose vet has traced skin or digestive flare-ups back to food sensitivities.', 'At $107.99 for the 17.6 lb bag, it costs less upfront than the larger 25 lb bag but works out to a similar per-pound price. With about 1,600 reviews and a 4.7 star average, plus roughly 200 units bought last month, it has a smaller but still solid following relative to the larger bag size in this same line.']
Pros
Hydrolyzed chicken protein aimed at reducing allergic reactions
Strong 4.7 star rating across roughly 1,600 reviews
Mid-size bag is a good fit for smaller households or dogs
Part of Hill's well established z/d Skin/Food Sensitivities line
Cons
Smaller monthly purchase volume than the larger bag size
Chicken-derived protein, even hydrolyzed, may not suit every sensitivity case
Priced at a premium typical of veterinary diets
Performance notes
Because it's the same hydrolyzed chicken formula as the larger bag in this line, the core performance profile centers on reducing allergic response through broken-down protein rather than relying on ingredient exclusion alone.
What buyers say
With roughly 1,600 reviews and a 4.7 star average, this size holds the same strong rating as the larger bag, though its 200 units bought last month suggests it's purchased less frequently than the bigger option.
How is this different from the 25 lb bag of the same formula?
The core recipe is the same hydrolyzed chicken protein formula, so the main difference is bag size and how far it stretches for larger dogs or multi-dog households.
Does hydrolyzed protein still contain chicken?
Yes, the protein source is chicken that has been hydrolyzed, or broken down into smaller pieces, which is meant to lower the chance of triggering a reaction compared to intact chicken protein.
Is this a good starter size to try the formula?
The 17.6 lb bag can be a reasonable way to try this formula with a smaller upfront cost before committing to the larger bag, though your vet's recommendation should guide the switch.
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