When it comes to feeding dogs and cats, what we put in their bowls truly matters. At Tail Blazers, we believe digestive health starts with real, species-appropriate food made from high-quality ingredients that nourish the body — not simply suppress symptoms.
Many veterinary prescription digestive diets, are marketed as “highly digestible” or “gut supportive.” However, when we examine the ingredient panels, we often find heavily processed fillers, non-species appropriate ingredients, hydrolyzed proteins, generic fats, and artificial additives. While these formulas may manage symptoms short-term, they are not always designed to promote long-term, whole-body wellness.
Below, we break down common digestive prescription formulas and share natural alternatives that better support your pet’s gut health.
Prescription Diets Analyzed
Hills Prescription i/d Digestive Care Canine – Low Fat (dry) Ingredients (Nov 2025): Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal, Hydrolyzed Chicken Flavour, Flaxseed, Chicken Fat, Ground Pecan Shells, Pork Liver Flavour, Lactic Acid, Fish Flavour, Ginger, Dried Beet Pulp, Iodized Salt, Potassium Citrate, Dried Citrus Pulp, Vitamins & Minerals
When we take a closer look at this formula, much of it is built around inexpensive, highly processed filler ingredients rather than truly species-appropriate nutrition. Ingredients such as brewers rice (a grain fragment left over after milling whole rice), corn gluten meal and ground pecan shells, are commonly used to bulk up pet food, but they offer limited biological value for dogs and cats.
The inclusion of chicken by-product meal and other by-products also raises questions about ingredient quality. By-products are secondary ingredients not typically used for human consumption. While not inherently toxic, they are generally lower-cost ingredients chosen for affordability rather than optimal nutrition. Instead of using whole, clearly identified meats, the formula relies on hydrolyzed chicken, pork, and fish flavours designed to enhance palatability rather than provide meaningful nourishment.
Hills Prescription Digestive Care i/d Cat Canned
INGREDIENTS (Nov 2025): Water, Pork Liver, Chicken, Rice, Potato Protein, Flaxseed, Fish Oil, Calcium Sulfate, Chicken Fat, Chicken Liver Flavour, Hydrolyzed Chicken Flavour, Ground Pecan Shells, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Dicalcium Phosphate, Dried Beet Pulp, Dried Citrus Pulp, Iodized Salt,
This formula moves somewhat closer to a species-appropriate diet, but there are still important concerns to consider. While pork liver can be a nutritious ingredient, it’s generally better used as a supplemental organ meat rather than the primary protein source in an everyday diet.
The recipe also includes generic fish oil without specifying the source, which raises questions about quality and formula consistency. Additionally, ingredients such as hydrolyzed chicken flavour (often a chemically processed additive), ground pecan shells, and beet and citrus pulp suggest the formula still relies on fillers and highly processed components rather than whole, clearly identified foods and meats.
When evaluating digestive diets, ingredients and their quality matter just as much as protein percentages on the label.
Digestive disturbances are rarely caused by one single factor and are often influenced by:
- Poor-quality or non-species-appropriate ingredients
- Stress and environmental factors
- Overprocessing
- Genetic predisposition
- Microbiome imbalance
When a pet consistently struggles to digest and absorb nutrients, the impact extends beyond the gut — affecting immunity, skin, energy levels, and overall vitality.
Tail Blazers’ Approach to Digestive Health
At Tail Blazers, we focus on food first.
Our recommended brands do not contain:
- Meat by-products or animal digest
- Corn, wheat, soy, brewers rice, corn starch, or corn protein meal
- Artificial colours, flavours, or MSG
- Generic fats (such as unnamed animal fat or soybean oil)
- Carrageenan
- Chemical preservatives like BHT or ethoxyquin
Instead, we emphasize whole prey proteins, clearly identified fats, and functional ingredients that genuinely support digestion.
Best Diet Options for Cats with Digestive Concerns
(dog suggestions are below cat)
- Raw Food (Ideal Option)
A balanced raw diet is the most species-appropriate and easiest on the digestive system. Raw diets support:
- Better nutrient absorption
- Smaller, firmer stools
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved coat and energy
- Air-Dried & Freeze-Dried Options
If raw feeding isn’t possible, air-dried and freeze-dried diets are excellent alternatives.
Examples which are high meat inclusion, low carbohydrate, highly digestible.
- Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Cat Food
- Stella & Chewy’s Digestive Support (Freeze-Dried)
- Feline Natural (Freeze-Dried)
3. Easy-to-Digest Canned Cat Foods
- Open Farm Digestive Health Recipes
- Rawz with Goat’s Milk (Turkey, Rabbit, Chicken)
- Rawz Digestive Support (Rabbit & Green Mussels)
Wet food naturally supports hydration and can be easier to digest than dry kibble.
- Dry Food Options for Cats
Some digestion-friendly dry foods we recommend include:
- Farmina Lamb Digestion Formula (Cat) – Over 90% digestibility, prebiotic support.
- FirstMate Cat & Kitten – Humanely raised chicken and wild-caught fish
- Open Farm Chicken & Turkey – Humanely raised poultry with pumpkin and coconut oil.
- Open Farm Salmon – Wild-caught Pacific salmon with herring oil and pumpkin.
- Carna4 Chicken or Fish – 40% protein, includes whole-food probiotics and enzymes.
- Go! Sensitivities Duck or Salmon – Limited ingredient with prebiotic chicory root.
- Rawz Salmon, Chicken & Whitefish – 40% protein, reduced carbohydrates, gently cooked (no rendered meals).
Best Diet Options for Dogs with Digestive Concerns
- Raw Feeding
A properly balanced raw diet is the most natural and digestible option for dogs. It reduces inflammatory fillers and provides biologically appropriate nutrition.
- Air-Dried & Freeze-Dried Alternatives
If raw isn’t feasible:
- Ziwi Peak (Air-Dried)
- Open Farm (Air-Dried)
- Zeal Canada (Air-Dried)
- Stella & Chewy’s Digestive Support (Freeze Dried)
- K9 Natural (Freeze Dried)
- Dr. Marty’s Digestion Blend (Freeze Dried)
These foods maintain high meat content with minimal processing.
- Easy-to-Digest Canned Dog Foods
- Open Farm Digestive Health (Whitefish & Pollock)
- Rawz with Goat’s Milk (Chicken or Beef)
- Rawz Digestive Support (Beef & Pumpkin, Turkey & Pumpkin)
- Dr Marty’s Digestion Blend
Pumpkin and goat’s milk can be especially supportive for stool consistency and microbiome balance.
- Dry Dog Food Options
- Open Farm Digestive Health Pollock – 28% protein, omega-3 rich.
- Farmina Lamb Digestion – For sensitive stomachs; strong prebiotic inclusion.
- SquarePet Ideal Digestion – Balanced fiber and digestive enzymes.
- Rawz Chicken or Salmon – 40% protein, reduced carbohydrate.
- Carna4 Lamb or Goat – Whole-food vitamins and probiotics.
- SquarePet Low Fat Formula – For dogs requiring reduced fat intake.
Supplements That Support Gut Health
Adding digestive support to an already high-quality diet can significantly improve results.
Recommended options include:
- Adored Beast Healthy Gut – Digestive enzymes and probiotics.
- Adored Beast Felix’s Flora (Cats) – Cat-specific probiotic strains.
- Adored Beast Gut Soothe – Herbal anti-inflammatory blend with L-glutamine and slippery elm.
- Natural Paw’s Good Digestion
- Earth MD Probiotic Plus
- Earth MD Digestive Care – Pumpkin seed and psyllium fiber.
- Carnivora Slippery Elm – Soothes irritated digestive lining.
- Blends for Life Bovine Colostrum – Supports gut integrity and immune health.
For pets with ongoing or complex digestive concerns, microbiome testing such as the Animal Biome Test Kit can provide additional insight.
Final Thoughts
Digestive health is foundational to your pet’s overall wellness. While prescription digestive diets may temporarily reduce symptoms, they often rely on heavily processed, filler-based ingredients that do not support long-term vitality.
By choosing whole-food, species-appropriate nutrition — whether raw, air-dried, freeze-dried, or carefully selected dry and canned options — you can help restore balance to the gut naturally.
At Tail Blazers, we are committed to helping pet parents make informed, confident decisions that support a healthier, happier life for their dogs and cats.
If your pet is struggling with digestive concerns, our team at Tail Blazers is always happy to help you find a better solution.
Note: This article is not meant to replace the advice of a qualified pet practitioner.
References:
Van de water, Marijke. Healing Dogs Their Way: The Real Solutions Your Dog Deserves .Saphire Publishing,Okanagan Valley, BC. 2018 (p.114-115)
