How long will food take to help my pet’s skin condition?
Skin conditions are complicated and there’s no standard answer for how long food can take to help. Some conditions can be cleared up within a few weeks by feeding the right type of food, but others require a multimodal treatment approach and resolution can take longer and is more gradual.
Do you have samples of the product?
All our products have a 100% Money Back Guarantee so you can try the new product with confidence that if you are not satisfied with the food, we will give you your money back.
How do I change my pet over to a new food?
Remember you should transition your pet on to the new food by gradually introducing the food over 5-10 days.
Can I mix wet and dry food?
With most of our products, mixing wet with dry of the same product is fine.
My dog's hair is falling out excessively, especially during hot summer periods. What can I do to treat this?
While it is natural for some breeds to shed more hair in summer, it could well be a sign of a skin condition.
Is Derm Complete available for cats?
Hill's Prescription Diet Derm Complete is not available for cats. If your cat has a skin condition, ask your vet about our Prescription Diet z/d.
Is Derm Complete available in a mini kibble?
Yes, Prescription Diet Derm Complete is available in a mini kibble to suit the smaller mouths of mini dogs.
Are the Hill’s Prescription Diet skincare products suitable for puppies?
We do not recommend that you feed Prescription Diet Derm Defense, z/d or d/d to puppies. Speak to your vet about Prescription Diet Derm Complete Puppy food.
What are hotspots and can food help?
Hot spots are areas of localised pyoderma (bacterial skin infection) that are inflamed, full of puss and intensely itchy. They generally occur due to self-trauma – scratching, licking and biting of the skin due to itchiness that can be caused by flea or environmental allergies, foreign body (e.g. grass awn) and possibly food allergy. The infection increases the itchiness and irritation which increases the self-trauma to the skin, helping to spread the infected area. Matting of the hair with pus also helps spread the infected area.
Acute treatment for existing hotspots includes shaving, cleaning and localised treatment with antibacterial/anti-itch lotions and possibly systemic antibiotics. The use of a specially formulated food can alleviate the itchiness that caused the problem in the first place. Hill’s Derm Defense would be the suitable diet for this, as it strengthens the skin barrier, reduces the effects of allergens and reduces inflammation.
Do you recommend frequently washing your dog to help with their skin condition?
It depends on the skin condition. For environmental allergies it may be helpful to wash regularly to reduce the contact of allergens (e.g. pollen) with the skin, especially during the hotter seasons and when exposure has been high, such as after having taken your dog for a walk in a bushy area. Be careful to use the correct shampoos as recommended by your vet to avoid stripping the skin and coat of protective fatty acids. Use cool water and don’t blow dry with hot air. For food allergies, regular washing is not necessary. As long as the skin is healthy there should be no need for regular bathing.
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