Alternative to Hills Prescription Diet Z/D

[Kat]

I agree, a raw diet would be best for your golden. I switched my pug to raw 5 months ago after she became allergic to any dog food brand I tried.

If you really dont want to go the raw route, I would suggest switching to a high quality limited ingredient diet, and if your feeding kibble, it would be best to also mix in some extra canned food and warm water to make the kibble softer. Some dogs have trouble digesting kibble because they need to use their own water reserve to break down and digest the kibble. It makes it easier on their system to add the water in to help with the digestion.

Natural Balance has several limited ingredient diets, with canned versions aswell. And Nature's Variety also does limited ingredient, but I believe they only do turkey and lamb.

[CorgiPaws]

Wow am I ever glad this isn't in the dry/ canned section, so we can recommend raw without being burned at the stake because it really sounds like a potential godsend in your situation. I highly encourage you to read the link in danemamas sig and mosey to that section for further assistance.
If raw, despite being the most logical and simple answer, is not an option I highly recommend a simple kibble, particularly California natural herring.

[kelsey50]

I wanted to again thank everyone in this group for all of their advice. I bought the California Natural dog food and we've been transitioning over from the ZD and our Golden is doing great so far! He really seems to like it and he has had no problem holding it down. The information about the ZD food was really enlightening and I had never even heard about a raw diet before. I'll keep you posted if there is any change but just wanted to again thank you all for your help.

[PDXdogmom]

I'm so glad to hear that you have a good start with the California Natural dog food. Their simple ingredient formulas really are an answer for so many dogs.