Our Ultimate+ Healthy Living Dog Food Compares To Royal Cann Allallergenic/Hills z.d/Purina HA
Understanding the Difference Between “Sensitive” and True Hypoallergenic Nutrition
Not all “sensitive” dog foods work in the same way. Many simply remove common ingredients like wheat or beef, but still contain whole (intact) proteins that a dog’s immune system can react to. True hypoallergenic nutrition works differently. It breaks the protein down through hydrolysis into tiny pieces that are far less likely to trigger an allergic response.
As the comparison above shows, Ultimate+ Hypoallergenic Healthy Living uses the same core hydrolysed peptide technology as leading veterinary prescription diets — without the need for a prescription or long-term high costs. This means dog owners can access clinical-grade allergy nutrition while still supporting overall health and wellbeing.
| Feature / Benefit | Ultimate+ (Healthy Living Dog Food) | Royal Canin Anallergenic | Hill’s z/d | Purina HA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protein source & hydrolysis | Hydrolysed salmon peptides (freshly prepared + dried) – short-chain peptides with low antigenic potential. | Hydrolysed protein formulation (prescription hydrolysate). | Hydrolysed protein formulation. | Hydrolysed protein formulation. |
| Functional category | True hypoallergenic / elimination-grade – same functional class as prescription diets. | Prescription hydrolysed hypoallergenic diet. | Prescription hydrolysed hypoallergenic diet. | Prescription hydrolysed hypoallergenic diet. |
| Grain-free / carbohydrate base | Grain-free: sweet potato & potato (low-reactivity carbohydrates). | Often includes cereals depending on formula. | Often includes cereals depending on formula. | Often includes cereals depending on formula. |
| Added joint / mobility support | Yes – collagen peptides for cartilage and joint support. | Typically not – focus is mainly on allergy elimination. | Typically not – focus is mainly on allergy elimination. | Typically not – focus is mainly on allergy elimination. |
| Skin, coat & inflammation support | Yes – omega-3, antioxidants and hydrolysed proteins to reduce immune triggers. | Skin/allergy management via hydrolysate plus basic nutritional support. | Skin/allergy management via hydrolysate plus basic nutritional support. | Skin/allergy management via hydrolysate plus basic nutritional support. |
| Weight control / metabolism support | Yes – includes L-carnitine and MCT oils for fat metabolism and cognitive support. | Separate prescription weight-management versions available. | Separate prescription weight-management versions available. | Separate prescription weight-management versions available. |
| Long-term wellness focus | Full-life nutrition: allergy management plus joint, cognition, coat, metabolism and overall health. | Primarily an elimination diet; long-term use possible but less wellness-focused. | Primarily an elimination diet; long-term use possible but less wellness-focused. | Primarily an elimination diet; long-term use possible but less wellness-focused. |
| Prescription requirement | No – available without prescription. | Yes – veterinary prescription required. | Yes – veterinary prescription required. | Yes – veterinary prescription required. |
| Typical cost (UK market) | Generally lower than prescription diets – no vet-only price premium. | High – prescription pricing and veterinary supply chain. | High – prescription pricing and veterinary supply chain. | High – prescription pricing and veterinary supply chain. |
| Best suited for | Dogs needing hypoallergenic nutrition plus holistic support for skin, digestion, joints, weight and overall wellness. | Dogs needing strict elimination diet under veterinary supervision for allergy/ intolerance diagnosis or acute flare-ups. | Dogs needing strict elimination diet under veterinary supervision for allergy/ intolerance diagnosis or acute flare-ups. | Dogs needing strict elimination diet under veterinary supervision for allergy/ intolerance diagnosis or acute flare-ups. |
Key Takeaways
- Ultimate+ (Peptide+) uses true hydrolysed peptides, placing it in the same functional class as prescription hypoallergenic diets like Royal Canin Anallergenic, Hill’s z/d and Purina HA – it is far more than a standard “sensitive” food.
- Unlike many prescription diets, Ultimate+ combines allergy-safe nutrition with long-term wellness support – including joints, coat, cognitive function, metabolism and overall vitality.
- Because it is available without a prescription and avoids the vet-only price premium, Ultimate+ Healthy Living by Ultimate Pet Foods offers clinically relevant hypoallergenic nutrition at a more accessible cost.
- For many dogs with food sensitivities, chronic skin or gut issues, or those needing long-term allergy management, Ultimate+ Healthy Living Dog Food can be a practical alternative to expensive prescription diets – while still respecting your vet’s advice for diagnosis and ongoing care.