Which of the following are commonly cited drawbacks of commercial hydrolyzed diets?

• A. They have no drawbacks; They are inexpensive
• B. High cost; Palatability varies; The only canned hydrolyzed diet for cats is z/d
• C. They are inexpensive; Palatability is consistent; They are available in all flavors
• D. They are available only as prescription diets with no variations

Answer: (B)

Hydrolyzed diets are designed to reduce allergenicity by breaking proteins into smaller pieces, but they come with practical drawbacks that clinicians and owners notice in real life. The cost is typically higher than standard diets because of the specialized processing and limited market, so long-term use can be expensive. Palatability can vary a lot between brands and from one pet to another—some animals accept them easily, while others are picky and may拒eat or refuse, making adherence more challenging. For cats, the availability of canned hydrolyzed options is limited, with z/d often cited as a common canned choice, which can restrict convenient feeding if a moist diet is preferred. These factors together explain why high cost, variable palatability, and limited canned options are frequently cited drawbacks of commercial hydrolyzed diets.