Pet Owners Get Class Status in Hill’s Prescription Pet Food Suit

Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. consumers in Illinois can proceed as a class on claims alleging the company overcharged them for deceptively marketed prescription pet foods, a federal judge said Friday.

Holly Vanzant and Sherry Nevius alleged they bought Hill’s Prescription Diet food because of their pets’ medical conditions. However, both said they later learned the prescription food isn’t materially different from regular cat and dog food, and no prescription is necessary to buy it.

The lawsuit alleged that Hill’s and PetSmart LLC created an artificial prescription requirement, marketed the products as unapproved drugs, and charged above-market prices.

At issue are ...