Do I need a prescription diet for my dog or cat?

Asked By: January Downey

Date created: Fri, Sep 16, 2022 1:31 AM

Date updated: Sun, Apr 28, 2024 23:07 PM

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Video answer: The Truth About Prescription Pet Food

Best answer to the question «Do I need a prescription diet for my dog or cat?»

Answered by Misha Mei on Fri, Sep 16, 2022 6:55 AM

If your dog or cat is going to need a gastrointestinal diet for a prolonged time, a prescription diet from your vet is recommended. That way, you know all of your pet’s nutritional needs will be met.

Frequently Asked Questions

Those who are looking for an answer to the question «Do I need a prescription diet for my dog or cat?» often ask the following questions:

😻 Can I give my Dog a prescription diet without a prescription?

But, most veterinarians and pet food stores will not sell the so-called prescription diet without a prescription because they do not want to make any waves with the manufacturers. Even so, veterinarian involvement is a good idea because some diets can be misused and cause a worsening of certain medical conditions.

😻 Are pet food diets considered drugs?

Adding to the confusion is a statement made in December of 2010 by Dr. Bernadette Dunham, director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicinesaying that because prescription pet food diets are marketed to cure or treat disease, they are “considered drugs under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.”

😻 Are Veterinary therapeutic diets safe for pets?

Veterinary therapeutic diets often have undesirable ingredients such as corn and by-products, but are considered a “sacred cow” with pet food critics.

Video answer: Should I Feed Prescription Diets To My Dog?

We've handpicked 21 related questions for you, similar to «Do I need a prescription diet for my dog or cat?» so you can surely find the answer!

Can I give my Dog a prescription diet without a prescription?

Do I need a prescription for low-protein cat food?

All cats require plenty of digestible, highly bioavailable protein in their diet. Do I need a prescription for low-protein cat food? Not necessarily.

Can I give my Cat an iodine restricted diet?

If your veterinarian recommends an iodine-restricted diet for your cat, you may need to feed him a prescription diet. The only product currently available on Chewy is Hill’s Prescription Diet y/d Thyroid Care which comes in both a dry food and a canned food recipe.

Do I need a prescription for Hill's Science Diet?

Prescription Diet foods are available through your pet's veterinarian, while Science Diet foods are available through your veterinarian and at pet specialty stores, feed stores and some pet grooming facilities.

Video answer: Prescription Diets for Kidney Disease in Dogs & Cats

Does your pet need a gastrointestinal diet?

These diets also protect the intestine and help to restore normal bowel movements. If your dog or cat is going to need a gastrointestinal diet for a prolonged time, a prescription diet from your vet is recommended. That way, you know all of your pet’s nutritional needs will be met.

How do I prevent crystals in my cat's urine?

"The most important step to preventing recurrence is to feed a prescription diet." Additionally, you will need to increase your cat's water intake in order to make your cat's urine less concentrated. In most cases, using the canned version of your cat's prescription diet will keep the urine dilute.

Is Hill’s Prescription Diet dog food still made?

Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. produces dog and cat foods under the labels Hill’s Prescription Diet, Hill’s Science Diet, Hill’s Healthy Advantage and Hill’s Bioactive Recipe. (A brand line called Hill’s Ideal Balance was discontinued in 2019.) Hill’s Prescription Diet was created in 1948, but its roots go back even further than that.

Do cats actually need prescription cat food?

Many cats do not need the prescription diet and can simply eat wet food. Some cats do have urinary problems that can't be solved through normal means, though, and need the prescription diet. If you want to try a wet food diet, you can test the urine pH with urinary test strips. They are available at Amazon or in the aquarium section of the pet store.

Can my diabetic dog eat Hills W/D diet?

My diabetic dog was prescribed Hills W/D prescription diet by the vet because it can conveniently be delivered to my house. He ate the first bag just fine, but then just after I ordered and opened the second bag, he totally would not accept it. Just looked away. This is a rescue dog who has NEVER refused anything to eat.

Can I give my Cat prescription cat food for urinary care?

My vet had me switch my cats diet to prescription cat food for urinary care but she won’t eat her dry food after mixing it with the urinary care dry food but is eating the wet food for urinary care. If she is eating the prescription canned diet, that's fine.

Video answer: Prescription Diets for Cats - What You Need To Know

What should I do if my cat is throwing up hairballs?

For mild cases of vomiting due to hairballs or gastroenteritis, your veterinarian may prescribe supportive care such as antiemetic medications (like Cerenia) and antacids. Occasionally your cat may need a change in diet or even a prescription diet, particularly if the vomiting is due to an underlying food allergy or inflammatory bowel disease.

Is Hills prescription diet good for dogs and cats?

Additional Info: Hills Prescription Diet a/d is a complete and balanced food that provides all the nutrition dogs and cats need. Please consult your veterinarian for further information on how our Prescription Diet foods can help your pet to continue to enjoy a happy and active life.

What is Hill's Prescription Diet A/D?

Hill's Prescription Diet a/d Canine/Feline is a complete and balanced food that provides all the nutrition dogs and cats need. Please consult your veterinarian for further information on how our Hill's Prescription Diet foods can help your pet to continue to enjoy a happy and active life. Proud to have helped 11 million shelter pets

What food do vets recommend?

Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult – Best Overall. ...
Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic + Mobility – Best for Weight Loss. ...
Hill's Prescription Diet c/d – Best for Urinary Health. ...
Purina Pro Plan Sport – Best for Weight Gain. ...
Hill's Prescription Diet i/d – Best for Sensitive Stomachs.

Has Science Diet been recalled?

A: Starting on January 31, 2019 Hill's issued a voluntary recall of some of its canned dog food products due to elevated levels of vitamin D. The recall affected only certain Hill's Prescription Diet and Hill's Science Diet canned dog foods. No dry foods, cat foods or treats are affected.

Do prescription cat food diets really work?

While some prescription foods offer therapeutic benefits unmatched by ordinary foods—think Hill’s y/d hyperthyroid diet—others don’t. A prescription diet is not guaranteed to help your cat or even do anything that an ordinary food wouldn’t.

Should you feed your cat a prescription diet for hyperthyroidism?

Should You Feed Your Cat A Prescription Diet For Hyperthyroidism? Hill’s Prescription Diet y/d is the leading prescription cat food for hyperthyroidism. This food is extremely low in iodine, containing less than 0.32 ppm iodine on a dry matter basis.

Is a prescription cat diet worth it?

A prescription diet is not guaranteed to help your cat or even do anything that an ordinary food wouldn’t. Prescription cat food is expensive, but usually contains cheapskate ingredients like animal and plant by-products. Let’s go into a little more depth on why prescription food isn’t worth it.

Is Hills Science Diet ZD grain free?

Hill's Prescription Diet Z/D Canine is a grain-inclusive dry dog food using a limited amount of hydrolyzed chicken liver as its main source of animal protein. However, due to its intentional therapeutic design, this dog food is not rated.

What is a prescription diet or veterinary diet?

People assume that because a food is called a prescription diet or veterinary diet, it’s passed some rigorous testing and the label has been validated by a third party organization. Not so. While some prescription foods offer therapeutic benefits unmatched by ordinary foods—think Hill’s y/d hyperthyroid diet—others don’t.

Should I take my Cat to the vet for food allergies?

If you take your cat to the vet for food allergies, your veterinarian may recommend a prescription diet. Many prescription cat foods are made with hydrolyzed protein – proteins that are broken down into molecule sizes too small for your cat’s immune system to recognize.

Video answer: Everything You Need to Know About Dog Nutrition