Rx for Health Exploring the Benefits of Prescription Dog Food
5 Things to Know When Feeding Your Dog Hills Prescription Diet
The following article was written in partnership with Hills.
Precisely balanced nutrition is vital to the overall health and development of dogs, no matter their age, size, breed, or health status. At Hills, we know pets with certain health conditions can benefit from the specialized nutritional support that the Prescription Diet portfolio offers.
How Hills Prescription Diet Dog Food Works
The Hills Prescription Diet brand includes foods aimed to help veterinarians manage a range of health conditions for dogs (and cats). Hills Prescription Diet foods have undergone extensive testing to ensure they meet the nutritional requirements for the specific health condition(s) they are recommended for.
Nutrition can play a role in how veterinarians manage certain conditions. Some examples could include:
Your veterinarian plays an important role in recognizing more or less subtle conditions that can benefit from therapeutic nutrition.
Your Vet Can Determine If Your Dog Needs a Hills Prescription Diet
To determine if your pet should eat a Hills Prescription Diet food, your vet will start with a thorough physical exam and ask you questions about your dogs lifestyle and behaviors.
After the exam, they may recommend additional diagnostics (such as blood work, cytology, urinalysis, or diagnostic imaging) to help properly diagnose your pet and rule out other conditions. This will help your vet formulate a comprehensive care plan, including a nutritional recommendation.
In my experience as a practicing veterinarian, the cases where nutrition is most frequently recommended are when the dog has an underlying condition related to any of the following conditions: urinary care, kidney care, skin/allergy care, weight management, and digestive care.
Hills Prescription Diet and Obesity in Dogs
When it comes to weight loss, its important to look at everything the pet is eating during the day. The easiest place to start is cutting out any extra calories like treats and table scraps.
However, most pets that are carrying excess weight do not benefit from caloric restriction from treats alone. In fact, just feeding a pet a smaller amount (or fewer calories) of their normal food is not recommended and may lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Several Hills Prescription Diet foods are specifically formulated to help your pet lose weight. Wherever you see Metabolic or + Metabolic, this means that the food contains our synergistic blend of fibers from fruits and vegetables that activates the bodys natural ability to burn excess fat rather than store it.
This means that your pups metabolism will act more like the metabolism of a lean pet while ensuring that their nutritional and caloric needs are being met.
Results with Hills Prescription Diet
Every pet and health condition is unique and may respond differently when fed Prescription Diet foods. However, Hills performs extensive research and clinical studies to create specific and relevant product claims for Prescription Diet products.
To learn more about research conducted and results seen in our clinical studies for specific foods, visit hillspet.com or talk to your veterinarian.
Always talk to your veterinarian about their expectations and any important milestones to look for when giving your pet a Prescription Diet food.
Work with Your Veterinarian When Introducing a Hills Prescription Diet
Its important to work closely with your veterinarian when switching your pup to a new food. Your veterinarian will help you determine how much your pet should eat based on the specific food and your pet's ideal weight and lifestyle. Youll work together to create a feeding transition plan prior to switching to the new food.
Its important that the feeding transition is slow and gradual to ensure that your pet will eat the new food and reduce the chances of any GI upset. We recommend seven to 10 days to fully transition to the new foodbut for pickier patients, it may take longer.
Therapeutic nutrition can play an important role in managing your pets health. These foods have undergone extensive testing to ensure that they are precisely balanced and are an appropriate part of your veterinarian's treatment plan to manage your pets health condition.
Since these foods are only fed under the recommendation of your veterinarian, be sure to ask at your next appointment if a Hills Prescription Diet product is right for your pet.
Hills Prescription Diet FAQs
Do I need a prescription for Hills Prescription Diet?
Prescription Diet foods do not require a traditional prescription, but they do require a recommendation and approval from a licensed veterinarian. Schedule an appointment to ask your veterinarian to assess your pets health and nutritional needs.
How long can a dog be on Hills Prescription Diet?
Your veterinarian will advise what feeding plan is best for your pets nutritional needs. The majority of Prescription Diet products are suitable for long-term feeding.
How long does it take for Hills Prescription Diet to work in a dog?
Every pet and health condition is unique and may respond differently when fed Prescription Diet foods. However, Hills performs extensive research and clinical studies to help demonstrate the efficacy of many Prescription Diet products.
Always talk to your veterinarian about their expectations and any important milestones to look for when feeding a Prescription Diet food.
My pet is picky. Can I mix in other foods with the Prescription Diet food?
Never feed or supplement other foods without checking with your veterinarian first. When your pet is eating a Prescription Diet, it is important to feed only that food for optimal compliance to your veterinarians treatment plan.
If youre worried that your pet will crave more variety, talk to your veterinarian about what other flavor or form options (such as dry, stew, or pt) are available.
Featured Image: iStock.com/VYCHEGZHANINA
WRITTEN BY
Kristin Wuellner, DVMVeterinarian
Dr. Kristin Wuellner is a fun-loving veterinarian with interests that extend beyond the exam roomshes passionate about how client...
Veterinary Diet Dog Food
Prescription dog food can help you manage your dog's specific health issues through his daily diet. These formulas require a prescription and are typically prescribed as part of your pet's overall health plan under the care of a veterinarian. Vet recommended dog food differs from the average over-the-counter food because it's created to treat a specific health condition. There are many types to choose from including vet recommended wet dog food, vet recommended dry dog food and vet recommended dog treats. Non-prescription foods, on the other hand, are made to feed pets that are in relatively good overall health. Two of the most popular brands that you'll find online and at your vet's office are the Hill's Prescription Diet and Royal Canin Veterinary Diet lines. Each prescription dry dog food and canned dog food recipe is formulated by veterinarians to treat a particular health condition and has been clinically tested with proven results. Ingredients are selected based on their therapeutic properties and carefully combined with palatability in mind to formulate the best dry veterinary dog food possible. Some of the health concerns that can benefit from a prescription diet include weight management prescription dog food, food allergies prescription dog food and sensitivities, urinary tract infections prescription dog food, gastrointestinal disease prescription dog food, diabetes prescription dog food, proper heart functioning, kidney disease prescription dog food and skin conditions prescription dog food. The first step is to visit your veterinarian to determine the best vet recommended dog food for your dog. Once you've discussed all of the possible options, you and your vet can decide which veterinary dry food is right for your cat or dog, and which fits into the overall treatment plan for your pet's ailment. Then you'll be able to order your newly prescribed vet diet online and have it shipped right to your door. Chewy has an entire prescription team dedicated to helping pet parents with their prescription dog food orders from the online dog store and free dog food delivery. Your pet's veterinary dry food order will ship to you after the prescription team gets authorization from your vet confirming the prescription. Once you start your pet on his new veterinary diet, it's important to follow the directions given by your vet or on the back of the bag exactly for the best results. Because each dry vet dog food recipe is made to treat a specific issue, these diets are not interchangeable. Stick to the prescribed diet without supplementing with other foods or even treats. There are usually a few prescription treat options available that complement your pet's vet diet -just be sure to always check with your vet first. Find this and more on Chewy's online pet store where you can find the best dog supplies today!
Related Categories: Freeze-Dried Dog Food, Human-Grade Dog Food and Treats, Dehydrated Dog Food, Frozen Dog Food, Dog Food Toppers & Gravy, Dog Food, Prescription Dog Treats
How can I get a vet-recommended dog food prescribed to my dog?
You can get a vet-recommended dog food prescribed to your dog by seeing a veterinarian for an exam, diagnosis and prescription. You can usually get a refill vet-recommended dog food prescription by just calling your vets office. If you order your prescription dog food from Chewy, simply enter your vets info at checkout and we will contact your vet directly.
Where can I get prescription dog food?
You can get prescription dog food online from Chewy with a prescription from your vet. You can also find prescription food for canines at some local pet stores and online pet stores that serve your area. Some veterinarians will carry prescription dog food, as well.
Which dogs need prescription dog food?
Dogs that need prescription dog food usually have an ailment or chronic illness that requires a special diet. Dogs with kidney issues, diabetes, or digestive issues will often require special prescription canine food. Those with food intolerance or allergies may need a hypoallergenic or novel protein prescription dog food. Only your vet can recommend and prescribe the right prescription dog food for your pet.
What is veterinary diet dog food?
Veterinary diet dog food is dog food recommended and prescribed by vets. Veterinary foods often feature special formulations for dogs with specific ailments like food intolerance, chronic disease or recurring issues like urinary tract infections. Only feed your dog veterinary diet recipe foods if you are specifically instructed to do so by your vet.
