What is the difference between prescription dog food and regular?

Prescription diets are defined as those that are labeled and/or marketed as intended for use to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent diseases and are labeled and/or marketed to provide all or most of the animal’s total daily nutrient requirements by serving as the pet’s sole diet.

Does my dog really need prescription dog food?

– Veterinary diet manufacturers do not have to complete the FDA approval process when changing ingredients, unlike prescription drugs. So, the answer is no, you do NOT legally need a prescription to purchase a “veterinary prescription diet.” (oops, we meant “therapeutic diet.” Please don’t sue us, Hills.)

What is the difference between Hill’s Science Diet and prescription diet?

What is the difference between Prescription Diet^® and Science Diet^® brand pet foods? Prescription Diet^® brand pet foods are formulated to address specific medical conditions that can develop in pets. Science Diet^® brand pet foods are formulated to meet the needs of healthy pets during various life stages.

Does Royal Canin require a prescription?

Royal Canin veterinary diets are available by prescription only. Your vet will be able to order any specific diet required on your behalf.

Why does hydrolyzed protein dog food require a prescription?

Veterinarians often prescribe hydrolyzed protein diets to canines because they can alleviate gastrointestinal, skin and coat issues caused by food allergies. The process of hydrolyzation breaks the protein into such small pieces that they don’t cause an allergic reaction. How long should a dog be on hydrolyzed food?

What is the difference between prescription cat food and regular cat food?

Premium commercial cat food provides all the nutrition a healthy cat needs, in most cases. Prescription diets, infused with theraputic ingredients, are advisable for treating specific conditions. Prescription pet foods are available only through your vet’s office and only on his recommendation.

Why is Hills dog food so expensive?

Hill’s only uses food grade components in their pet foods. They do not use any fillers (ground up bone, feathers, grass, etc.) in their products. Since they use higher quality ingredients, they charge a little more for their products.

What is different about urinary cat food?

Urinary diets have restricted amounts of minerals, such as magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium, which can contribute to urinary crystal and stone formation. They are also formulated to make your cat’s urine slightly acidic, which discourages crystal formation.

What food is the same as Royal Canin urinary so?

Purina UR works similarly to Royal Canin, where it is designed to dilute the urine. The main difference between UR and Royal Canin is that UR has less sodium, more protein, and can be used for weight loss.

Does Purina UR dissolve stones?

While larger case numbers are needed, these results suggest that feeding Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary St/Ox can successfully dissolve cystoliths that are likely struvite and may lessen the risk of recurrence of struvite and calcium oxalate cystoliths.

Can any dog eat Royal Canin urinary so?

Its formulation is suited for those dogs who have excessive mineral buildup in their urinary systems and who have to undergo treatment to address these concerns. While most dog foods are available to buy off the shelf, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Urinary So Dry Dog Food needs a prescription to purchase.

What is the best dog food for urinary problems?

How long should my dog be on urinary food?

Bladder stones often do recur. I would use the food at least six months, and I would have a urinalysis done every six months to make sure there are no crystals or urinate tract infection. Your veterinarian is correct that using the urinary food for life gives Bollie a better chance of not having another bladder stone.

What can I feed my dog instead of urinary so?

What foods cause urinary crystals in dogs?

Foods high in magnesium, phosphorus, protein and calcium have been linked to stone formation. Veterinarians believe feeding your dog a food with restricted amounts of these minerals can assist in the dissolution of some types of stones that have formed in his urinary tract.

What foods prevent struvite crystals in dogs?

Examples of these diets include Hills Prescription Diet® s/d® or c/d®, Royal Canin Urinary® SO™, Purina® Pro Plan® Veterinary UR Urinary™, and Rayne Clinical Nutrition Adult Health-RSS™. These formulation help dissolve struvite stones that are already present in the urine and prevents formation of further stones.

What causes urinary crystals in dogs?

Struvite crystals in dogs most often form because of a urinary tract infection. Common bacteria that invade the urine create an environment with a higher (more alkaline) pH which helps the bacteria thrive. Struvite crystals form easily at higher urine pH, and struvite stones can form quickly if enough crystals develop.