How important is it to use prescription dry food provided by vet?

Question

My dog is currently having some massive liver issues and has been eating Royal Canin Sensitivity Control on the advice of our vet. It is a 'prescription diet'. However the supplier is currently having some issues and I can't get anymore for a while.

So I guess she either has to go without (don't worry - she's also on other feeds) or I try a standard kibble. Obviously I don't want to compromise her liver, so I want to know how different the 'standard' dry food is to the prescription stuff?

Answer 1

Considering that a huge number of illnesses in our pets are a direct result of inappropriate diet - I wouldn't touch 'prescription' food with a barge pole.

Dogs don't need carbs and fibre - they need prey or carcasses (meat, bones, organs etc).  Anything else will put extra stress on the digestive system.

Answer 2

try comparing the ingredients.

I have found though, that the vets I went to don't actually prescribe good food. Science diet is the standard "vet recommended" food here, and it sucks big time. Corn or wheat are in the first ingredients, and dogs should t have much of either!

Since it's a liver problem however, this might not be the case with you dog or vet. Ask the vet if you can substitute another GOOD brand of sensitive stomach food. You can find lots of different brands on the petco and petsmart websites. Check them out and compare the ingredients.

I'm partial to Castor and Pollux, because it has dried fruits and veggies in it that you can see. It even has banana chips! I don't know if they make a sensitive stomach version though.

Answer 3

It is important to control the diet but the prescription foods are poor,look at the yahoo group k9 kitchen and cook your own

Answer 4

Its best to give your dog prescribed food from the vet, it may be expensive et all but worth it at the end. Also try reading 'How to keep your Pets Happy,' on http://www.freewebs.com/soniapaul/articl... If you like the article, kindly provide feedback and/or comments. Thanks

Answer 5

If her liver fails, she dies.  You must call your vet and ask what alternatives are available.  There is more than one brand of prescription dog food.  S/he should be able to keep you supplied with a suitable food or at least suggest some home made diet.

Answer 6

It's very important that you continue to use the food prescribed by your vet. AND ONLY THAT FOOD! call your veterinarian and ask for another recommendation and stop giving treats or scraps. The treats or scraps that you're giving could be contributing to the liver disease. There are other good foods available and I would personally recommend a Hills Science Diet preparation if you can't get the Royal Canin.  

Answer 7

The best thing you can do is ask your vet if there is an alternative food.  If you change her food without consulting the vet you could seriously harm your dog and her liver.

Answer 8

my dog eats Science Diet.  i hate it, but my dog has to have bland food because of stomach problems.  it's the only thing he can eat, so we buy it for him.

Answer 9

If your dog has a sensitive stomach then I reccomend California natural. It's a lot better than prescription stuff. I switched over to that food from the science diet c**p that my vet gave me. Switch gradually though!

Answer 10

welll.... typically its not as important as you might think

MANY foods sold by a vet and marked as "Prescription" are c**p..

Science Diet is the most notorios for this.. but Royal Canin isnt far behind

you can get just as good for less - but you have to look around

read this link

http://www.gomestic.com/Pets/What-is-in-...

it will tell you if their are bad ingredients in that food - and show you if you are paying too much for a cleverly marketed food

is probably lamb and rice?? if you are in CANADA - look for NUTRAM Lamb and Rice.. in USA INNOVA is great

read the link..ask the vet SPECIFICALLY what ingredients are good/bad for liver problems

but see the link too...

in many cases the only difference is cost.. BUT know that NONE of the foods in grocery or Wal Mart are any good - all are c**p

I shop at livestock feed store