Understanding Prescription Diets: When Your Pet Needs One

A prescription diet is not premium food. It is formulated to manage a specific disease, and the wrong one causes harm.

Renal diets

Restricted phosphorus and controlled protein slow the progression of chronic kidney disease. Feeding one to a healthy young dog is not beneficial.

Urinary diets

Adjust urine pH and mineral content to dissolve or prevent specific crystal types. Struvite and oxalate need opposite approaches, which is why the crystal must be identified first.

Hypoallergenic diets

Use hydrolysed or novel proteins so the immune system does not recognise them. They only work if nothing else is fed — one biscuit ruins an elimination trial.

Stay under supervision

These diets need periodic bloodwork or urinalysis to confirm they are still the right choice.