Is Prescription Pet Food Beneficial?
A balanced diet of any kind gives energy and nutrients essential for overall health. And, when it comes to our pets’ food, we always ensure to nourish them with the best food available on the market. But, sometimes, veterinarians may recommend “prescription food” to your pet, and it might leave you wondering if it is going to make a difference.
So, what is all the hype about prescription food, and do they really work? Let’s find it out.
What is Prescription Pet Food?
While it is obvious that all kinds of food provide nutrients, specific nutrients can help manage or control specific illnesses. The role of nutrients in the treatment of a disease was recognized long back, with this thousand of years old quote that acknowledges how the nutrients in food have healing properties:
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”-Hippocrates
(The father of medicine)
Hence, prescription pet foods are the ones in which specific ingredients or nutritional supplements are combined in the appropriate proportions to support a particular health condition. It is important to note that prescription pet food should be ideally used with a veterinarian’s recommendation only.
For instance, if your dog is suffering from digestive problems, your vet may suggest a prescription food that contains ingredients like prebiotics, postbiotics, and fibres to support digestion. And, if your cat has dental problems, the vet may recommend a dental care prescription diet.
Let’s understand how prescription food for pets helps particular health conditions.
Benefits of Prescription Pet Food
1 – Obesity
Extra body weight is a cause of multiple health problems. If your cat or dog is obese or overweight, your vet will suggest weight management prescription diets like Hill’s Prescription Diet R/D Weight Reduction Food or Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic Weight Management Food. Such low-fat, high-fibre foods are clinically proven to reduce weight without affecting health.
2 – Joint Problems
Arthritis or any other joint conditions like joint stiffness are very painful for pets. Sometimes, obesity is the major reason for joint problems as your pet’s joints have to bear extra weight. In this condition, Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic + Mobility (Weight and Joint Care) Dry Food can be a saviour. Joint care prescription foods are enriched with glucosamine and chondroitin, the two important joint care supplements.
3 – Gastrointestinal Problems
Generally, food intolerances, food sensitivities, and lack of digestive enzymes cause digestive health problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, or constipation. Prescription diets for digestion issues are specifically formulated to look after your pet’s digestive health, improve digestion, and cure digestive upsets.
4 – Urinary problems
Chronic kidney and urinary tract diseases including bladder stones demands special care. Prescription diets formulated for urinary care can treat these conditions without surgery and prevents further complications. Hill’s c/d Canine Urinary Tract Health Canned Dog Food is an excellent option that lowers the recurrence of urinary stone formation and improves bladder functionality.
5 – Skin Allergies
Skin allergies, irritations and itching can be frustrating for your pet and may also lead to hair loss, bleeding, cracks, etc. Prescription diets meant for skin care eliminate ingredients that cause skin irritations in pets. Skin care diets such as Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Canned Cat Food and Hill’s Prescription Diet D/d Skin and Food Sensitivities Dry Dog Food are formulated with easily digestible proteins, are grain-free and gluten-free to improve the quality of skin and coat.
Final thoughts
Prescription pet diets aim to support specific health conditions by providing beneficial nutrients. They sure might seem a little skeptical at first, but with an expert’s consultation, you can surely help your pet thrive. Moreover, don’t think of them as a medicinal diet that your pet won’t find appealing, they come in a variety of flavours to entice even the fussiest pets!
