When shopping for pet foods, you may have noticed that some dog and cat foods are available only with a prescription. While most foods do not require a veterinarian’s approval, those specially formulated to help manage a health condition can only be purchased for a pet that has been diagnosed and treated by a vet.

Learn why some pet foods require a prescription, what kind of veterinary pet foods are available, and what you should know if your pet may require an RX diet.
 

What is Veterinary Pet Food?

Veterinary or therapeutic diets are formulated with specific levels of nutrients using extensive testing and clinical research studies. These pet foods do not contain drugs or medications, but they may contain functional ingredients and carefully balanced antioxidants, vitamins, or minerals to help manage or treat your pet’s condition. They may need to be fed for a short period of time, or your pet may need to stay on a veterinary diet for the rest of their life.
 

Why Do Some Pets Need A Veterinary Diet?

Veterinary diets are available for a wide range of chronic illnesses in pets, including obesity, heart disease, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and allergies. There are also therapeutic foods available for pets undergoing cancer treatment or recovering from surgery.
 

Why Can’t I Purchase Pet Food Without A Prescription?

Veterinary pet foods require approval from your veterinarian to ensure that your pet gets the right food for their specific dietary needs. 

Many health conditions have nonspecific symptoms. Before starting a therapeutic diet, diagnostic testing may be necessary to determine the best treatment plan for your pet. 

Once your pet has been examined and diagnosed by your veterinarian, you can ask your vet about choosing the best therapeutic diet to help manage their symptoms. With your veterinarian’s approval, you’ll know that you’re purchasing the correct food for your pet’s specific needs rather than accidentally purchasing a formula that is not appropriate for them.

For pets with chronic health conditions, you may need to see your veterinarian to monitor their progress or disease management to ensure that the diet is working as intended or to make changes if needed.
 

Can Veterinary Pet Foods Be Harmful To Non-Prescribed Pets?

No, prescription pet foods are not harmful to non-prescribed pets.

In a multi-pet household, mix-ups can happen from time to time. Maybe your other pet snuck a bite of prescription food, or a family member accidentally switched their bowls. 

Usually, a bite or even a full bowl of veterinary pet food will not harm the non-prescribed pet. The majority of therapeutic recipes are safe for long-term feeding, though some are formulated for short-term use. Even so, you should always try to give your pets their appropriate nutritional needs. 

Make sure their bowls and pet food packaging are clearly labeled and stored out of reach. Leave notes for friends, family members, and pet sitters who may feed your pets when you are not around. 
 

Shop Veterinary Pet Foods at PetMeds^®

Does your dog or cat need a veterinary diet? Shop prescription pet food on PetMeds.com. You can mail in your prescription or simply have PetMeds contact your vet for authorization.

Need to talk to a veterinarian about recommending a veterinary diet for your pet? Make a same-day televet appointment with VetLive*. 

*State laws determine whether vets can write prescriptions during virtual visits.