The following article was written in collaboration with Hill’s.
Precisely balanced nutrition is vital to the overall health and development of dogs, regardless of age, size, breed or health status. At Hill’s, we know that pets with certain health conditions can benefit from the specialized nutritional support offered by the Prescription Diet portfolio.
How Hill’s Prescription Diet Dog Food Works
Hill’s Prescription Diet brand includes foods intended to help veterinarians manage a variety of health conditions for dogs (and cats). Hill’s Prescription Diet foods have been extensively tested to ensure they meet the nutritional requirements for the specific health conditions for which they are recommended.
Nutrition may play a role in how veterinarians manage certain conditions. Some examples could include:
Your veterinarian plays an important role in recognizing more or less subtle conditions that may benefit from therapeutic nutrition.
Your veterinarian can determine if your dog needs a Hill’s prescription diet.
To determine if your pet should eat a Hill’s Prescription Diet food, your veterinarian will begin with a thorough physical examination and ask questions about your dog’s lifestyle and behavior.
After the exam, they may recommend additional diagnostics (such as blood work, cytology, urinalysis, or diagnostic imaging) to help properly diagnose your pet and rule out other conditions. This will help your veterinarian formulate a comprehensive care plan, including a nutritional recommendation.
In my experience as a practicing veterinarian, the cases where nutrition is most often recommended are when the dog has an underlying condition related to any of the following conditions: urinary care, kidney care, skin care/allergies , weight control and digestive care.
Hill’s Prescription Diet and Obesity in Dogs
When it comes to losing weight, it’s important to pay attention to everything your pet eats during the day. The easiest place to start is to eliminate extra calories, like treats and table scraps.
However, most overweight pets do not benefit from calorie restriction from treats alone. In fact, simply feeding a pet less (or fewer calories) of its normal food is not recommended and can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Several Hill’s Prescription Diet foods are specifically formulated to help your pet lose weight. Wherever you see “Metabolic” or “+Metabolic,” this means the food contains our synergistic blend of fibers of fruits and vegetables that activates the body’s natural ability to burn excess fat instead of storing it.
This means your pup’s metabolism will act more like a lean pet’s metabolism while ensuring his nutritional and caloric needs are met.
Results with Hill’s Prescription Diet
Each pet and each health condition is unique and may respond differently when fed Prescription Diet foods. However, Hill’s conducts extensive research and clinical studies to create specific and relevant product claims for Prescription Diet products.
To learn more about the research conducted and results seen in our clinical studies for specific foods, visit hillspet.com or speak with your veterinarian.
Always talk to your veterinarian about your expectations and any important milestones to consider when feeding your pet a Prescription Diet food.
Work with your veterinarian by introducing him to a Hill’s prescription diet
It is important to work closely with your veterinarian when switching your puppy to a new food. Your veterinarian will help you determine how much your pet should eat based on the specific food and his or her ideal weight and lifestyle. You will work together to create a food transition plan before switching to the new food.
It is important that the food transition be slow and gradual to ensure that your pet eats the new food and reduce the chances of suffering from a gastrointestinal disorder. We recommend seven to 10 days to fully transition to the new food, but for more demanding patients, it may take longer.
Therapeutic nutrition can play an important role in managing your pet’s health. These foods have been extensively tested to ensure they are precisely balanced and are an appropriate part of your veterinarian’s treatment plan to monitor your pet’s health status.
Since these foods are only fed under the recommendation of your veterinarian, be sure to ask at your next appointment if a Hill’s Prescription Diet product is right for your pet.
Hill’s Prescription Diet FAQ
Do I need a prescription for Hill’s Prescription Diet?
Prescription Diet foods do not require a traditional recipe, but do require a recommendation and approval from a licensed veterinarian. Schedule an appointment to ask your veterinarian to evaluate your pet’s health and nutritional needs.
How long can a dog be on Hill’s prescription diet?
Your veterinarian will advise you which feeding plan is best for your pet’s nutritional needs. Most Prescription Diet products are suitable for long-term feeding.
How long does it take for Hill’s Prescription Diet to work on a dog?
Each pet and each health condition is unique and may respond differently when fed Prescription Diet foods. However, Hill’s conducts extensive research and clinical studies to help demonstrate the effectiveness of many Prescription Diet products.
Always talk to your veterinarian about your expectations and any important milestones to consider when feeding a Prescription Diet food.
My pet is fussy. Can I mix other foods with Prescription Diet food?
Never feed or supplement other foods without first consulting your veterinarian. When your pet is on a prescribed diet, it is important to feed only that food for optimal compliance with your veterinarian’s treatment plan.
If you’re concerned that your pet may want more variety, talk to your veterinarian about what other flavor or form options (such as dried, stewed, or pate) are available.
Cover image: iStock.com/VYCHEGZHANINA
