Why You Should Say "NO" When Your Vet Recommends Rx Dog Food

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I've been doing a lot of research on feeding dogs for some time now, and people often ask me to help them find a good quality commercial food. Lately, I've had a few people whose vets recommended Hill's "prescription" diets (or similar foods like Purina EN) which can only be purchased by vet prescription. These foods are usually sold directly by the vet and are very expensive.
People can sense by looking at the labels or reading on-line that these foods don't seem all that healthy, and they would like to feed something better, not to mention cheaper. But they have been told that their dogs need these foods because of allergies, chronic diarrhea or other gastrointestinal problems, and they don't know what a good alternative might be.
You may already know that most vets don't know very much about nutrition or dog food. That may seem strange to you, but it isn't much different than medical doctors. In each case, they take a rudimentary course in college, the same course that nurses & exercise instructors (or vet techs) take.
In fact, the veterinary colleges have no required nutrition curriculum.  What information is provided comes in the form of seminars conducts by Hills, Purina and Mars, makers of the Rx foods your vet sells. The textbooks are written and published by people who work for these companies, and their advertising is all over the walls. They also give a commission to the vets for selling their foods. Can you say "conflict of interest"? The vets are taught to "prescribe" these foods as if they're medicine. "Dog has diarrhea? Recommend this!", the salesman tells them, and then launches into the sales pitch about how great the food is.
If you brought your child to the doctor because he had chronic diarrhea or was vomiting, and the doctor said, "Here, feed him this", would you accept that? Or would you want to know what was wrong, why the child is ill, what is causing it? Wouldn't you expect some tests? Wouldn't you want a diagnosis, a prognosis, and an explanation of how the food (medicine) will help?
We need to learn to do the same thing with our dogs. Let's take a look at some of these foods the vets are recommending.

[Brittney & Cally]

If you go to the recommended foods you will find some great options!

[Tammie Ciesielka]

As we were getting out of bed this morning, Roxy threw up (all water looking liquid).  Do I need to get her back to the vet?  I was about to feed her breakfast now I'm not sure if I should.  Should the Dr. have given her an antibiotic to take?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, she needs to go back to the vet. You must find out exactly what is going on in her GI tract. I would not feed her. 

Antibiotics are for infections. They shouldn't be given unless it has been determined that an infection is present, which is not the case with Roxy as far as you know.

There is something in her GI tract that is preventing her from digesting her food normally. Whether it's a foreign body or something else, we don;t know, but this is not just an upset stomach from too much marrow. And if it's acute pancreatitis, you would see more signs of illness...lethargy, lack of appetite, etc as described in the link I posted above. Dogs with pancreatitis are very, very sick. Either way, she needs to be seen. 

[Hazel & Chester Wayte]

How is Roxy Doing? I hope she is feeling better.

[Tammie Ciesielka]

She is feeling better.  She's been eating her chicken, rice & sweet potatoes.  She's been pretty sleepy but I'm guessing that's to be expected after feeling so bad.  Thank you so much for asking!

[Gail and Bailey]

Glad Roxy is feeling better!  Did she ever pass whatever the vet saw on the xray?  Hoping she continues to feel good and gets her energy back!  Sending Doodle hugs!

[Tammie Ciesielka]

No.  I watch her outside and if she poops I run out and check it.  What the neighbors must think! This morning she was back to her old mischievous Doodle ways :)  I think she's on the mend.  Thank you for checking up on her!

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

Glad she is feeling better! Still to this day, I inspect both Woody and Maxi's poo..my neighbors love it! lol

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

Wish you all the best at the vet..and I would ask the vet to take a better look at the X-ray..He should be able to tell the difference between poo and a sock on the X-ray..and at this point, whatever it is, should have moved

[Jen W]

For what it's worth, this advice doesn't just pertain to dogs.  Whenever your human doctor recommends something, remember that there are sales reps in the doctor's offices every day trying to push medications, procedures and treatments all for a profit motive.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Very true. But the doctor at least isn't selling the drugs to you. 

[Pam Thomas]

I wouldn't eat it, so my dog won't. Same thing always worked, rice, a little very lean ground beef, and a bite of banana for treat.