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What is the Best Vet Recommended Dog Food?

Picture of Dr. Rick Coufal, DVM

Dr. Rick Coufal, DVM

Dr. Rick Coufal is the founder and lead veterinarian for Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic. Coufal graduated from State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in May of 2000.

Many pet owners have at least one pet that suffers from a condition such as skin sensitivity, allergies or digestion issues. Many pets require a special diet that’s formulated with high-quality food to help ease some of their symptoms. Whether your puppy is allergic to a handful of ingredients or he requires a daily dose of certain nutrients, there are a wide variety of veterinary-recommended dog food options available. It’s important to find the right dog food so that you can rest assured in knowing that you’re caring for your pup to the best of your abilities.

As one of the premier veterinary clinics in Colorado Springs, Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic is proud to help educate our clients so that they are able to provide the best life for their furry family members. Our three go-to prescription dog food brands are Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Royal Canin and Purina Pro Plan because they offer countless varieties to target any health issues that your dog may be facing. From food options to pet vaccinations, our knowledgeable team is dedicated to helping educate the pet owners of Colorado Springs.

Is Prescription Dog Food Necessary?

Prescription dog food is more common than most pet owners realize. Often, this type of veterinary-recommended food is formulated to meet your dog’s unique needs. If your veterinarian recommends a special food for your pup, it’s because they require a specific diet to ensure an optimal level of health. 

With this in mind, most prescription diets are highly targeted and should only be used for the duration that is prescribed. However, some conditions require lifelong treatment while others do not. These targeted diets are ideal because they improve your dog’s health as they consume the food. In many cases, the condition is alleviated when the feeding duration ends. 

Types of Prescription Diet Dog Food

Since some pet owners are unaware of prescription diets in the first place, it is helpful to explore all the different brands available to purchase. For the sake of brevity, we will only be diving into the top three veterinary recommended manufacturers: Hills Pet Nutrition, Royal Canin Dog Food, and Purina Pro Plan. 

Hills Pet Nutrition 

  • Offers over 70 different types of diets.
  • Wet and dry options are available.
  • Hill’s is right in the middle for the amount of offerings it has available compared to the other two brands we recommend. They make food that can target a specific issue like kidney care as well as producing diets for more general issues like dental health and multi-benefit digestion
  • Hill’s is known for nutrition-focused diets that are sustainable and high quality.
  • This is a good brand for both specific and more generalized issues that arise in your dog.

Royal Canin Dog Food

  • Offers over 160 different targeted formulations.
  • Wet and dry options are available. 
  • Royal Canin has the largest variety available between the three brands. This means that you can have a hyper-specialized food for urinary support or weight management, or even just a breed-specific blend to help support the nutrition level your dog requires. Whether you have a large breed like a Golden Retriever or small breed like a Shih Tzu, there is an option for your canine companion.
  • Royal Canin is known for their scientifically researched diets and their high-quality sustainable production.
  • If you are looking for a brand that encompasses a huge swath of dietary needs or targeted formulas for specific breeds or conditions, Royal Canin is for you. 

Purina Pro Plan

  • Offers a selection of over 50 varieties.
  • Wet and dry options are available, they also offer treats as well. 
  • Out of the three brands, Purina Pro Plan is the one that has the least amount of varieties, however, they still offer both targeted and general formulas. If your dog struggles with skin issues like dermatitis or you want to provide targeted care for their brain health or you are looking for breed-specific recipes, Purina Pro Plan has you covered.
  • Purina is known for both its high-quality prescription diets and non-prescription diets available at pet supply stores nationwide.
  • Purina is an excellent choice as a prescription diet for pet owners who already buy the brand for their dog’s non-prescription needs as well. 

Quality Vet Care in Colorado Springs | Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic

At Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic, we want to ensure your dog is on the right track with their health. Some of the common health conditions that require specialized food can be rather sneaky, if your dog has not had their annual checkup, it is time to schedule an appointment today! Our compassionate team of professionals will help you find the best food options for your canine friend if they do require a personalized diet. We make ordering your new prescription diet easy with our online options!

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Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic is seeking an enthusiastic and caring veterinarian to work relief, part-time or full-time in our general practice. PVC is a full-service, 3+ doctor, small-animal veterinary hospital. We have established an excellent reputation for developing lasting relationships with our clients and for providing compassionate and quality care to our patients.