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What is Veterinary Feed and Why is it Important?

Veterinary diets are more than just dog food; they are carefully formulated diets whose nutritional profile is tailored to address specific diseases and health concerns. The aim is to:

• **Support Treatment:** The food can help relieve symptoms, slow the progression of the disease and support the body's healing process.
• **Minimize Stress:** By adjusting nutritional content, veterinary foods can reduce the stress on organs already affected by disease (e.g. kidneys, liver).
• **Prevent New Problems:** Some veterinary foods are designed to prevent the recurrence of certain conditions, such as urinary stones.
• **Ensure Nutritional Balance:** Even if the food is adapted for a disease, it is still nutritionally complete for the dog's basic needs, avoiding nutritional deficiencies.

It is crucial that veterinary food is always given on the recommendation of a veterinarian after a thorough diagnosis. Giving the wrong type of veterinary food , or giving it to a healthy dog, can actually be harmful.

Common Uses for Veterinary Feed

Veterinary foods are available for a variety of health conditions:

1. Allergies and Food Intolerance:

For dogs that suffer from allergic reactions such as itching, skin problems, ear infections or gastrointestinal problems due to food. These veterinary foods are often based on hydrolyzed proteins (protein that has been broken down into such small parts that the immune system does not react to it) or rare protein sources such as duck, game meat or insects. They are also often grain-free to avoid common allergens.

2. Stomach and Intestinal Problems:

For dogs with sensitive stomachs, chronic diarrhea, constipation, IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) or pancreatitis. These veterinary foods are often highly digestible, contain prebiotics and probiotics to support a healthy intestinal flora, as well as a balanced fiber content.

3. Kidney problems:

When kidney function is impaired, it is important to reduce the load on the kidneys. Veterinary food for kidney problems has a controlled, lower content of protein and phosphorus, as well as adapted levels of sodium and omega-3 fatty acids. This type of food can be found both as dry food and wet food .

4. Urinary tract problems:

To help dissolve existing urinary stones (e.g. struvite stones) or prevent new ones from forming, these veterinary foods manipulate the pH of urine and have controlled levels of minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus and calcium.

5. Joint problems and osteoarthritis:

For dogs with osteoarthritis, joint pain or those predisposed to joint problems (e.g. large breeds or senior dogs ), these foods often contain high levels of joint-supporting substances such as glucosamine, chondroitin and omega-3 fatty acids (especially EPA) which have anti-inflammatory properties.

6. Diabetes:

Diabetic foods are designed to help stabilize blood sugar levels in dogs with diabetes. These diets are often high in fiber and low in fast carbohydrates.

7. Weight control:

For dogs that are overweight or need to maintain a healthy weight, these veterinary foods are lower in calories but still nutritionally complete, often with higher fiber content to increase satiety.

8. Liver and Heart Problems:

Specially adapted feeds are also available for dogs with liver diseases (controlled protein content and easily digestible carbohydrates) and heart problems (controlled sodium levels and enriched with taurine and L-carnitine).

9. Convalescence and Recovery:

For dogs recovering from illness, surgery or being underweight. These are often high-energy foods with high digestibility to facilitate intake and nutrient absorption when appetite may be reduced.

Important Things to Remember When Using Veterinary Feed

• **Veterinary recommendation is essential:** Never purchase and feed veterinary food without a clear recommendation from your veterinarian. An incorrect diet can delay recovery or worsen a condition.
• **Read the Label Carefully:** Always check that the food is intended for the specific health condition your dog has and that it matches your veterinarian's recommendation.
• **Gradual Transition:** As with any food change, introduce veterinary food gradually over 7-10 days to avoid stomach upset.
• **No Additives:** Avoid mixing veterinary food with other dog foods or giving regular dog treats , unless specifically approved by your veterinarian. This may dilute the therapeutic effect.
• **Water Access:** Always make sure your dog has access to fresh water, regardless of whether they eat dry food or wet food .

Zoostar.se – Your Support for Dog Health

At Zoostar.se we are dedicated to providing high-quality products that promote your dog's health and well-being. Our range of veterinary dog food includes solutions for many different health conditions. We work with trusted manufacturers who guarantee scientifically formulated and effective dietary foods. Please remember that our team cannot provide medical advice, but we are here to offer you a wide selection of the products your veterinarian recommends.

Explore our full range of dog food and treats , including puppy food , senior dog food , grain-free food , and dog treats and chews , as well as milk replacers and puppy mash . Together with your veterinarian, we will help you choose the best veterinary food for your dog's specific needs, contributing to a healthier and happier life.

Frequently Asked Questions about Veterinary Dog Food

Here we answer some of the most frequent questions we receive regarding veterinary food for dogs.

What is veterinary feed and when is it used?

Veterinary foods, also known as medical foods, therapeutic foods, or dietary foods, are specially formulated diets designed to address specific medical conditions or nutritional needs in dogs. Unlike regular commercial dog foods, which are intended for healthy dogs, veterinary foods are carefully formulated to support treatment, manage symptoms, and sometimes even prevent the progression of diseases. These foods are not approved for sale without a veterinarian’s recommendation, as they often have specific nutritional profiles that are not appropriate for healthy animals. When is veterinary food used? Veterinary foods are used when a dog is diagnosed with a specific health problem that can be improved or managed through diet. Here are some of the most common reasons: 1. Allergies and food intolerances: For dogs with hypersensitivity to certain ingredients. These foods often contain a single, unusual source of protein (such as duck, venison, or hydrolyzed protein – protein that has been broken down so small that the immune system does not react to it) and a single source of carbohydrates to minimize allergic reactions. Examples: skin problems, itching, gastrointestinal problems. 2. Gastrointestinal problems: For dogs with chronic gastrointestinal diseases such as IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), diarrhea, constipation, pancreatitis (pancreatitis) or malabsorption. These foods are often very easy to digest, have a balanced fiber content (soluble and insoluble fiber) and may contain prebiotics and probiotics to support the intestinal flora. 3. Kidney problems: For dogs with impaired kidney function. Kidney foods usually have lower protein and phosphorus content to reduce the burden on the kidneys, as well as adjusted levels of sodium and omega-3 fatty acids. 4. Urinary tract problems: To help dissolve or prevent urinary stones (e.g. struvite or oxalate stones). These foods manipulate the pH of the urine and have controlled levels of minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus and calcium. 5. Joint and Arthritis: To support joint health in dogs with osteoarthritis or those predisposed to joint problems (e.g. large breeds). The food often contains high levels of glucosamine, chondroitin and omega-3 fatty acids (especially EPA) which have anti-inflammatory properties. 6. Diabetes: For dogs with diabetes. These diets are often high in fibre and low in fast carbohydrates to help stabilise blood sugar levels. 7. Weight Management: For overweight dogs that need to lose weight or dogs that need to maintain a healthy weight after weight loss. These foods are lower in calories but still nutritionally complete, often with a higher fibre content to increase satiety. 8. Liver Disease: For dogs with liver disease. These foods often have a controlled protein content and contain easily digestible carbohydrates. 9. Heart Disease: To support heart function in dogs with heart disease. These foods often have controlled sodium levels and may contain taurine and L-carnitine. 10. Convalescence and Recovery: High-energy, highly digestible food for dogs recovering from illness, surgery or malnutrition. Important to remember: Veterinary foods are medical products. They should always be prescribed by a veterinarian who has made a diagnosis and assessed the dog's specific needs. Feeding the wrong veterinary food, or feeding it to a healthy dog, can be harmful. Your veterinarian is best placed to recommend the specific food, the amount and for how long your dog should eat it.

Do I need a vet's prescription to buy veterinary food?

Yes, it is highly recommended and in many cases a requirement to have a veterinarian’s prescription or recommendation before purchasing and feeding your dog veterinary food (also called medical food or dietary food). This is due to several important reasons: 1. Diagnosis required: Veterinary foods are designed to treat or manage specific medical conditions. Without a proper diagnosis from a veterinarian, you risk feeding your dog the wrong food, which is not only ineffective but can potentially worsen your dog’s condition or even create new health problems. For example, a renal food can be harmful to a dog with heart disease, and vice versa. 2. Customized nutrient profile: These foods often have a very specific nutrient profile with customized levels of protein, fat, minerals (such as phosphorus, calcium, sodium), vitamins, and other components. These levels are optimized to support a specific disease. Feeding such a food to a healthy dog, or a dog with another condition, can lead to nutritional deficiencies or excesses that are harmful in the long term. 3. Monitoring the effect: Your veterinarian may need to monitor your dog’s response to the food and adjust the treatment plan as needed. This may include blood tests, urinalysis, or regular check-ups to ensure that the food is having the desired effect and that no side effects are occurring. 4. Insurance issues: Some pet insurance policies may require a veterinarian’s prescription to cover costs related to veterinary food as part of a treatment. 5. Long-term use: Many veterinary foods are intended for long-term or lifelong use. A veterinarian can advise on how long the food should be given and whether a gradual transition back to regular food is necessary, if applicable. 6. Legal and ethical considerations: In the EU, veterinary foods are classified as “dietary foods for particular nutritional purposes” and are regulated. Although there is not always a specific law requiring a prescription for each individual sale, retail outlets (including online stores such as Zoostar.se) are strongly encouraged to inform customers about the importance of veterinary advice and that those who purchase the food do so at their own risk, to ensure the best interests of the animal and comply with ethical guidelines. At Zoostar.se, as with most reputable retailers, we always recommend that you consult your veterinarian before purchasing veterinary food. This is for the safety and health of your dog. Our customer service cannot provide medical advice or recommendations regarding veterinary food.

Can I mix veterinary food with other dog food or treats?

Mixing veterinary food with other dog foods or regular treats is not recommended in most cases, and can even be counterproductive or harmful to your dog's health. The reason is that veterinary foods are carefully formulated to have a very specific nutritional profile that is tailored to a specific medical condition. Why you should avoid mixing veterinary foods: 1. Cancels the therapeutic effect: Veterinary foods are designed to "treat" a specific health problem by adjusting the levels of proteins, fats, minerals (e.g. phosphorus, sodium), vitamins, fiber or other components. If you mix it with regular food, you dilute or change these carefully balanced levels. This can cause the food to lose its therapeutic effect and the dog's condition to not improve or even worsen. Examples: - Renal food: Has low levels of phosphorus and protein. If you mix it with regular food that has higher levels, the load on the kidneys can increase again. - Allergy food: Often contains hydrolyzed protein or a new/unusual protein source. If you give treats with an allergen that your dog cannot tolerate, you can trigger an allergic reaction despite the specially adapted food. - Food for urinary stones: Has a specific mineral composition and pH balance. Other foods can disrupt this balance and prevent the stones from dissolving or new ones from forming. 2. Diagnostic difficulties: If your dog has been given a veterinary food as part of a diagnostic elimination diet (e.g. in case of suspected allergy), introducing other foods or treats can ruin the test results and make it impossible to determine the allergy. 3. Obesity and other problems: Many veterinary foods are also calorie and nutritionally controlled. Adding extra food or treats can lead to obesity, which in itself can worsen many health conditions (e.g. joint problems, diabetes, heart problems). When can you possibly mix or supplement? In some specific cases and ONLY after consulting your veterinarian, there may be exceptions: - The veterinarian may in rare cases recommend a very small amount of a specific treat that is approved to be given with the medical food, especially if the dog is very picky. These treats are often specially formulated to match the diet food. - If the dog is extremely picky with their veterinary food, the veterinarian may suggest mixing a small amount of a specially adapted wet food (that matches the diet food) to increase palatability, or giving a specific supplement that is safe and does not affect the therapeutic effect of the diet. - If your dog is going to switch to a new veterinary food, the veterinarian may recommend a gradual transition by mixing the new and old food for a short period, but this is a transition, not a long-term mixture with another non-medical food. In summary: The main rule is to never mix veterinary food with other food or treats unless you have explicitly received this recommendation from your treating veterinarian. Following your veterinarian's instructions carefully is crucial to ensure that the diet food has the intended positive effect on your dog's health and well-being.