Special Food for Dogs With Allergies

cakana-- I think there are a few formulas (such a this one) that do not require an RX

Yeah, I've been wanting this food for a while, but its a pain in the butt to have to get a prescription. I don't see why I need my vet's approval to feed what I think will work for my dog.

LOL! I looked at this in Petsmart today and wished it wasn't prescription.

Does anyone know if Royal Canin's fish meal is preserved with ethoxyquin?

 
I thought you had to order this through a vet. Our PetsMart only carries the regular formulas and not all of them either; the only holistic food they carry is Blue Buffalo and they only started selling it a month ago. I called and asked them if the fish meal had ethoxyquin and the person I spoke with said they only used natural preservatives. That doesn't fully answer the question because if they import the fish meal ethoxyquin would be in it.

So, do you just ask your vet to write a script and then take it in to PetCo or whatever store? I think I might just give this a try with Sassy. Is it just me, or does it seem like there shouldn't be a need for a perscription?

 
 I am fairly certain that you have to order all their prescription diets through your vet; that's what it says on their site.

ORIGINAL: jessies_mom

LOL! I looked at this in Petsmart today and wished it wasn't prescription.

Does anyone know if Royal Canin's fish meal is preserved with ethoxyquin?

I thought you had to order this through a vet. Our PetsMart only carries the regular formulas and not all of them either; the only holistic food they carry is Blue Buffalo and they only started selling it a month ago. I called and asked them if the fish meal had ethoxyquin and the person I spoke with said they only used natural preservatives. That doesn't fully answer the question because if they import the fish meal ethoxyquin would be in it.

In the Petsmart I was at the RC vet diets (and all the other rx diets) were on the very back aisle facing the in-store vet area. That section is covered by a pull down curtain-thingy when the vet is closed.

I'm waiting for my registration to be approved om the RC board. I'll post when I'm able and let you guys know.

ORIGINAL: sooner

In the Petsmart I was at the RC vet diets (and all the other rx diets) were on the very back aisle facing the in-store vet area. That section is covered by a pull down curtain-thingy when the vet is closed.

FYI: i think only the petsmarts that have a vet office carry the rx foods. at least that is the way it is here. the petsmart near us does not have a vet, so no rx food. the one across town has a vet and has rx food.

I've done it before so I can clarify what you'll need to do to get the prescription food.  First, if it's a "veterinary diet", no matter what it's for, you'll need a prescription for it. 

If your own vet doesn't sell it or it's more convenient to get it at the Petmart then have your vet write a prescription.  Then you will need to take it to the Petsmart when the animal hospital is open.  They will enter all your pets info in and give you a ID card for your dog that will have it's information and what food is prescribed.  Then until the refills run out you can just go in when you run out and take the food to the register, show the card (you have to show the card every time) and check out as usual. If you don't have it they can't verify it unless the hospital is open. 

I had Willow's vet put "as needed" for refills so we wouldn't run out at all. 
 
I ended up going back to getting her food at her vets office though.  The price was higher from the Petsmart. 

ORIGINAL: jessies_mom

Ben reacts to chicken fat. I can't ignore that fact, in spite of what the nutritionists say. Possibly the fat is not 100% free of chicken proteins, I don't know. I can only work with what Ben "tells" me

I've also heard of dogs that are allergic to artificial colors in dog food and that's not a protein either. It's hard enough finding a food without chicken in it somewhere; even animal digest has chicken ; finding one without chicken and chicken fat is really tough.

 
Animal digest comes from mammals. Poultry digest comes from any feathered critter. 

You don't have to have a prescription for IVD's limited diets.... At least not here.

There's one vet's office in town that carries them, and I called, asking about it once. I still haven't gone to see what their prices are. They don't carry the rabbit flavor regularly, and that's the one I really wanted. I guess they could order me a case of cans, though.

Animal digest comes from mammals. Poultry digest comes from any feathered critter.

 
 When I found that Jessie was allergic to chicken I was considering feeding her urina Pro Plan Sensitive Systems but was concerned about the animal digest in the formula, so I asked them what it contained. It was made from the internal organs of chicken and pork(pigs), so it's always a good idea to ask a company about the ingredients they use, such as animal digest, if your dog has food allergies.

If your vet doesn't carry a prescription food that you want they should be able to order it for you; that's what my vet does.

I thought you had to order this through a vet. Our PetsMart only carries the regular formulas and not all of them either; the only holistic food they carry is Blue Buffalo and they only started selling it a month ago. I called and asked them if the fish meal had ethoxyquin and the person I spoke with said they only used natural preservatives. That doesn't fully answer the question because if they import the fish meal ethoxyquin would be in it.

Some Pet Smarts and Pet Co's have vet clinics in them and therefore can sell prescription foods, but only with a prescription.

The animal feed store here carries or will order any RC product, including the Rx diets. Might want to ask. I use a non Rx version of RC for my allergy boy and it does well for him. Not sure what your dog is/is not allergic to. I am having an early morning brain fart, but I think it is called Nature's Blend Natural Choice- it is a holistic feed, comes in several versions and "flavors".
 
FYI- the RC web forum is stinky for responses (usually), but the phone and email service isn't bad at all. RC also has a "buy 10 get 1 free" deal you can sign up for - every little bit helps, eh? If you vet doesn't have the paper for it, just ask RC to send it to you. You have to save receipts and barcodes as proof of purchase.