[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by pstinard

Prescription diets are foods that have been prepared by veterinary nutritionists to treat specific diseases. For instance, prescription food for dogs with kidney problems contains low phosphorus and low sodium to relieve the strain on kidneys. Prescription food for dogs with food allergies contains hydrolyzed proteins that are too small to trigger an allergic reaction. You have to have a vet's prescription to purchase them. Veterinarians don't prescribe these on a whim.

It's possible to create home cooked meals that have the same effect as a prescription diet, but again, it has to been done in close consultation with a veterinary nutritionist, and it has to be prescribed by a veterinarian. www.balanceit.com is a good example of a company that creates tailor-made home-cooked prescription diets in consultation with veterinary nutritionists.

A raw diet that has not been approved by a veterinary nutritionist is dangerous to give to dogs with certain illnesses such as kidney disease. I can't emphasize that enough.