Prescription Pet Food
A prescription diet is medical treatment in a bag, chosen for a specific condition like bladder stones, kidney disease, food allergies, or digestive problems. The doctors at our Midlothian clinic, on Steam Avenue off Midlothian Turnpike, match the diet to the diagnosis and recheck to make sure it's working.
Call (804) 603-9509 for a refill or to book an exam.
When it's an emergency: Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital if your pet stops eating and is vomiting, or if a male cat on a urinary diet is straining with little or no urine. Our Midlothian clinic is open 8 AM to 6 PM, seven days a week, and we don't provide overnight care.
Conditions Diets Can Treat
Bladder stones and urinary crystals.
Kidney disease.
Food allergies (with a hydrolyzed or novel-protein diet).
Sensitive stomachs, pancreatitis, and chronic diarrhea.
Weight loss, diabetes, and joint support.
How the Diet Is Chosen
The doctor starts with a diagnosis, often using a urine test, blood work, or imaging, then picks a diet that targets it. For food allergy, the diet itself is the test, so it has to be the only food for several weeks.
Prescription diets require a veterinarian's authorization, whether you buy them here or online. PetMD's guide covers when a prescription dog food makes sense and how to switch.
Switching Diets at Home
Transition over about a week, mixing more new food each day, unless the doctor says to switch right away.
Skip treats and table food unless the doctor approves them.
Tell everyone in the house, including kids and pet sitters.
Call if your pet refuses the food; there are usually alternatives.
"They took great care of my Charlie and really worked with us on the budget we had!!"
— Courtney C., Petfolk client.
When a Prescription Diet Isn't the Answer
A pet who's itchy because of fleas, or has loose stool from a recent diet change, usually doesn't need a prescription food. Neither does a healthy pet whose owner wants a "better" food. The doctor will tell you whether a regular diet will do.
Keep a Storm Supply
Summer thunderstorms and the remnants of tropical systems can knock out power and close roads around the Richmond area. Shipments get delayed, and stores run short. A pet on a prescription diet can't safely switch to whatever's on the shelf.
Keep at least a two-week supply on hand, more in late summer.
Store dry food in its original bag inside a sealed container, somewhere cool and dry. Midlothian's summer humidity can turn an open bag stale.
Keep canned prescription food in the rotation, since it doesn't need power.
What Drives the Cost
The cost depends on the diet, your pet's size, and how long it's needed, plus any rechecks or lab tests that confirm it's working. Ask for the price per bag or case when you order.
Start With the Diagnosis
Book a visit at our clinic on Steam Avenue, and leave with a diet chosen for your pet's condition. Call (804) 603-9509.