What do you cogitate of veterinarians who notify their customers to buy Science Diet pet food?
A friend of mine sent me this comparison.
http://www.healthypetnet.com/HealthyPetN...
It was helpful to me in that it give me some depth into canine diets in general.
The sincerity is that when it comes to prescription diets, only two companies are in this market - Science Diet and Royal Canin. Neither is great; Science Diet have been around a lot longer and has a larger flea market share and is easier for vets to get - more distributors carry it. So sometimes whether you have animal with a specific health condition, you might be stuck near it.
I've never had a vet that recommended Science Diet as a regular food for a healthy animal not requiring a prescription diet. If one did, I'd say he is not up-to-date. It used to be considered the best food on the flea market some time ago but things have changed a lot.
I think they are idiots.
The first ingredient is CORN MEAL... NO THANKS!
I think they are sorely misled on the nutritional value of this food. Vets bring only about 3 hours training in nutrition while within college and it is taught by pet food companies. Lots of vets are starting to do research on what makes a large quality food but some still enjoy the extra money from the pet food companies for promoting their products.
Answers: I think they are taking the easy way out a bit than educating themselves about what REALLY cures most diseases. How about a spiecies appropriate diet for starters.
My own "convential" vet was guilty *pushing* prescription diets as a cure until I cured my cats of FLUTD, struvite crystals, bladder and kidney stones next to a natural raw diet and NO crappy foods or medications. He immediately recommends a species appropriate diet first, and then moves on to prescription foods only whether the owner isn't interested. That makes me very happy and proud that he be willing to learn from little ol' me! I now do nutritional consulting for his clinics clients surrounded by need.
And no... vets do not recieve any formal training on dogs or cats during thier schooling. In all my vet years at school... he was taught ONE 4 hour lesson on bovine nutrition (cow). That's it. Nothing more. You can learn more about feline nutrition reading the internet than what vet are taught in school.
I don't think many vets 'tell' race to feed Hills, I think they recommend it. It seems to vary in America; in England the first ingredients of Hills diets is always meat.
It really bugs me that population think vets push food because it makes up a voluminous chunk of their income! People are insane for thinking this; it makes up a small fraction of a vet practice's profits! My boss says he's prefer not to sell any food apart from a couple of the prescription diets he finds adjectives. Other than that he says selling the food is not worth the space and hassle; he only does it because it's what clients (and nurses) want.
BTW the majority of profits in vet practice come from operation and consults.
Also annoying when people think vets acquire money for selling Hills! Don't know about other countries but I've never heard of vets where on earth I am getting a money incentive to sell food, we certainly don't.
I know Science Diet has a awful reputation on here and, it seems America in general and I'll probably gain a thousand thumbs down for even daring to suggest that vets aren't crooks for stocking it. But I can relate you the truth from where I come from; Hills is a premium food and vets don't get given money to market it.
I find it very demeaning when people make comments close to this that suggest vets don't know anything about nutrition or supply a damn about animal health so long as they're making money. Never met a vet like that.
Chalice
EDIT: Vets do not shift to vet 'school' for a decade, they go for 5 years, 6 max.
The same thing I think of doctors that push the latest prescription because they get trips and rewards out of it, It turns me off big time.
I don't think that Vets recommend Hill's so they can take home big profits. I know some doctors R in it for the money but not all R that way. Perhaps they hold had a lot of success beside it. I have had 2 dogs on it since birth(one iz almost 6 & 1 iz 3 yrs. 8 mo.)and they hold been healthy. This iz just my view.
I think they're uninformed. Sadly there are masses of these. It seems like holistic vets are ahead of the activity when it comes to nutrition education although a few of the traditional ones are getting a clue.
They may still be good vets within other areas, but I've chosen to give up the convenience of a nearby vet who charges less for one who have furthered her education and is 1/2 hour away. I just don't want to hit and miss it. I want the best possible support for my cats.
I mean, you may get good service UNTIL your cat develops this condition or that, and consequently you're going to be SOL because all you'll hear is "feed this."
you have a accurate vet i have to cats who are on this diet.they were both at the vet last week and are surrounded by great health there teeth are good they are 6years behind the times and have had this diet from 6weeks old.would not revision to anything else.
I think they should educate themselves on animal nutrition better. Science Diet sucks.
He probably knows it to be what animals close to the best or is best for them, or he may own stock in the company.
First off - partially the answers here are incorrect!
Science Diet is the normal Hills cat food. It is NOT a prescription diet. There is Hills Science and Hills Prescription. The same with Royal Canin - there is a typical Royal Canin diet and a Royal Canin Prescription Diet. The normal diet you can get from specialty pet food shops, the prescription diet you can only procure from the vets.
A vet recommendation for Hills Science is a good guidance, compared to feeding your cat non-premium cat food like Purina or Whiskas, or anything else you can get from a supermarket. These foods are nonsense!
A vet recommendation for the Prescription version should be followed - as obviously within is a medical condition that needs to be treated. My cat is on a Royal Canin Prescription for prevention of Urinary Crystals diet - he has not had a comeback of crystals since he has been on it.
Premium dry cat foods (Hills, Royal Canin, Iams) tend to work out the same price or cheaper than other non-premium cat foods. This is because you dont inevitability to feed your cat very much as it is high element, high nutritional value. For example you would need to nurture your cat 1 cup of a supermarket cat food, compared to 1/3 cup of premium. So again, the vet recommendation is not about ripping you off by making you buy expensive cat food.
So deeply, if you are feeding your cat non-premium food then stop. Your vet is right. A premium dry cat food is the best cat food you can buy. Otherwise, you can cook your own cat food but formulate sure you get the right balance of meat, vitamins, minerals, and fundamental fats.
I've never be told to buy it, but I do and my dog loves it.
I believe they are extremely common. Selling food is huge in the vet business. That is how they trade name a chunk of their income.
Vets go to school for a decade and their nutritional education consists of more or less a week long if that. You do the math.
Self education is the most important entity you can ever do for yourself and your pet.
I have never fed a per Science diet, and adjectives my animals live much longer than estimated ages (I am talking into their late 20s).
As an animal/wildlife rehabilitation specialist, I would never reccomend an over/high priced food. Stick with the rudiments. Purina one or Pedigree. Even better, do what I do and supplement Purina one with HOME MADE pet food. Better for your pets.
