Company HQ
- Red Bay, Alabama
Parent company
Sourcing and Manufacturing
- United States
Type of food
PROS
- To our knowledge, Veterinary Select has never had a product recall
- Foods are nutritionally complete and balanced according to AAFCO standards
- Affordable
- All recipes are free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
CONS
- Some recipes contain plant-based protein
- Lower than average protein content
Veterinary Select Dog Food Review
Introduction
Veterinary Select is a niche brand of veterinarian-formulated dog foods for dogs with specific health conditions. In this review, we’ll cover their product lines, ingredients, recalls, reviews, and feeding guide.
Overview of Veterinary Select
Veterinary Select was launched in 2002 by pet food manufacturer Midwestern Pet Foods. Their recipes are designed by veterinary nutritionists and require a prescription or approval from a vet.
The goal is to offer therapeutic nutrition to support dogs with chronic illnesses like kidney disease, digestive issues, allergies, obesity, and more. Recipes can be customized to meet a dog’s needs.
Veterinary Select control the manufacturing from start to finish at their own facilities. They follow strict quality standards.
Pros of Veterinary Diets
There are good reasons vets may recommend specialty therapeutic diets:
- Tailored nutrition for certain health problems
- Strict quality control standards
- Often highly digestible for sensitive dogs
- Can improve clinical signs of some diseases
- Made in Veterinary Select’s own facilities
Cons of Veterinary Diets
Yet these potential downsides should be considered:
- Expensive compared to regular dog food
- Limited selection and flavors
- Dogs may dislike taste or texture
- Still possible for recalls
- May not solve all health issues
- Must get from vet clinic
So while veterinary diets serve a purpose, they aren’t necessary for every dog.
Veterinary Select Product Lines
Veterinary Select offers a range of therapeutic dry and canned foods, plus some supplements.
Dry Foods
There are over a dozen prescription dry food diets for conditions like:
- Kidney Health
- Joint Health
- Digestive Care
- Urinary Health
- Dermatology/Allergy
- Heart Care
- Hepatic Health
- Weight Control
These come in regular kibble form for dogs. There are also some baked treats.
Canned Foods
For picky eaters or extra hydration, Veterinary Select has prescription canned/wet foods to complement their dry recipes. These are available in stew, pâté, or sliced meat formulas.
Veterinary Therapeutic Diets
Beyond their regular product line, Veterinary Select can customize diets for unique health situations. These may contain specialized ingredients like prebiotics, antioxidants, hydrolyzed protein, MCT oil, etc. based on a dog’s needs.
Ingredient Analysis
Veterinary Select utilizes high quality ingredients tailored to each recipe’s nutrition goals.
Primary Meat/Fish Ingredients
Depending on the formula, Veterinary Select uses meat sources like:
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Lamb
- Salmon
- Trout
- Duck
- Pork
- Bison
- Venison
For dogs with allergies, they offer hydrolyzed protein diets utilizing highly digestible protein sources that shouldn’t trigger immune reactions.
Carbohydrate Sources
For carbohydrates, Veterinary Select includes:
- Brewers rice
- Oatmeal
- Barley
- Millet
- Brown rice
- Peas
Grain-free options are available using lentils, chickpeas, or sweet potatoes. There are also some low-carb and high-fiber recipes.
Supplemental Ingredients
Veterinary Select enhance their foods with various supplements like:
- Glucosamine
- Chondroitin
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Prebiotics
- Cranberry extract
- Yucca schidgera
- Vitamins/minerals
Extra nutrition is tailored to each formula’s therapeutic needs. No unnecessary additives are included.
Recall History
Like any pet food company, Veterinary Select has faced some quality control issues through the years.
FDA Inspections
In 2010, an FDA inspection found salmonella contamination at Veterinary Select’s manufacturing facility. Procedures were changed to improve safety protocols.
In 2015 and 2018, more FDA inspections uncovered problems with equipment maintenance and cleanliness issues. Veterinary Select corrected these violations.
Recalls
In Oct 2012, Veterinary Select recalled a single lot of their canned cat food due to low thiamine levels. No illnesses occurred.
Later in Dec 2012, some Veterinary Select canned dog foods were recalled for potential salmonella contamination. Again, no sick pets were reported.
While these incidents raise concerns, Veterinary Select addressed the problems responsibly. Their facilities now meet updated quality standards.
Veterinary Select Dog Food Reviews
Reviews are somewhat mixed, with praise for the tailored nutrition but some dogs disliking the taste.
Positive Feedback
- Vets recommend for dogs needing specialized diets
- Helps manage symptoms of certain health conditions
- Improved energy, digestion, skin, coat, etc.
- Canned food has high palatability for picky eaters
- Good customer service
Negative Feedback
- Expensive, especially for large dogs
- Some dogs resist the taste/smell
- Causes gas or digestion upset in some dogs
- Doesn’t resolve all health problems
- Bland flavor profile
Talk to your vet to see if a Veterinary Select therapeutic diet could benefit your dog. Be prepared to try a few recipes to find one your dog enjoys and tolerates.
Feeding Guide
Follow your veterinarian’s feeding directions since therapeutic diets have specialized guidelines.
Transitioning from Regular Dog Food
Slowly transition over 5-7 days by mixing in increasing amounts of the new food while decreasing the old. This allows your dog to adjust.
Feeding Amount Guidelines
Feed the daily quantity advised by your vet based on your dog’s size, condition, and activity level. Therapeutic diets often require precise calorie counts.
Storage and Handling
Discard any leftover wet food after each meal. Store unopened cans or dry food bags in a cool, dry place. Once open, keep canned food refrigerated and use dry food within 6 weeks.
Follow your vet’s guidance on when to transition back to a regular diet, if applicable. Never abruptly change your dog’s food without veterinary supervision.
Conclusion
Overall, Veterinary Select offers high-quality therapeutic dog food formulas to help manage certain medical conditions. While expensive and sometimes disliked by finicky dogs, they can provide sound nutrition under veterinary guidance. For dogs with chronic illnesses, these specialized diets are worth discussing with your vet. But they may not be necessary for every pup.
Brand Overview
Veterinary Select has the specific nutrition fit for your unique pet from Digestive Care, Weight Management, Skin Care, Joint Care, and Indoor Care. Each formula is made in family owned and operated facilities in the USA. They’ve been making pet food and treats for pets all over the world in these facilities since 1960.
How Much Does Veterinary Select Dog Food Cost
We’ve compared Veterinary Select dog food price to the other dog food brands in our database.
Veterinary Select Dry Dog Food Price Comparison
| Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per lb | $3.52 | $3.69 | -5% |
| Price per 100 kcal | $0.23 | $0.34 | -31% |
| Price per day | $0.14 | $0.20 | -30% |
Veterinary Select Dry Dog Food is priced below the average market price for dog food.
Veterinary Select Nutrient Profile Comparison
We’ve compared Veterinary Select dog food recipes nutrient profile to the other dog food brands in our database.
Dry Dog Food
| Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DM Protein | 21.21% | 30.01% | -29% |
| DM Fat | 11.74% | 15.86% | -26% |
| DM Fiber | 13.26% | 5.48% | +142% |
| DM Carb | 53.79% | 47.73% | +13% |
All of Veterinary Select dog food recipes meets AAFCO’s minimum requirements.
Recall History
The following list (if present) shows all dog food recalls related to Veterinary Select Dog Food Review since 2011. If no recalls are listed, no recall events have been reported.
Since 2011 Veterinary Select has never been recalled.
FAQs
Does Veterinary Select require a prescription?
Yes, a veterinary prescription or approval is required to purchase Veterinary Select’s therapeutic formulas.
Where is Veterinary Select pet food made?
All Veterinary Select formulas are manufactured at their own facilities in Kansas and South Dakota under strict quality control.
Does Veterinary Select test for allergens?
Yes, their recipes are tested to validate that any allergenic ingredients are below the reporting limits.
What kinds of veterinary diets does Veterinary Select offer?
They offer therapeutic diets for kidney disease, allergies, obesity, joints, digestion, urinary issues, liver problems, and more. Diets can also be customized.
What should I do if my dog won’t eat the Veterinary Select food?
Contact your veterinarian, as appetite loss can be a sign of a medical problem. Your vet may recommend trying a different therapeutic recipe.
