Understanding Alternatives to Prescription Vet Dog Food

An Honest Guide from Peaks Family Pets, Squamish’s Pet food shop

As your local pet food shop we have a pulse on the ever-changing world of pet food.  A trend that we have seen over the past year is the growing concern of pet owners who are trying to balance their dog’s health with the rising cost of veterinary prescription dog food.  We are most often ask “is there an alternative to prescription vet dog food?”

A customer’s dog is showing concerning symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea or excessive itching.    They go to their vet and they get prescribed probiotics, extensive testing and eventually put on a veterinary prescription diet.  We have seen many customers that have had to switch their dog or cat to a veterinary prescription diet and cringe when they must pay over $150 for a bag of dog food.  Living in the Sea-to-Sky corridor is expensive enough and it feels as though our cost of living here in Squamish has got to be one of the highest in the province. I am writing this to bring awareness that there are lower cost alternatives to the premium cost of prescription vet dog foods.

If you’re searching for dog food alternatives in Squamish, or wondering whether there are affordable dog food options in the Sea-to-Sky, this guide is for you.

Important note:

This article is for educational purposes only.  It is meant to be a conversation starter and to get you to talk to your local pet store associates that can help guide you through alternative options.  This does not replace veterinary advice.  In some cases it is important to seek veterinary advice especially if your pet has a verified medical condition, but what we want to stress is ask questions, ask about the risks and once you have the answers come to your local pet store and see how we can get you the exact food your vet recommends for your pet, but maybe not that those high prices.  Always consult your vet before changing your dog’s diet, especially for one with a diagnosed medical condition.

Understand What Prescription Dog Food Is Designed to Do Before You Start Looking at Alternatives

Lets’ talk first about when you do need Prescription Vet food.  A Veterinary prescription dog food is formulated to support dogs with specific medical conditions.  If you dog has a verified condition such as kidney or liver failure or urinary crystals then stick with the prescription vet diet. Your dog needs this food. These diets along with your dogs medication are formulated to provide the right PH levels in the case of urinary issues or fat/protein levels in the case of kidney or liver failure.   Bottom line, if you dog’s condition can only be prevented by vet food then you have no other choice but to stay on the food.

For example, if you dog or cat has urinary crystals then you need a prescription vet food diet.  One of the most important features of urinary vet food is that it helps control urine pH (how acidic or alkaline the urine is).

• Struvite stones form in more alkaline urine
• Calcium oxalate stones form more easily in acidic urine

Prescription diets are designed to:

• Dissolve certain types of stones (like struvite)
• Create a urine environment that discourages new stones from forming

This level of pH control is difficult to achieve consistently with non-prescription foods.

We cannot stress that if your dog has a verified medical condition then its probably best for your pet to remain on the prescription pet food.  For dogs with serious or ongoing medical conditions, prescription diets remain an important part of care. Many veterinarians in Squamish and the Sea-to-Sky region rely on these diets to manage complex cases.

If you really feel differently ask the vet what the risk is if you seek alternatives to prescription vet dog food and always ask the vet for the exact % of protein, fat and fibre and ingredient contents and other markers in the guaranteed analysis of the food.

As an example, say your dog has pancreatitis.  They will often say that the fat % needs to be under 9% or less as why?  In the case of pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas is triggered by foods high in fat.  So these dogs needs to stick to low fat foods.  Do you necessarily need a low fat vet blend?  Probably not in this case, he just needs food that has a low fat percentage.  The key is what is the fat % target.   Once you are armed with this information bring it into the shop and we will be more than happy to help you find a food that fits the criteria.

Why Prescription Dog Food Is So Expensive

Many dog owners assume prescription food costs more because it uses better ingredients, but that’s not always the case. Prescription dog food pricing often reflects:

• Expensive clinical research and feeding trials
• Limited availability through veterinary clinics
• Brand, marketing and distribution costs
• Specialized nutrient formulations

In some cases, a simple high-quality alternative to prescription vet dog food available in Squamish pet stores  might be the rigth medicine.  A good food can offer similar nutritional benefits at a more manageable price.

Royal Canin Vs Square Pet

For example, many dogs that have sensitive gatsro intestinal tracts are put on Royal Canin Hydrolyzed protein vet food for $72 for a 3.5kg bag.  The star of this diet — hydrolyzed soy protein — means the protein molecules are broken down into tiny pieces that the dog’s immune system generally doesn’t recognize as allergens. That’s why it’s commonly used for dogs with food sensitivities or intolerances.  But dogs need animal protein.

SquarePet VFS Skin & Digestive Support formula has been designed by vet professionals to support food sensitivities/ingredient intolerances.   We like it because it has formula for dogs that is a unique, limited ingredient, hydrolyzed pork protein dog food.

When Dog Food Alternatives May Be Worth Discussing

At Peaks Family Pets Squamish, we often suggest asking your vet about alternatives if your dog:

• Has mild food sensitivities rather than severe allergies
• Experiences occasional digestive upset
• Was placed on prescription food as a short-term trial
• Is currently stable, but long-term costs are a concern
• Will do well on food that meets all the protein, fat, fibre, sodium and other key ingredients that the vet has deemed important

Dogs with kidney disease, recurring urinary crystals, or advanced medical conditions should not transition off prescription food without direct veterinary guidance.

Non-Prescription Dog Food Options Popular in Squamish & Sea-to-Sky

Limited-Ingredient Dog Food

Limited-ingredient diets are popular with Squamish dog owners dealing with mild skin issues or sensitive stomachs. Fewer ingredients mean fewer potential triggers.  Conveniently many of the major brands of pet food carry a regular line and then an alternative  Limited Ingredient Line.  Don’t get scared by the fancy description, Limited Ingredient just means that there is usually one protein and less complex blend of veggies and supplements in the food.  Which is super handy if you are tying to avoid the most common allergens such as chicken and beef.  Some of the top sellers at Peaks Family Pets are:

Go! Sensitivies LID Grain Free Salmon

Acana Singles Lamb and Apple 

Zignature LID Kangaroo GF

First Mate LID Salmon Wet Dog Food

Novel Protein Dog Food

Proteins like duck, venison, lamb, or fish are commonly recommended as alternatives proteins  to prescription allergy diets. These can work well for dogs who don’t tolerate chicken or beef.  The idea is that the dog has not built up an intolerance to these proteins they have never encountered before.  Chicken and beef are the two most commonly used proteins in foods and treats.   Novel proteins are often found in limited ingredients recipes or also found in a raw food diet.  These proteins are good options to try as they are relatively not too much more priced over chicken.  If you do need more unique proteins there are even more novel, novel proteins such as kangaroo, venison, elk, bison, quail, rabbit and goat formulas in kibble.

Functional Dog Food

A new trend is the introduction of functional dog food lines in premium brands.  Open Farm, Go! and Oven Baked to name a few, have recently come up with new formulated foods that support digestion, skin health, or weight management, dental and urinary concerns.  This is refreshing as these brands are premium brand foods that do not contain fillers, by products and are protein forward formulas.  AND they are designed often with a vet team to address the very reason why your dog has been prescribed a veterinary formula.  Most of these functional lines are more affordable than prescription vet blend or they offer a better ingredient panel versus the veterinary counterpart.

Raw, Fresh, Gently Cooked & Freeze-Dried Dog Food

Raw, Fresh and freeze-dried dog food is increasingly popular across the Sea-to-Sky corridor. These diets can be easier to digest and highly palatable, especially for picky eaters. They are the closest to a unprocessed food that you can get as they have undergone very little exposure to heat and manipulation.  If you have the budget for it this this is  great way to go if you are exploring an elimination diet or need to avoid certain ingredients.

For more information on a raw diet check out our blog here.

How to Read Dog Food Labels Like a Local Pro

When shopping for dog food in Squamish, don’t rely on the front of the bag. Instead, check:

• First ingredient: A clearly named animal protein
• Non Proteins:  If you see corn, corn protein, brewers rice or soy protein in the list where are they? If they are before the animal protein maybe ask more questions.
• Guaranteed analysis: Do you know how much protein and fat are in your dog food?
• AAFCO statement: Confirms nutritional completeness
• Ingredient clarity: Avoid vague terms like “animal by-product”

Marketing terms like “premium,” “holistic,” or “vet-recommended” aren’t regulated — ingredient quality matters most.

Transitioning Your Dog Off Prescription Food Safely

If your vet supports trying an alternative dog food, transition slowly:

• Days 1–3: 75% old food / 25% new
• Days 4–6: 50% / 50%
• Days 7–9: 25% / 75%
• Day 10: 100% new food

Monitor stool quality, skin, energy, and appetite. If issues return, stop the transition and consult your vet.

Working With Squamish Veterinarians as a Team

We always encourage dog owners to work with their vet. Helpful questions include:

• “Are there non-prescription dog food options with similar nutrition goals?”
• “Would a limited-ingredient or novel protein diet work for my dog?”
• “Can we monitor symptoms while trialing another food?”
• “What are the risks if we don’t go with a vet prescription diet?”

Our vets here are our neighbours and community members and care deeply about Squamish dogs.   Many dogs thrive with a collaborative approach between local veterinarians and experienced pet store staff in Squamish.

Final Thoughts from Peaks Family Pets

Prescription dog food plays an important role in canine health — but it isn’t always the only responsible option. For some dogs, an alternative food to prescription vet dog food  can offer effective, affordable support. But this route is a bit more involved. You need to take the time and understand what makes up the prescription diet.   We at Peaks are here to help. We have said it numerous times.  Give us the food profile and we will research the dickens out of it and find the best alternative.  We learn ourselves by doing this and thank you for letting us come along side your pet’s journey.

If you’re looking for trusted dog food advice in Squamish, we’re always happy to help. Stop by Peaks Family Pets, ask questions, and let’s find the best solution for your dog — together.