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Learn how to care for your dog, recommended diet and training. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on April 9th, 2026
Vet authorized diets are typically needed only when a pet has specific health issues, but learning about how they're different from "normal" foods can help you be a more well-rounded pet parent.
Updated on June 19th, 2026
Feeding your pet a quality food shouldn't break the bank. Use these tips to find the right diet, and price point, for your pet's meals.
Updated on June 19th, 2026
Discover how proactive pet care, from regular vet visits to specialized grooming, can support a healthier, happier life for your pet. Learn more about the growing focus on affordable and accessible preventative care at Petco.
Updated on June 19th, 2026

Discover how to choose the best supplements for your pet’s health, from essential vitamins to joint support and digestion aids. Learn age-specific and seasonal supplement tips for cats and dogs.
Updated on June 19th, 2026
Foods in the US need to be regulated under AAFCO standards to be complete and nutritionally balanced, so most foods will do a good job of making sure your pet stays healthy and happy. Specialist foods generally are designed to treat an issue, such as a food allergy or a health problem, and are beneficial for pets that need it. As for the prescription diets your vet sells, these are specially formulated to help treat a specific medical condition like a prescription medication would. They are prescription-only because of this, and sometimes cost a bit more because a lot more research and formulation (and sometimes unique ingredients) goes into them to make them able to treat a health condition. In many cases, your vet can send a prescription for this food to an online pet store or pharmacy so you can purchase the product cheaper.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. My top recommendations of veterinary diets include Hill's Science Diet, Purina, and Royal Canin. These are well-known brands that are stocked in veterinary hospitals, and are AAFCO formulated to be balanced and appropriate. I recommend avoiding grain-free, boutique diets from other brands, as these are not regulated and often are do not have balanced nutrients. I hope this is helpful!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
As far as dog food goes, I tend to recommend Hill's Science Diet or the higher end Purina products. If you are looking to go a more natural route you would want to try something like Earthborn or Acana. Periodontal disease can be delayed with regular teeth brushing if Ratchett will allow it. You should be able to purchase most of what I mentioned at one of those stores. Hope this makes sense.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
If you are buying the prescription diet directly from your vet I would recommend looking at an online pet pharmacy to see if they carry the food. Often times these places can offer bulk discounts to purchasing cans and may also have a lower price available than your vet can offer. Your vet can send in the prescription for you so that you can then purchases there. Some other brands such as Royal Canin, Eukanuba and Pro Plan also offer prescription urinary diets so if Science Diet is too expensive, you may want to price shop and see if the other prescriptions available would work.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
You can find a couple of over the counter foods in the following link that are adequate for urinary tract diseases but non of the non prescription diets are as good as the prescription diets and this is something you must understand: https://herepup.com/best-dog-food-for-urinary-health/
Updated on September 24th, 2025