Royal Canin Prescription Diet March 2021 Update

Royal Canin Prescription Diet

March 2021

Advisory regarding continued reformulation of Royal Canin prescription diets and general information about transitioning pets to new diets.

Dear Clients:

Royal Canin, one of several pet prescription food manufacturers, continues the reformulation of its prescription diets. (Please refer to our Client Resources, Alerts section at burkeanimal.com for previous notices.) Most recently, it involves their “Vital Support” line, including canine cardiac, mobility and renal support, and feline renal support diets. For most of their canine foods in this Vital Support line, they recommend a 7-day transition from the old formula to the new one. For canines specifically on Renal Support D, E or T, they provide advisories due to phosphate or sodium increases in the new formulas. If your dog is on Royal Canin Renal Support D, E, or T, you may want to talk with one of our veterinarians. New formulas will likely be available sometime this month, March 2021. You will recognize them when you order or when your order arrives due to obvious changes in the packaging.

The changes in the Vital Support line of feline formulas are relatively benign, but pets can still benefit from a slow transition to the new formulas as noted below.

Our veterinarians recommend that any time you change a pet’s diet, whether it is a new food or a reformulation of the same brand, it should be done slowly over a 7 to 10-day period as follows:*

  1. Days l-3, feed your pet 75% of the old diet; 25% of the new or reformulated diet.
  2. Days 4-6, feed 50% of the old diet; 50% of the new or reformulated diet.
  3. Days 7-9, feed 25% of the old diet; 75% of the new or reformulated diet.

Thereafter, transition to 100% of the new diet if your pet is doing well.

If your pet experiences gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea, or any other abnormalities when changing to a new diet or reformulated food, please stop the new diet and call the clinic at 703-569-9600 for a doctor’s advice. Feel free to call with any questions about Royal Canin’s reformulations.

Thank you,

Burke Animal Clinic Veterinarians

*An exception to the slow transition would be if the veterinarian has recommended the soft bland diet (plain chicken and rice), which should begin without any transition period unless directed otherwise.