I'm looking for an alternative to 'Hill's Prescription Diet S/D" cat food?

Question

My cat has cystals in his urinary tract and is taking 'Hill's Prescription Diet S/D' cat food for treatment. (FYI That cat food is low in phosphorus and magnesium.) I was wondering if there was another type that would be a good alternative. Maybe Hill's Science Diet?
I am not satisfied with the vet I had been taking him to, and will be changing vets, so I'd rather not ask them (which is where I got the food from.) I was wondering if any vets/vet techs. have any opinions about that food, or an alternative suggestion...
Thank you!

I am taking him to a vet... that is how I got his prescription food. I'm just looking for more information, because the vet I had been taking him to doesn't explain anything, and I ask questions because I want to do what's best for my cat. (which is why I'm changing vets.)I have two bowls of water out for him, he uses both, plus he likes to drink from the tap. I had kitty fountains and they quit working because they constantly were getting clogged, though I cleaned them daily. Cats are omnivors and I do grow kitty grass for him to eat... though I don't think that has anything to do with the crystals in his urinary tract. Prior to me giving him prescription fomula food, I was feeding him both can food and dry food for indoor cats, both by Purina.

Answer 1

You can buy Royal Canin (Waltham) Urinary formula. Or hill's c/d. Or Eucanuba Urinary. My cat has had similar problems. I found out that eating canned food (from the above mentioned special formulas) with some extra water helps. the more dilute the urine, the least crystals it forms. Also, many of the foods like Royal Canin light, or generally the foods for neutered males by Hill's or Royal Canin, usually adjust the urine PH so as not to form crystals. See the contents for DL-methionine, that adjusts the PH. However, these foods are good for maintenance, if there is an acute case which needs treatment, you's better use s/d, c/d, or Urinary.
Remember that the more water he drinks, the best. Give him with a syringe a little extra water if you can.
Also, you can buy urine reagent strips, or PH measuring paper strips, and measure his urine PH. It is easy, you just put the paper under his tail as he pees. Check that the urine PH is around 6. No less than 5 and no more than 7. So you will know if the food he is eating is working for him.

Answer 2

Science Diet Prescription Cat Food

Answer 3

Prescription Diet Cat Food

Answer 4

I am having the same problem with my cat. I am also unsatisfied with my vet! But here's what I have found...
I have been mixing the Hills S/D with Purina One Urinary Tract Health Formula. This makes the food taste better and seems to be as effective. I know other person who's cat had crystals and their vet recommended this food. My plan is to makes to feed the cat the mixture until my cat is doing better (his crystals cause him to have bloody urine) then switch to the Urinary Formula permanently. If you are feeding him S/D then your vet must think his urine is acidic, but in my research I found multiple types of crystals, and this food will not help other types. Hope this helps!!

Answer 5

the reason that S/D is usually prescribed is for animals (there is a formula for dogs and cats) that have large amounts of crystals in their urine (the crystals are called struvite). Normally the animals are on this for 4-6 weeks then the urine is rechecked to see if the crystals have decreased (in most animals they do in this amount of time-occasionally some need to be kept on longer). Then the vet will usually switch the animal on to another diet such as hill's c/d for maintenene. Hill's is not the only company that makes prescription diets (purina, waltham, royal canin ect have their own versions). these diets are specially formulated to have the proper balance of minerals and keep the urine pH at a proper level to prevent the crystal from returning. If your cat does have crystals or stones it is important to keep them on this diet and nothing else. Not only are crystals and stones painful and can lead to secondary infections but if you have a male cat he can develope a urinary blockage. Females can block to but because their anatomy is different it is not as common in them. Females have a short wide urethra, males have a long narrow one, so it is obstructed more easily. Obstruction in a male cat is a medical emergency than can cost tons of money to fix and your cat can die. But you should get another vet if you are not happy with the one you have now and discuss your concerns with them.

Answer 6

There are many foods out there that meet the same requirements. The vets sell that stuff for pure profit.
There was once a time that it was the only food available to meet the requirements to avoid "Feline Urological Syndrome" in cats. It was also found out that this was also caused by the high amount of "ash" fillers used in cheaper brand foods.
Almost all store brands have changed their content on the last 20 years to avoid this problem.
Bottom line, start reading labels and I am positive you will be able to find a store brand that closely matches your desired ingredients. Just watch the "REALLY' cheap ones.(like the dollar store stuff)
You will need to do just a little research. Read the label ion the Hill's can. Get the % content of the phosphorus and magnesium.

Answer 7

Cats need an all meat diet. They are obligate carnavoirs. I used to have my cats on Hills a long time ago and they both got sick. You will definitely need to keep your cat going to a vet until his urinary tract is normal again but I suggest a good all natural diet for it. Try Innova EVO which is one of the best out there for a wholesome complete diet for cats. There are no fillers, no grains and low carbs which is exactly what a cat needs. California Natural makes good cat food too and so does WySong and Natural Balance. I used to feed my cats the Innova Evo but my new kitty is alergic to chicken so now I feed them the Natural Balance Alergy Free Venison & Pea. They love it and they are both healthy with no urine or coat problems. It is uaually the fillers and ash content that makes the crystals in the urine. A good way to help flush your kitty out is to get the pet fountains that have the running water. Cats will drink more water from the fountain running than from a still bowl of water and that will keep their kidneys working better.

Answer 8

There are other urinary tract prescription brands available through vet clinics, such as Royal Canin and Purina. These prescription foods are not available in grocery stores. If you call around to different clinics, you will discover which brand they carry. If your cat has crystals, I strongly recommend feeding him canned food rather than dry.

Answer 9

Unfortunatly, many vets get their nutritional info from 'scientists' who work for food companies . Itg is very hard to find a vet who is up to date on nutrtion.
The thing is 'water! water! water!
Dry food is not the way to go as most of the moisture is zapped out of it during processing. Your cat canot drink enough to make up the difference and the system needs water and doesn't need the carbs that are in the food you are feeding. Canned foods w/o gravy would be best for your cat.
Stay away from fish flavors if you want lower phosphorus.
http://www.catinfo.org/
read this part in reference to your question. Scroll down to
Cystitis
http://www.catinfo.org/#Common_Feline_Health_Problems_and_Their_Ties_to_Diet_

Answer 10

You have be very careful when you switch prescription foods. Especially if your cat suffers from struvite crystal in the urine.THe S/D diet is specially formulated to disolve any crystals from forming. Take her another vet and they will prescripe either the same S.d. or another.. But it has to be prescription due to your pets needs. I hope this helps... Your new vet will most likely have to do a urinalysis and make sure her urine is free from crystals.