Scat Experts - Prescription C/d

Hmmm... our vet diagnosed our elderly cat with a similar problem (UTIs and reduced kidney function) and told us to get Hills prescription c/d at the pet store. It's $1.59 a can at Petsmart, slightly less if you order online, but I don't think you'll save much versus getting from the vet.

The vet also told us that some of the higher quality wet foods might also work. The brands were Natural Balance, Simply Nourish and Soulistic. You can save a bit with these brands, especially if you buy when they're on sale. We have had good luck with Natural Balance Duck & Green Pea canned food for our cat.

The wet food you get at the supermarket isn't the same. It's not jsut that the cvat needs extra liquid. The crystals that form in his bladder and cause the infections are mostly magnesium. C/D is made with very little magnesium. The wet food you buy in the store is much higher in mnagnesium, especially if it is fish-based.

I would be more inclined to say mix wet and dry and add water to that as well. If a rx diet is needed I would stay with it or you could have expensive vet bills from a blocked cat and that lead to kidney problems quickly. My parents cat is on c/d, but he can have the dry. I have cats on another urinary rx food. I do add water and cosequin, to the one cats bowl.They can help change ph so the crystals so not form, very important since the crystals can get stuck. Talk to your vet again about mixing dry with additional water or soaking the dry before feeding. Good luck to you, I know cats and urinary problems are no fun to deal with.

Stick with the c/d - it really is not the same as the so-called "urinary tract" diets sold that the grocery store. However, I would wonder if it would really be that big a deal to do the dry c/d as well. We do like the canned for the extra water to keep them "flushed out" but I also have owners who feed the dry with no issues. Or you could do a little bit of both. A lot of cats like those pet water fountain-type bowls as well for water.

Just TELL your Vet that due to the cost, you can't afford to keep buying this food brand. So ask him/her, about alternatives.
Just tell the Vet.
I can't imagine, that this is the ONLY brand, that can be used.

Gee that is expensive cat food.

Keep with what the vet said (and check on-line for the same food, but perhaps lower prices). I had a cat with liver/weight problems and had to force feed him with a syringe. Regular cat food won't have the nutrients that your cat needs. It's like going to your doctor and he gives YOU a prescription, and you decide for yourself the cheaper/better option.
Is your cat neutered?

There is no over the counter store bought canned cat food that is going to be the same as c/d. It is a prescription food for a reason. It has undergone FDA studies to prove it helps with urinary issues in cats. You may be able to find food that says it supports the urinary system but it will not be the same. You may be able to add supplements in order to get the same results but typically the amount of money you spend on food and supplements would equal the cost of the c/d. There are other prescription urinary diets out there that work very well but if he does well on the c/d then I wouldn't recommend that you change his food.