Cat Food Question- Help a Newbie out

Hi there, I just adopted a cat from the Animal Welfare Association and I have a question about food. After the latest recall I have done a lot of research regarding my Golden Retriever's food, and, just because there's a large price tag, doesn't mean it's quality. Up until now I was feeding her Eukunuba, but after researching and finding a site on Iams lab testing cruelty, I am making the switch to Eagle Pack Holistic. Now, all well and good for the puppy.

Now, my new little buddy, Max, was as I said from the AWA. The Vet that he was being housed at said they figure him at 3 years old. He is neutered and I, of course, bought him the food he was on at the vets. Now, I know a little about dog food, but I am pretty clueless as to cat food. He is currently on Hill's Prescription Diet c/d and it is a preventative urinary tract disorder food. I was just wondering if this is a good food to keep him on. Oh, and if anybody could suggest or recommend a brand or two of treats for him, I would appreciate it immensely. Thanks folks! Oh, and here's a picture of the little guy if anyone wants to see him!

One of my male cats goes off/on Hill's script c/d but I don't use that as the standard diet. Grayboy had prior utis with struvite crystals and I use the Hill's as a precautionary measure.

But I also use the canned c/d version (the extra hydration helps with urinary issues).

I don't like to stay on Hill's because I prefer the ingredients in many of the other natural diets, such as Natural Balance and Chicken Soup for Cat Lover's Soul.

Merrick and Felidae get great reviews as well. But most higher premium cat foods are designed to cover overall health benefits. Usually is the 'rack grocery store' brands that you must be wary of.

Now sometimes these higher animal based protein foods can be a dramatic switch so a gradual change over is recommended. Maybe blend a little old and new food, and increase as you go. SOme cats actually don't like it but it's worth a try.

Basically you want to read your labels. Watch for magnesium *especially,* ash and phosporous content (keep them at lower levels). Male cats are especially prone to urinary tract issues, as they have a 'bottleneck' shape in their urethra which allows for crystal buildup. Females have a much wider opening. Higher alkaline pH (over 6.5) can result in struvite formation. So it's all relative to the urine pH. When Max has general check ups, or if you are concerned at any point, the vet will do a urinalysis to check.

Some folks like Purina One Urinary Tract diet, which you can get just about anywhere, for half the cost of others. I have no specific issues against it, I just prefer some of the even higher end brands, especially after this pet food travesty. My cats just seem to do better/ go crazy over the more animal - protein based foods.

I change it up, to be honest, because my cats get super bored. So I have a full arsenal of cat foods in the pantry

One of the best things you can do for a cat with urinary history is to push water drinking. Make sure your new guy has plenty of water intake--and somewhere 'safe' from your Golden, hehe!

And watch his litter habits--any signs of straining while trying to urinate or sudden impoper elimation (on beds, corners, etc) are signs he is having repeat issues. He will let you know for the most part, but the earlier you know the better! I tend to be a bit crazy about knowing my 5 cats' habits, that way I can zoom in on anything out of the ordinary and know who is suspect.

I dont' offer a lot of treats so I am not the best to ask about that. I randomly do hairball treats and dental care treats (Greenies are great!).


Max is gorgeous! Almost British Shorthair/silver tabby looking?....I love that silvery stripe look! Sorry, once again I wrote a novella. Ack!

Wow he is a pretty silvertabby !

It's a good idea for all kitties to feed at least part of their diet in wet form , but for a cat that's prone to struvite crystals (I guess that's why they had him on c/d ?) it's even more important. So if he likes wet food, that would be nice.

Cats handle vegetables/grains in their food less well than dogs do, so when you select a food (dry or wet) try to look for as much meat as possible.

"Thanks to continued pressure from PETA and compassionate people around the world, Iams has stopped using baby chicks in crude protein-digestibility experiments. The company is currently in the process of validating a non-animal test method called “IDEA” that it says should be ready by the end of 2006." -http://www.iamscruelty.com/iams-feat-sweetchicks.asp

I got that article from an animal rights website. Apparently they are making a comeback. Some of my pets eat Iams (dry NOT WET) and they are really healthy. Good luck!

I don't like any of the Science Diet foods. I'm feeding Royal Canin - Its one of the better ones over SD or Iams now. You might also try the Chicken Soup ones.

Nutros Max cat ( tested and verified to help UTI health)

Royal canins speciall 33

Pro plan and Purina one unirinary formulas ( tested and verified to help UTI health)


Ask the vet about these ... If it is crystals which type

Hmmm, well I have a history from the vet that doesn't mention any prior problems, so I don't think he has. I believe he was on it just for prevention. I picked up a sample package of eagle pack holistic duck meal and a pack of felidae as well. I just let him try a little eagle pack and he snapped it up pretty quick so it appears he likes that. I grabbed him a can of the eagle holistic wet food as well but I wont give him that until tomorrow. Thank you for your help everyone!

Originally Posted by gilmour

Hmmm, well I have a history from the vet that doesn't mention any prior problems, so I don't think he has.

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If he's had no prior problems, I wouldn't think twice about trying to find him something that's of a higher quality than the Hill's food. Hill's food in general isn't exactly premium quality, and prescription diets in general are usually made with a lot of fillers as well.

The positives of finding a good overall food will probably far outweigh any benefit you're getting from the prescription food.

He's a beautiful silver tabby!

As far as the food goes, I don't think taking him off the c/d is a good idea unless the vet feels he can come off of it. With these Rx diets, the cat needs to be on them for a specified period of time or "forever" depending on the food and the condition being treated. If he's on it for urinary tract issues, has the vet determined the issue is completely resolved and switching foods won't re-trigger it?

One of mine was put on an Rx food for urinary tract issues, and he'll be on it likely the rest of his life. The chance for recurrence of those issues is very high if I switch him off of the food.

Originally Posted by angie8

As far as the food goes, I don't think taking him off the c/d is a good idea unless the vet feels he can come off of it. With these Rx diets, the cat needs to be on them for a specified period of time or "forever" depending on the food and the condition being treated. If he's on it for urinary tract issues, has the vet determined the issue is completely resolved and switching foods won't re-trigger it?

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The OP said the vet did not indicate there ever was a problem - just thought it was a preventative measure.

I agree with the others in that finding a better quality food would be a good choice. Also a wet food diet is much healthier for your kitty. We feed about 50-50 right now but I want to increase the wet ratio.