Science Diet Opinion?

gotpersian · Jan 21, 2005

Just curious to see who shares my opinion that Hill's Science Diet (SD) is a big scam.

I think that some vets recommend it because they cut a deal with SD people. 2 of my cats became sick to their stomachs when I tried it.

Then I read that the first two ingredients are corn products, and of the first five ingredients, three are corn. So I sent an email to the company asking them to explain how their product is superior when its main ingredient is corn (which is hard to digest, in fact), and why does it make my cats throw up? They sent be back the lamest, canned email that did nothing to answer my questions, all they did was insist that Science Diet is "proven", that it's the best, and quoted the statistics of how many vets recommend it. I replied that I was grateful that they gave me the final push I needed to not only swear off SD forever, but to pass on how terrible it is to everyone I know who owns a cat or dog. They didn't have anything to say to this, but GET THIS a couple of weeks later I get a coupon for a free bag of the SD that you can ONLY GET FROM YOUR VET. COINCIDENCE? I think not!

Any other opinions on this?

ktlynn · Jan 21, 2005

I'm with you. Too many people are misled into believing that SD is a quality food because it's sold by vets - after all, would your vet carry a food that isn't good for animals? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. I know that the prescription foods for specific conditions when used short term can be beneficial, but I'd never feed the maintenance formulas for the regular diet.
It's expensive food with inferior ingredients.

yosemite · Jan 21, 2005

I don't have a lot of faith in SD. My cat in fact will not eat it! I got some samples at a cat show and he turned his nose up at it and this is a cat that will eat pretty much anything you put in front of him - so go figure.

We feed Performatrim (from PetValu). The ingredients listed are awesome and we've been told by our vet that it is a superior food. The kitties agree.

I have the same concerns with sample medications that doctors are given and they in turn give them out to patients. I'm not always comfortable that I'm being given the best product for whatever my ailment is. Thank goodness I'm not prone to illnesses because I would seriously question all medication.

juniper · Jan 21, 2005

Yes, I fed this for years, because my vet recommended it as a high quality product - I was shocked when I was told by someone at a cat rescue (when I was looking to adopt this past summer before getting Phineas) that it's actually not a good quality food - after being told this I researched it, and couldn't believe it when I found out it was true - I find it so, so disappointing that a vet would recommend an inferior food for finacial reasons - but then again, maybe I shouldn't be, because in my experience I've found that a lot of vets are extremely money hungry.

ldg · Jan 21, 2005

There are definitely much higher quality foods out there. The issue with Hill's SD is that there are forumulations for specific problems, and they can be very difficult to obtain otherwise. One of our cats had such a sensitivity to food and such a delicate PH balance problem that we had to use "prescription" food - and the only manufacturer was SD. But it did stop him from getting UTIs every other week. One of our other cats has colitis, and Hill's Sensitive stomach also "cured" that problem. Royal Canin also makes a sensitive stomach formula that also works for our kitty with colitis. We combine SD and Royal Canin in varying amounts each week - simply for "variety" because that's all they get - there just aren't other dry food options that prevent the colitis and keep the correct PH balance in our other cat.

So while I do not appreciate Hill's marketing of "recommended by vets" and essentially paying them to recommend the product (healthy margins, I'm sure!), there are cases where Hills does provide a formulation - even though we may not be as pleased with the quality as we would like to be - that no one else has available on the market.

ldg · Jan 21, 2005

BTW - our research has turned up that at least around here, the highest quality foods just aren't available at the chain pet stores. We have to travel to the smaller, local stores to find things like Royal Canin. Before we discovered the colitis and PH balance problems in our kitties, we did a lot of research as we wanted to feed them the highest quality food - and we believed they deserved human grade quality food as well, not food made from the stuff you can't legally feed people.

Royal Canin, Wellness, Solid Gold, and Felidae were the highest quality foods we found available around here (northern NJ). NutroMax is OK, and Nutro's Nature Made is better. Both are high quality and more easily available than the others.

catlover7731 · Jan 21, 2005

My girl(the smart one

) wouldn't touch it, but my male liked it but threw it up, so I switched to a premium brand and I hate the fact that my vet pushes it. There is a holistic vet in my state( 1 hr ride) who does not push it, but it is so far to take my cats

. I also by premium cat foods at smaller pet stores. We are feeding as of now Innova dry and wet, solid gold for the female and are awaiting Active life to be sold again.

mikonu · Jan 21, 2005

From a somewhat personal experience, I would NOT recommend SD. There are brands out there with much better ingredients (i.e. Felidae, Innova, Active Life, Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul). I'm sure SD has worked for many pets. However, out of all the pet owner's I know, almost all of them have had bad experiences with it. Their vets even admitted that they only recommend SD because they are obligated to do so as they have a deal with SD.

When Sebastian was 4 years old (he was my brother's cat at the time), he developed strivute crystals. He was given Feline c/d for a day or two, and practically threw up everytime he ate it. The food only made things worse for him and he had to go back to the vet for an emergency visit because he developed a full blown UTI. He spent 2 weeks in emergency care, it was so sad to see him like that. Ever since then, my brother fed him Innova and he's been fine ever since. I would never want my boys to suffer the same thing as Sebastian so I try to feed them the best quality food I can and make sure they drink plenty of water. Oh, and the Sebastian's vet no longer carries SD products.

ctcat · Jan 21, 2005

I like to feed my cats a mixture of good quality foods. My oldest girl Bella, is fussy and absolutely in love with SD advanced nutrition Senior. I have to say for 15 years old, she looks and acts amazing. She has access to the other foods but insists on a handful of her SD a few times a day.

pat · Jan 21, 2005

I am not a fan of Hill's Science Diet...*except* there are times when their prescription foods may be the best approach for your ill pet. That experience will vary from pet to pet. I.e. there is at least one other list member whose cat had IBD and did not do well on Hill's Z/D, whereas my Joshua who has IBD, was saved by this food - all other avenues had been exhausted.

I would never discount trying one of their prescription foods, but I'd take a darn good look at what the product is supposed to be doing, and try to find a premium food, or homecooked recipe, that can do the same - first running that by my vet.

I have no problem with my vet prescribing prescription foods so long as they are open to hearing why I might choose not to do so...I agree that you got a lame response from the company re the ingredients in S/D!

scamperfarms · Jan 21, 2005

Originally Posted by GotPersian

Just curious to see who shares my opinion that Hill's Science Diet (SD) is a big scam.

I think that some vets recommend it because they cut a deal with SD people. 2 of my cats became sick to their stomachs when I tried it.

Then I read that the first two ingredients are corn products, and of the first five ingredients, three are corn. So I sent an email to the company asking them to explain how their product is superior when its main ingredient is corn (which is hard to digest, in fact), and why does it make my cats throw up? They sent be back the lamest, canned email that did nothing to answer my questions, all they did was insist that Science Diet is "proven", that it's the best, and quoted the statistics of how many vets recommend it. I replied that I was grateful that they gave me the final push I needed to not only swear off SD forever, but to pass on how terrible it is to everyone I know who owns a cat or dog. They didn't have anything to say to this, but GET THIS a couple of weeks later I get a coupon for a free bag of the SD that you can ONLY GET FROM YOUR VET. COINCIDENCE? I think not!

Any other opinions on this?

My cats wont touch it..nor will my dog...good enough reason for me to say BLA

gotpersian · Jan 24, 2005

Thanks for all your responses... most of you had cooler heads than I! I just hate when someone tries to take me for a ride. BTW my vet doesn't "recommend" or "push" SD but he does have a huge shelf with sample bags of all the different types. We now feed Nutro Nature's best and Max and all four kitties love it.

cman · Jan 24, 2005

So the question begs to be asked... What IS a good cat food that I can buy at say a PetSmart?

I've been feeding my cats SD for close to a year now and if it's not that good, what is? I remember reading a thread on the boards a while ago and I *thought* SD ranked up there pretty good (if I remember right).

~C

pat · Jan 24, 2005

Available at PetSmart - Nutromax Natural Choice Complete Care or their own brand, Authority, are both decent choices that I would take over SD non-prescription.

cman · Jan 24, 2005

Originally Posted by Pat & Alix

Available at PetSmart - Nutromax Natural Choice Complete Care or their own brand, Authority, are both decent choices that I would take over SD non-prescription.

Thanks, I'll look for them.

~C

mr_electrician · Jan 25, 2005

Have you know anyone that had there cats develope seizures from eating science diet c/d?

gotpersian · Jan 25, 2005

I forgot to mention that you can sign up on the Nutro website and receive $20 in coupons for their food. If you combine them with Petco/PetSmart sales, you can save a bundle.

hiwatt · Apr 5, 2005

about a month ago i switched from Royal Canin Kitten to Science Diet Regular Adult at my vet's prompting. She said her first choice would be the stuff they selll at the clinic called Medi-cal (made in Canada and certified by vets). after that she said she would only endorse Royal Canin or Science Diet. So i got the Science Diet which my 2 cats seemed to really enjoy. I noticed now though, that their coats are somewhat dry or flat. could this be a result of thier diet? also, i have noticed an increase in the quantity of litter box deposits. i consulted this forum once i had my doubts and sure enough i find most, if not all, of you agree that Science Diet is largely inadaquate, especially for a food that bills itself as "high-end". i wish i would have done my research before. i've learned a lot by reading the many posts on food here and also following some good links. anyhow, i've now gotten small bags of Eukanuba and Nutro Max Cat to let the cats decide which they will like.

myfirstragdoll · Apr 5, 2005

I've started using Chicken Soup For the Kitty lovers soul

consumerkitty · Apr 5, 2005

Originally Posted by hiwatt

anyhow, i've now gotten small bags of Eukanuba and Nutro Max Cat to let the cats decide which they will like.

Eukanuba and Iams are also hyped up poor nutrition at a high price. The ingredients include "by products" which are the parts left after the edible parts are removed (i.e. beaks, intestines, etc). It is no wonder people's cats throw up when they eat Science Diet, Iams, Eukanuba and the other brands with ingredients like by products, animal digest and "meat" (If the ingredients list meat, that could be anything-- rat, horse, cat, dog, etc.)

Science Diet Opinion?

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