Cats on Hills with recurring UTIs

[schtuffy]

I know nothing about cats, so I'm asking this question for a friend. He has 2 cats, both male, who had recurring UTIs until they were put on a Hills prescription diet. My friend knows the diet is bad, and I've convinced him to switch his puppy to Orijen -- she is doing awesome. He is considering switching the cats to Orijen, but is reluctant because apparently the prescription diet keeps the UTIs at bay. Any food or supplement suggestions?

[RachelsaurusRexU]

Meat based grain free WET food and/or raw. If he could get a pet fountain that would likely help too.

[Caty M]

My cat had recurring UTIs, and went on Hills a few years ago.. I put him on Orijen and he has been on that plus raw and canned fish for 2 years now and has only had one. I keep antibiotics on hand for it since I know the signs.

[kady05]

Quite frankly, if I were him I wouldn't do anything. I have 3 cats and they are all on either Royal Canin SO or Science Diet C/D. While I hate the fact that I'm feeding them that, it's a heck of a lot cheaper than the vet bills I incurred from the UTI's (complete with struvite crystals), and my cats are happy and do well on the food.

I spent $800 on 2 of them back in August.. not really trying to do that again. The last time I switched my older cat off of his SO onto a grain free food, he almost completely blocked within a couple weeks and I almost lost him. $550 later, never again will I switch him.. he's been eating the SO for years and does very well, and no UTI's. It's just not something I'm willing to risk.

[Scarlett_O']

TOTALLY agree with the first 2 replies....cats should if at all possible be on raw, if not then premium canned is a 2nd best choice, lastly should be PREMIUM kibble....which of course the vet shizz is NOT!

[kady05]

TOTALLY agree with the first 2 replies....cats should if at all possible be on raw, if not then premium canned is a 2nd best choice, lastly should be PREMIUM kibble....which of course the vet shizz is NOT!

It may be considered "sh*t", but it works. I'd much rather have my cats happy and healthy on "sh*t" food than suffering and in pain from UTI's on high quality foods (which they were all on prior to going on the prescription diets).

[Scarlett_O']

It may be considered "shit", but it works. I'd much rather have my cats happy and healthy on "shit" food than suffering and in pain from UTI's on high quality foods (which they were all on prior to going on the prescription diets).

A natural diet would also work.

No way in HELL would my pet carnivores, either canine or feline be eating this shizz!!

First 7 ingredients in RC-SO"Chicken Meal, Brewers rice, corn gluten meal, corn, chicken fat, natural flavors, soy."
Or this one!
First 5 ingredients in SD-c/d"Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal, Pork Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Chicken Liver Flavor."

[cprcheetah]

Meat based grain free WET food and/or raw. If he could get a pet fountain that would likely help too.

Yep EXACTLY what is best for cats with UTI's Here is a site with LOADS of information on proper diet for UTI's and cats who build up crystals. Feline Urinary Tract Health: Cystitis, Urethral Obstruction, Urinary Tract Infection by Lisa A. Pierson, DVM :: cat urinary tract health

Quite frankly, if I were him I wouldn't do anything. I have 3 cats and they are all on either Royal Canin SO or Science Diet C/D. While I hate the fact that I'm feeding them that, it's a heck of a lot cheaper than the vet bills I incurred from the UTI's (complete with struvite crystals), and my cats are happy and do well on the food.

I spent $800 on 2 of them back in August.. not really trying to do that again. The last time I switched my older cat off of his SO onto a grain free food, he almost completely blocked within a couple weeks and I almost lost him. $550 later, never again will I switch him.. he's been eating the SO for years and does very well, and no UTI's. It's just not something I'm willing to risk.

I have 2 cats with chronic bladder issues, both of which had CHRONIC ISSUES while eating said Royal Canin Urinary SO. I have literally CURED them BOTH with feeding Prey Model Raw, before I fed them raw, I actually was feeding Special Kitty canned food from Walmart....I know horrid, but it worked, increasing MOISTURE in the diet is what needs to happen with cats with bladder issues, carbs/grains actually contribute to crystal formation.

[cprcheetah]

It may be considered "shit", but it works. I'd much rather have my cats happy and healthy on "shit" food than suffering and in pain from UTI's on high quality foods (which they were all on prior to going on the prescription diets).

I'm glad my cats no longer have to eat "shi#$%" food and I no longer have to pay the vet bills for taking them in every other month with bladder infections, and increased litter consumption because it has increased salt which makes them drink and pee more.....yeah that's a sure fire way to keep bladders from having problems....Since I switched my cats to canned only then onto raw diet, I have not had 1 bladder infection, and that's been almost 2 years ago. DeeJay was having bladder issues about every other month as she has Chronic Interstitial Cystitis, and having your cat pee on your bed while your sleeping in it IS NOT my idea of fun.;

[CorgiPaws]

RX diets do not work by solving the problem, rather they mask the symptom and from what I've seen... just cause more issues later.

I would get those cats on a diet with as much MOISTURE as possible. Urinary issues from cats on a kibble diet are common because of the lack of moisture. They do not have the thirst drive of most animals, because being obligate carnivores they are designed to get their moisture from their food.

Species appropriate ingredients are obviously important as well, they need MEAT. If there's no way these cats can be on raw, I would at least get them on canned food. I think that a slightly lower quality canned food would be even more beneficial to them than Orijen dry food....but of course ANYTHING is better than SD!