Do cats actually need prescription cat food?

Asked By: Mozelle Fong

Date created: Tue, Jul 12, 2022 23:49 PM

Date updated: Sun, Apr 28, 2024 22:54 PM

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Best answer to the question «Do cats actually need prescription cat food?»

Answered by Danyelle Simon on Wed, Jul 13, 2022 4:24 AM

Many cats do not need the prescription diet and can simply eat wet food. Some cats do have urinary problems that can't be solved through normal means, though, and need the prescription diet. If you want to try a wet food diet, you can test the urine pH with urinary test strips. They are available at Amazon or in the aquarium section of the pet store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Those who are looking for an answer to the question «Do cats actually need prescription cat food?» often ask the following questions:

😻 What is the best cat food for my Cat?

– There is no hard and fast answer to this question because the best cat food for your cat might not be the best option for another cat. Generally speaking, wet food is higher in protein and moisture content and lower in carbohydrates. The best canned cat food often has a shorter list of ingredients compared to dry cat foods as well.

😻 What is a prescription diet for cats?

They’re food. Quoting the FDA/CVM Communications Staff Deputy Director: “‘Prescription diet’ is an industry-coined term and holds no legal meaning.” In many cases, prescription foods are perfect for the condition for which they’re marketed. Some prescription cat foods, however, are no better than the average food sold on a grocery store shelf.

😻 Is there a difference between premium and prescription cat food?

Premium commercial cat food provides all the nutrition a healthy cat needs, in most cases. Prescription diets, infused with theraputic ingredients, are advisable for treating specific conditions. Prescription pet foods are available only through your vet's office and only on his recommendation.

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We've handpicked 21 related questions for you, similar to «Do cats actually need prescription cat food?» so you can surely find the answer!

Do I need a prescription for low-protein cat food?

All cats require plenty of digestible, highly bioavailable protein in their diet. Do I need a prescription for low-protein cat food? Not necessarily.

What makes prescription cat food different?

Because that food requires a prescription from your vet, it's reasonable to think you're buying medically necessary, pure, high-quality active ingredients to make your pet well. What you're actually getting may be a hard pill to swallow. “There is no medicine in prescription pet foods.

Do I have to give my cat prescription food?

The reason for this is often the fact that prescription foods are higher in price, but it is also just not something many pet owners think of unless it becomes a necessity. There is no need to give your cat food that requires a prescription without an actual health-related reason, such as a disease.

What is the best low sodium cat food?

Among the best low sodium cat food it offers is Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Cat Food as mentioned earlier. Obviously, you’d need a prescription to use this food. If you don’t have one, you can check out our favorite nonprescription k/d cat food alternatives on the market.

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Is Hills prescription diet good for dogs and cats?

Additional Info: Hills Prescription Diet a/d is a complete and balanced food that provides all the nutrition dogs and cats need. Please consult your veterinarian for further information on how our Prescription Diet foods can help your pet to continue to enjoy a happy and active life.

Is a prescription cat diet worth it?

A prescription diet is not guaranteed to help your cat or even do anything that an ordinary food wouldn’t. Prescription cat food is expensive, but usually contains cheapskate ingredients like animal and plant by-products. Let’s go into a little more depth on why prescription food isn’t worth it.

Do you need a prescription for Hills CD cat food?

Hill's nutritionists & veterinarians developed Prescription Diet c/d Multicare clinical nutrition specially formulated to support a cat's urinary health. In fact, c/d Multicare is clinically tested nutrition to lower the recurrence rate of the most common urinary signs by 89%.

Do prescription cat food diets really work?

While some prescription foods offer therapeutic benefits unmatched by ordinary foods—think Hill’s y/d hyperthyroid diet—others don’t. A prescription diet is not guaranteed to help your cat or even do anything that an ordinary food wouldn’t.

Can I give my Cat an iodine restricted diet?

If your veterinarian recommends an iodine-restricted diet for your cat, you may need to feed him a prescription diet. The only product currently available on Chewy is Hill’s Prescription Diet y/d Thyroid Care which comes in both a dry food and a canned food recipe.

What is Hill's Prescription Diet A/D?

Hill's Prescription Diet a/d Canine/Feline is a complete and balanced food that provides all the nutrition dogs and cats need. Please consult your veterinarian for further information on how our Hill's Prescription Diet foods can help your pet to continue to enjoy a happy and active life. Proud to have helped 11 million shelter pets

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Is prescription cat food worth it?

Prescription cat food is expensive, but usually contains cheapskate ingredients like animal and plant by-products. Let’s go into a little more depth on why prescription food isn’t worth it. The “prescription diet” or “veterinary diet” label is not overseen by any regulatory agency.

Do you need a prescription to clean your cat’s eyes?

If your cat doesn’t need a prescription and your vet gives you the green light to clean their eyes at home, you’ll need a few key supplies, a game plan, and maybe a scratch-proof suit.

Do cats need separate food bowls?

Separate cat bowls may be a necessity if you feed your cats different foods. One cat may be on a prescription diet, a life-stage food (such as kitten or senior), or have medication mixed into their food, while your other cat eats a different type of food.

Is there enough protein in hills prescription diet cat food?

Cats are carnivores and need protein to retain optimal health. Unless the diet cat food meets this basic requirement, your cat's protein intake will fall short. Hills Prescription diet cat foods list brewers rice, corn gluten meal and chicken by-products as the first three ingredients.

Do Oriental Shorthair cats need special care?

Oriental Shorthair cats usually do better on good quality, high in protein diets. Dry cat food is usually less expensive than wet. If your Oriental Shorthair needs prescription cat food, that will be an added cost as well. Oriental Shorthairs usually don’t require professional grooming.

What is the best prescription diet for cats with thyroid problems?

Hill’s Prescription Diet y/d Thyroid Care canned cat food is a commonly prescribed food that fits the above parameters. It’s also available in a dry food version— Hill's Prescription Diet y/d Thyroid Care Original dry cat food.

Should you feed your cat a prescription diet for hyperthyroidism?

Should You Feed Your Cat A Prescription Diet For Hyperthyroidism? Hill’s Prescription Diet y/d is the leading prescription cat food for hyperthyroidism. This food is extremely low in iodine, containing less than 0.32 ppm iodine on a dry matter basis.

Does my cat really need prescription food?

Although they are marketed as medicine and need veterinary approval to be fed to your pet, there is nothing in them that cannot be found in other, better diets that need no medical approval whatsoever. Like many aspects of the pet food industry, veterinary therapeutic diets are entirely a marketing gimmick.

Do I need a prescription diet for my dog or cat?

If your dog or cat is going to need a gastrointestinal diet for a prolonged time, a prescription diet from your vet is recommended. That way, you know all of your pet’s nutritional needs will be met.

Are there any problems with prescription cat food?

There are three big problems with prescription cat food. People assume that because a food is called a prescription diet or veterinary diet, it’s passed some rigorous testing and the label has been validated by a third party organization. Not so.

Can I give my Cat prescription cat food for urinary care?

My vet had me switch my cats diet to prescription cat food for urinary care but she won’t eat her dry food after mixing it with the urinary care dry food but is eating the wet food for urinary care. If she is eating the prescription canned diet, that's fine.

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