Ask the Veterinarian/c/d food content

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Expert: - 12/18/2009


Question
Hello, I wish to know the WHY of why c/d food is prescription only, through a vet.  It is clearly high-quality food that I expect to pay more for, but I don't understand what is so dangerous/controlled/?? about it that the price must be further inflated by making it available only through a vet.

Further, I have 3 cats, all about 8.5 y/o, all from Humane Society, all 'fixed' when they were under 3 months (by the HS, before I got them).  One is a male, and he is the one who had crystals and needs the c/d diet.  Should I be concerned about the others eating the c/d (I use Hill's brand)?  If so, why?

Thank you!

Answer
The food you buy from the vet, including the prescription diets, is actually cheaper than what the pet stores inflate it up to. Most vets only charge the recommended 33% for a food but the pet stores tack on 50% or more. I worked at one for 10 months and saw them do this to their Science Diet and all foods over and over.

C/D and other Hill's brand prescription foods are sold only through a vet because they are prescribed for a certain medical condition. These foods are formulated for this condition and some of them are not meant for life-long use. Hill's has put over 50 years of veterinary research into these foods and that is why they are different then the so-called urinary tract foods on the shelf.

Now we have had many cats from multi-cat households eat the C/D along with the cat with the medical problem with no ill effects. The good thing about C/D is that it is so concentrated that they require very little food daily after a while and owners get away with putting out about 3/4 cup a day for all of them and they are happy. This saves you a bundle of money in the long run. I used to feed K/D to prevent kidney disease to my two cats when only one was old enough to really need it. He lived to be 19 and she to 15 so it must have worked well.

I wouldn't worry about them all eating it but if you feel it's too expensive then buy the girls the Senior Longevity diet and if HE gets into that he should be okay also.

But believe me, if you could buy C/D elsewhere it would cost at least one half times more than what you pay now!!

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

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Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

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Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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