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Cat Food/Alternatives to Prescription Diet C/D for cats?

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Expert: Michelle Rossi - 6/6/2007


Question
My mate and I adopted a couple of cats this past year. Of course, we managed to get one who is special needs. She has a tendency to contract UTIs and has had crystals before that went untreated, so now she has to stay on low-ash low-magnesium(?) foods. I cannot, however, manage to convince my mate that there are other foods aside from Hill's Prescription Diet C/D Dry that we can turn to! He just won't listen, because our vet (who is PAID by Hill's to sell their products!!!) says that our cat cannot be on ANY other foods, because she will never do better on any other diet.
Long story short, I don't believe her bull. I want other opinions. Professional opinions and personal experiences.

I would like either a short list of the best food for a cat with this problem to eat that would also be alright for another cat to eat (who does not have UTI problems), or an explanation as to -why- I should just give up and feed dry C/D from Hill's.

Answer
Hi Larthan,

You are quite keen. There is no substantial evidence proving that altering ash or magnesium levels has a significant impact on the long term treatment of FLUTD's. The ONLY proven therapy is the simple act of increasing the hydration levels of the food itself, thus helping to eliminate chronic dehydration in the cat. A meat based canned or raw diet is your best option.
Dr. Lisa and Dr. Tom Lonsdale are two vets whom I recommend reading dietary research by:
http://catinfo.org/
http://www.rawmeatybones.com/

A great book on general cat health and care is by Michelle Bernard, Raising Cats Naturally:
http://www.blakkatz.com/raisingcatsnaturally.html

All of the researchers above are approachable and will respond to emails, so don't hesitate to contact any of them if you have questions. =)

Here is interesting info about the nation wide Hills Co. campaign. If you click on the "news" links of each region, you will find out about local events and programs that are sponsored by Hills Co:
http://usrmb.net/regions.html
If you would like more references to the Hills involvement in the AVMA, contact the website moderator Judy Rivers. She is very personable and will go out of her way to be of assistance. Shes got a heart of gold and truly cares about animal health and welfare. Here is her contact e-mail:
unitedstatesrawmeatybones@yahoo.com

If you have time and want to learn more about raw feeding, this is a great group of folks at the yahoo raw meaty bones group:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/RawMeatyBones/
There are at least four veterinarians at this group and hundreds of pet owners of various backgrounds.

If you need anymore resources (ammunition) to back your position, feel free to ask. Theres plenty of it out there!

Kind regards,
Michelle
http://usrmb.net/

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Michelle Rossi

Expertise

My area of research is in regards to feline diet and digestive physiology as well as history of domestication and how it applies to dietary adaptation in Felis catus.

Experience

In total, between my own pet cats and the ones Ive taken in/ re-homed as rescues, I have fed a total of over 95 cats and kittens a natural, raw diet. I have a cumulative of 7 years worth of experience, from feeding a partly prey and partly processed food diet to a completely prey (home bred quail, young home bred chickens, captive bred feeder rodents/ rabbits) and raw meaty bones diet (chicken neck bones and wings), which I currently feed. I have assisted numerous people in formulating a raw diet which is suited for their animals and their lifestyle.

Education/Credentials
Biology degree with an emphasis in Ag and animal husbandry related courses. I have worked in veterinary medicine and am currently completing my RVT certification. I was accepted into a veterinary medicine program, but due to unforeseen life changes, I am currently unable to begin vet school.
Please consider that I am not a veterinarian, nor do I play on on TV. ;-) I will offer advice to the limit of my own knowledge and when in doubt of my own qualifications to address specific issues, I will refer to you a medical professional who is more suited.

For a good book about carnivore diet, I recommend "Raw Meaty Bones Promote Health," by Dr. Tom Lonsdale DVM
Here are Dr. Londales suggestions for feeding cats and dogs:
http://www.rawmeatybones.com/diet/exp-diet-guide.pdf


Here is a partial list of veterinarians who are supportive of natural feeding:
Lisa A. Pierson, DVM DrPierson@catinfo.org

Dr. Tom Lonsdale DVM tom@rawmeatybones.com

Christine Barrett, DVM (530) 346-9460

Larry Bernstein, VMD, PcHom (305) 652-5372

Diana Bochenski, DVM (805) 688-2334

Stephen Blake, DVM (858) 566-3588

Larry Bruk, DVM (415) 381-0723

Stephanie Chalmers, DVM (707) 538-4643

Siri Dayton, DVM 415-694-0986

Jeff Feinman, DVM 203) 222-7979

Barbara Fishelson, DVM (707) 964-8020

Cecille O'Brien Greenleaf, VMD (650) 533-0074

Kirsten Williams, DVM BS 510-530-1373

Ella Bittel, DVM (805) 688-2707

Molly Rice DVM, CVA 650-355-2810

Jim Codington, DVM (415)897-8380

Cynthia Easton, DVM (650) 325-5671

Carol Jean Tillman, DVM (925) 938-8010

Anne Reed, DVM (510) 557-0640

Stanley Goldfarb, DVM, BA (415) 892-4077

Jack Long, DVM 707-887-2261

Signe Beebe, DVM CVA (916) 454-1825

Rachael Feigenbaum, VMD (650)359-6471

Katy Sommers, DVM (707) 462-8833

Jennifer Yamamoto, DVM (925) 934-8042

Shelby Riddle, DVM BA Dale Olm, DVM 707-745-1135

Pamela Bouchard, DVM Todd Czarnecki, DVM (415) 454-4994

Lisa Pesch, DVM Anne Reed, DVM (707) 823-1491

Sarah Green, DVM CVA (707) 822-8387

Walt McCall, DVM (408) 378-5190

Sara Skiwski, DVM 408-265-4503

Sue Buxton, DVM Nicole Canon, DVM (707) 823-3250

Margo Hogan, DVM (510) 656-1852

Jennifer Scarlett, DVM (415) 552-1969

Erin Campbell, DVM (408) 248-3844

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