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Vet authorized diets are typically needed only when a pet has specific health issues, but learning about how they're different from "normal" foods can help you be a more well-rounded pet parent.
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Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I politely disagree with your Vet. I do not recommend over the counter urinary diets for cats who have been obstructed. It is a life threatening condition and not to mention expensive issue. I wouldn't risk a non-prescription diet. They are not comparable to the prescription options. I recommend, if your cat will eat it, an all canned food prescription urinary diet like Hill's c/d, Royal canin SO or Purina UR. Increase water intake where ever possible (adding water to the canned food, water fountains, etc). If you decide to go with an over the counter option then go with the lowest ash and do all canned food. I wish you the best!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
If you are buying the prescription diet directly from your vet I would recommend looking at an online pet pharmacy to see if they carry the food. Often times these places can offer bulk discounts to purchasing cans and may also have a lower price available than your vet can offer. Your vet can send in the prescription for you so that you can then purchases there. Some other brands such as Royal Canin, Eukanuba and Pro Plan also offer prescription urinary diets so if Science Diet is too expensive, you may want to price shop and see if the other prescriptions available would work.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Good question. Hill's A/D prescription diet is energy dense, has high digestibility, is low in fiber, and has a smooth texture. Other alternative over the counters would be just about any kitten food brand that is high quality (hill's science diet, evo, eukanuba or royal canin), or you can try the Iams Max Cal, which has higher calories and is somewhat palatable (varies from pet to pet). I hope this hleps you put on weight for Alex. Best of luck and take care!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
In cats with urinary irritation, wet food is preferable to help reduce urine concentration and flush out the bladder. I strongly recommend a urine exam in order to determine exactly what is going on and to guide the most appropriate treatment (infection/inflammation etc). A sample can be collected using special urine collection litter which does not absorb urine. Petco provide a home kit for detecting UTI which can help to monitor such conditions
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. You can try and switch to Royal Canin Urinary SO and see if this helps at all. There is dry and wet of this diet. It is a prescription diet so you will have to get a prescription from your veterinarian. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025