Hill's c/d Multicare Review: The Urinary Diet
A Hill's c/d Multicare Urinary Care review covering struvite dissolution, the 89 percent recurrence claim, why wet food matters for urinary disease and the vet authorisation requirement.
Clinically tested to lower recurrence of common urinary signs by 89 percent, which is an unusually specific claim.
The verdict: Urinary therapeutic diets have real evidence behind them, and Hill's publishes specific figures for c/d: struvite dissolution in as little as 7 days, averaging 27, and an 89 percent reduction in recurrence of common urinary signs. Buy it if your vet has diagnosed a urinary problem and prescribed it. Skip it if nobody has diagnosed anything, because urinary blockage in a male cat is a life threatening emergency and diet is not the first response to straining.
Hill's Prescription Diet Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care with Chicken dry cat food
~$72
A veterinary therapeutic dry diet formulated to support urinary health, clinically tested to lower recurrence of common urinary signs by 89 percent and to dissolve struvite stones in as little as 7 days.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Type | Veterinary therapeutic diet, requires veterinary authorisation |
|---|---|
| Recurrence | Clinically tested to lower recurrence of most common urinary signs by 89 percent per Hill's |
| Struvite | Dissolves struvite stones in as little as 7 days, average 27 days |
| Urine pH | Promotes desirable urine pH levels |
| Crystal risk | Formulated to reduce the risk of struvite and calcium oxalate crystals |
| Form | Dry kibble |
Specifications above come from Hill's published specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- The claims are specific and testable rather than vague, which is more than most pet food marketing manages.
- Addressing both struvite and calcium oxalate risk matters, because a diet that acidifies aggressively to prevent one can increase the other.
- Struvite dissolution by diet avoids surgery in appropriate cases, which is a substantial benefit to the cat.
- It is widely stocked, so a cat established on it is unlikely to face a supply gap.
Where it falls short
- It is dry food, and for urinary disease water intake is one of the most important variables. Wet food dilutes urine and increases the frequency of urination, both of which help.
- Not all urinary signs are stones or crystals. A large share of feline lower urinary tract disease is idiopathic cystitis, where stress and environment matter as much as diet.
- It needs veterinary authorisation, and correctly so: the right urinary diet depends on which type of stone or condition your cat actually has, and the wrong one can make things worse.
- It is a management diet, not a cure, and stopping it commonly means recurrence.
What owners report
Published owner reports frequently describe an end to repeated urinary episodes after starting c/d, which is what the recurrence figure would predict. Palatability reports are better than for renal diets, which is consistent with a less restricted formulation.
The recurring and important theme is that owners who added wet food or a fountain alongside describe better results than those relying on dry alone. That matches veterinary advice: dilution is a large part of urinary management, and the diet is one component rather than the whole of it.
Who it suits
- Cats with a diagnosed struvite problem or a history of recurrent urinary signs.
- Cats where a vet has prescribed a urinary diet as part of long term management.
- Households wanting to reduce the risk of another blockage episode, alongside everything else their vet advises.
Who should skip it
- Any cat without a diagnosis, since urinary signs need investigation not a shopping trip.
- Cats with a diagnosed condition where a different diet is indicated, which only testing can determine.
- Owners relying on diet alone rather than also increasing water intake.
Alternatives worth considering
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets DM Dietetic Management feline formula dry cat food
~$59
A diabetes management diet that Purina states also promotes a urinary environment unfavourable to struvite and calcium oxalate. Relevant when a cat has both conditions, which is not unusual in older cats.
Check price on AmazonPurina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements Hydra Care cat hydration supplement
~$30
Purina states it increases total liquid consumption compared with water alone, which supports urinary health by diluting urine. A sensible addition for a dry fed cat with a urinary history, after discussing it with your vet.
Check price on AmazonKeep reading
- Senior cat health
- Best water fountains for cats
- Dehydration in senior cats
- Hill's k/d wet food review
- Purina DM review
- Cat water intake chart
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Editor's Pick ยท Affiliate link
A Stainless Steel Fountain for a Senior Cat
Chronic kidney disease is the most common serious diagnosis in older cats, and moving water is the easiest way to raise daily intake. Stainless steel stays cleaner than plastic, which matters on a bowl that runs all day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is straining to urinate an emergency?
In a male cat, treat it as one. A blocked urethra is life threatening within hours and is one of the most common feline emergencies. Any cat straining, crying in the box, or producing nothing needs to be seen immediately. Do not wait to try a diet.
Does urinary food actually dissolve stones?
Hill's states c/d dissolves struvite stones in as little as 7 days with an average of 27. That applies to struvite specifically. Calcium oxalate stones do not dissolve with diet and generally need removal, which is why imaging and analysis come before diet selection.
Wet or dry urinary food?
Wet, where the cat will eat it, because dilute urine is protective and wet food substantially increases fluid intake. If your cat will only eat dry, feed the dry diet and work hard on water intake with fountains, added water in food and, where your vet agrees, hydration supplements.
What is idiopathic cystitis?
Lower urinary tract signs with no stones, crystals or infection found, which is a large share of cases in cats. Stress and environment play a major role, so litter box provision, resource competition and household changes matter as much as diet. This is one where a conversation with your vet about the whole environment is more useful than a food.
Can I stop the diet once the signs go away?
Ask your vet. c/d is a management diet, and recurrence after stopping is common, which is precisely what the 89 percent recurrence reduction figure is measuring. The decision depends on what was found and on how your cat has done since.
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