This is our review of the best substitutes to Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care in 2024.
Many dogs suffer from urinary health issues — including liver disease, kidney disease, and bladder stones. While some dogs are more prone than others, it can happen at any time, so vets recommend specific formulas.
You’ll need to switch to a low-protein food like Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care.
This recipe is low in calcium and phosphorus to avoid stones and crystals forming in the bladder. And it’s higher in fiber and fat to keep the digestive and urinary tract clear and reduce inflammation. on. Since you don’t want your dog’s urine pH to change, this is important.
But this food also includes grains, is higher in calories, and is top-quality — so you’ll pay a pretty penny for it. With our guide, you’ll find the best Hill’s cd dog food alternative formulas that can still fit the needs of your pup.
Our Top Picks
- Urinary Care Alternative – Hill’s Prescription Diet u/d Urinary Care Dry Dog Food
- Best for Picky Eaters – Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary Ox/St Wet Dog Food
- Best for Seniors – Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Urinary SO Aging 7+ Dry Dog Food
- Best Budget – Blue Buffalo Veterinary Diet W+U Weight Management + Urinary Care Dry Dog Food
- Best Non-Prescription – Forza10 Nutraceutic Active Kidney Renal Support Dry Dog Food
5 Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care Alternatives Reviewed
Here are our top picks for the best substitutes to Hill’s Science Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care dog food. They meet AAFCO’s nutrient requirements for dogs. Always consult with your vet before changing your dog’s diet.
1. Hill’s Prescription Diet u/d Urinary Care Dry Dog Food
No need to stray from a brand or company you love. If you prefer to use Hill’s Diet pet food, you can make the simple switch from the c/d formula to their u/d option.
Both choices promote desirable urine pH levels and support a healthy immune system. But some differences separate the two.
First, u/d Urinary Care doesn’t contain any real animal meat. Instead, it relies on pork fat and egg product to offer a low-protein dog food low in calcium and phosphorus. Keeping them meager is ideal since these two nutrients can cause stones.
U/d prescription dog food also uses soybean oil instead of the fish oil that the c/d formula uses. Soybean oil isn’t as high-quality. But it does contain omega-6 essential fatty acids to fight inflammation, prevent stones, and maintain healthy heart muscle function.
Both recipes include taurine, l-lysine, and l-carnitine. These aid in muscle recovery, heart health, and help balance minerals.
Hill’s u/d Urinary Care formula has lactic acid and dried beet pulp. Research shows that these promote a healthy immune system. And beet pulp contains antioxidants to control cell oxidation and aid urinary tract health.
Many dog owners note that their pup prefers the u/d flavor over c/d’s formula. And many notice that it’s perfect for preventative maintenance to avoid bladder stones.
But they also say that the kibble is small. So larger dogs could choke or wolf it down too fast.
Hill’s u/d is great to treat and prevent urate stones. It can form with dogs having liver problems, or in dalmatians, with enzyme defects.
2. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets UR Urinary Ox/St Wet Dog Food
Finicky pups don’t have many dog food options that support their urinary tract. But, Purina Pro Plan’s Veterinary Diets Urinary Ox/St wet dog food is a great solution.
It assists your dog’s dietary needs and helps reduce the risk of urinary stone formation. Plus, it’s got an excellent taste for the picky eaters.
Like Hill’s, Purina offers a grain-inclusive formula, so your pup won’t miss out on any vitamins and minerals.
But the ingredients differ. Hill’s includes whole-grain corn and gluten meal. Purina only includes rice and powdered cellulose. This plant fiber provides prebiotics for restoring flora in the urinary tract.
Since it’s wet food, Purina Pro Plan’s formula features a significant water supply. This contributes to total water intake.
Research shows that this helps your dog’s urinary tract by flushing out excess minerals. It also makes purifying waste and transporting urine to the bladder easier — preventing kidney stones.
Both formulas help dissolve existing sterile struvite crystals. And they help prevent new calcium oxalate crystals from forming in the future. But Hill’s is lower in proteins, so it may be better if your dog has kidney issues (like kidney disease) than Purina.
Picky pups prefer the canned food to the kibble, and their owners note that it keeps crystals from forming and helps them avoid surgery. But some note that it can be dry if they get an older batch, so it’s not great when stored long-term.
3. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Urinary SO Aging 7+ Dry Dog Food
Many senior dogs suffer from urinary disorders like liver disease, lack of bladder control, and bladder stones. One of the best ways to support them in their old age is switching to a diet that supports their urinary health.
Like Hill’s, Royal Canin’s Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Aging 7+ pet food helps dissolve and prevent pure struvite crystals. It also claims that it can help prevent calcium oxalate stones.
Unlike the c/d formula, it’s only for senior canines seven years or older. This recipe is not recommended for puppies or adult dogs under that age. It’s lower in fat and minerals that a growing furry friend needs.
Like Hill’s, this prescription dog food offers long-term urinary support. And it includes antioxidants from fish oil and dried tomato pomace. These support cognitive function and promote vitality while stimulating your dogs’ appetite.
Both formulas contain grains, and both use corn. When it comes to protein, c/d may be a better option for pet parents. Royal Canin offers chicken by-product meal. Some parents prefer to avoid by-products.
If you don’t like stinky food, you may want to avoid this alternative. But dog parents exclaim that it’s the only option that has kept their dog out of the vet clinic and that they eat happily.
4. Blue Buffalo Veterinary Diet W+U Weight Management + Urinary Care Dry Dog Food
Dog foods that require a vet’s approval can be expensive. If you’re looking for a budget option, you still have choices. Our favorite affordable dog food close to Hill’s c/d is Blue Buffalo Veterinary Diet Weight Management + Urinary Care.
This dry dog food offers urinary care formulated with the ideal calories and protein levels for weight loss. But it’s not the best option for dogs who need significant calories and protein. It’s focused more on overweight pups.
Like Hill’s, it contains an increased fiber level from pea fiber. This supports satiation for metabolic support and relieves stress on the bladder. Blue Buffalo also has controlled levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium to aid in proper urinary function.
This prescribed diet also contains cranberries — a unique ingredient that aids in urinary tract support. First, it helps your dog avoid urinary infections. And, it’s shown that it can also support kidney and liver function — keeping urinary problems at bay.
This is the only grain-free prescription dog food on our list, making it great for sensitive tummies. But if your canine needs grains or your vet recommends it, this isn’t the best choice.
Many dog owners admitted to switching to this food from the c/d formula. They say it’s better if your dog suffers from UTIs or urine issues versus calcium stones.
5. Forza10 Nutraceutic Active Kidney Renal Support Dry Dog Food
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a prescription dog food that helps your dog manage their urinary health.
Forza10 Nutraceutic Kidney Support is perfect for dogs with lower kidney function. And the limited ingredient diet also protects urinary and heart health.
Unlike Hill’s Science Diet, Forza10 focuses on two main potential problems — renal failure and cardiac issues. So it’s lower in protein, phosphorous, and sodium content. This helps lower the risk of kidney and bladder stones and helps avoid heart disease.
Forza10 doesn’t include additives like wheat, soy, by-product meals, GMOs, or artificial preservatives to avoid potential allergens. But it does include whole grains like rice. So while it differs from Hill’s, which has wheat, it does provide fiber and prebiotics.
Like Hill’s, Forza10’s formula offers a single-source and high-quality protein — hydrolyzed fish. So this is also an excellent choice for dogs with sensitivities.
And it includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from vegetable oil and fish oil — comparable to Hill’s. They support heart health, cognitive function, supple joints, and reduce inflammation that causes digestive issues.
Many pet owners love this food and say it’s perfect for multiple issues — from IBD to kidney problems. But some note that it has caused constipation from time to time.
How To Transition To A New Dog Food
Before switching your pup to a new food, keep in mind that you should do it over 5 to 7 days.
You’ll start by adding a small amount of alternative food to their current kibble. You’ll increase the amount of new food each meal until your pup eats the new food only.
If you notice any adverse reactions, slow down the transition. For some dogs, it can take up to two weeks. And, of course, consult with your vet before changing your dog’s food.
Our Verdict
Your dog can still live a long and healthy life with urinary problems. With the proper care and the ideal diet, you can keep expensive vet bills at bay and support your furry friend’s needs.
Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care is a great formula, but it’s not the only option.
Each dog food on this list can meet specific needs — including other diets without grains for dogs with allergies and a senior formula for aging pups.
As always, talk to your vet about how you can provide the best nutritional support for your dog’s urinary health.
