You should talk to your vet in more detail. However, I thought the kidneys didn't actually heal, and chronic kidney disease could progress slowly over many years. Does your cat exhibit any other symptoms (increased thirst etc.) or too early for that? In that case I wonder if it is too early for the kidney food. Wet/canned food is much better than dry, and hopefully your cat is one that doesn't mind drinking water. My cat will be 17 in about a month. Last summer we noticed him drinking more. Sure enough blood work shows early kidney disease. His blood pressure is good, he drinks well on his own (and he seems to be drinking progressively more), he still eats well, coat shiny, weight good and still has burst of crazy running around cat activity and play. Our vet said to keep him on canned food for the time being and monitor his bloodwork again in 6 months. We did try the food for kidney impaired cats to see if he would eat it (no problem, he has always been a good eater) but have not yet switched him to it. Our guy could probably use a tooth cleaning..........but nothing was too bad and the vet didn't think a good idea to put him through that at his current age.

Slightly elevated kidney levels are not typically considered to be a contraindication for anesthesia and dentistry. Veterinarians do not "receive kickbacks from companies for pushing their products." At most, your veterinarian will probably get a few dollars for each bag of food that they sell to you for your cat because they usually price it with a small markup, just like any other business would do. Yes, it's really only a few dollars. This small markup covers the costs of ordering, shipping, stocking, unbought food, etc. If you don't want to get food from your vet, you can order it from chewy.com or somewhere else. They mark up the food too, by the way. I doubt you will get any levels down, as another poster wrote. Canned food is the way to go with cats with kidney disease. Whether or not to use a kidney diet at this point is something your vet will be in the best position to advise you on.

Thanks to you both for taking the time to respond. Yes, I'll have more conversation with my vet but just thought I'd throw it out here. (BTW, I disagree that vets don't get kickbacks from pet food companies; I've been told different, particularly about Hills/Science Diet, by 2 friends who work for vets). And I do understand that vets/companies have to make a profit. That's just Business 101.

However, even if vets do get a kickback, I'll feed whatever is best for my cat. And, in general, I'm not a dry food fan; I much prefer feeding canned based upon lots of things. So, thanks for reinforcing that.

Suzieque

The prescription foods come canned as well as dry. Completely agree, wet food is better even for healthy pets.

Exactly what sort of kickbacks do you think veterinarians are getting from Hill's (or any other company)? You do realize that kickbacks are regarded as unethical (by basically everyone, including veterinarians) and they are illegal in many states? So, when you accuse veterinarians of taking kickbacks, you are, in essence, calling all the members of an entire profession unethical (and, specifically, calling your veterinarian unethical, when you have zero proof)? Have you asked your veterinarian about this? If not, why not? Or, do you just have so little trust in his/her ethics that you assume the worst? If so, why take your pet to someone you don't trust and who you think lacks ethics?

Oh, jeez, veggiegardnr. why the intensity and vitriol? Are you a bit sensitive for some reason? I didn't call all vets unethical nor did I say anything about an entire profession. Why so sensitive? My info is solid. However, I have trust in my vet and he has trust in me as a knowledgeable, informed pet owner. We partner for the good of my pets. And yes, I maintain what I said about them getting kickbacks because of direct info as I've said. Perhaps not all but it is common practice. And yes, they admit it but counter it with their belief that it's good food for the animals.

I'm not a newbie or ignorant pet owner; I'm informed and aware. Are you always bristly? Why? Have YOU asked your vet about the food they stock and sell? Have YOU spoken with vet employees? Do YOU trust everything your vet says or do you inform yourself otherwise and speak intelligently and in partnership with your vet as I do?

Thanks to everyone else. I'm gone.

The fact that you have now, when called on your behavior, elected to attack me personally is very telling. You have zero proof of the claims you are making. You claim to have direct information, but something someone told you about what they think that someone else is doing is anything but direct information. I even have my doubts that you (or your "friend") actually even know the definition of a kickback.

Basically, you're spreading unsubstantiated rumours, for which you have zero evidence, that disparage veterinarians (in general, and your veterinarian, specifically) and you don't even have the courtesy to discuss, with your veterinarian, the fact that you think he or she is engaging in the (unethical and potentially illegal) practice of taking kickbacks.

It also occurs to me that your statements/accusations (as written in this thread) that the Hill's corporation, specifically, is giving kickbacks (again, unethical and potentially illegal behavior), are something that might actually be considered libelous.

Susieque, regarding the food and your kitty, the truth is that most standard care vets are not well versed when it comes to nutrutional foods for the animals they treat. It’s just not a part of their cirriculum in school. Those specialty foods may be prescription only but there is literally nothing in them medication wise to warrant they be prescription only. If you look at the ingredients, they are very similar to most other inexpensive brands. There are lots of articles about pet foods that claim those foods are just a way for the food industry to charge more for their products, I tend to agree. My dog was on Science Diet for tummy issues and it made her ill and incontinent. After that, I did a ton of research about pet foods and found a good food for her on my own. I will never ever use those foods again or suggest anyone else use them either. They also have a healthy recall record.

If it were me, I would probably find a Vet who specializes in kidney care and schedule a consult. Your regular Vet may actually have someone she/he can refer you too. I know in humans, animal proteins are very hard on our kidneys, but I’m not sure if that is the case with kitties. I’m hoping though that the specialist will be able to educate you on what kind of diet would be best for your kitty so you can find something out there that is better than Science Diet or Royal Canine. IMO they’re no better than Purina.