What’s actually in Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d for cats?
We analyzed Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care with Chicken dry cat food. Chicken at position one provides high-quality animal protein for an obligate carnivore. Whole grain corn at two, corn gluten meal at three, and whole grain wheat at four are the carbohydrate and plant protein sources. Brewers rice at five, chicken fat at six, and chicken meal at seven round out the top ingredients.
The urinary care magic happens in the mineral management: controlled levels of magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium reduce the building blocks of both struvite and calcium oxalate crystals. Potassium citrate helps maintain urine pH in the target range. Fish oil provides omega-3s that support bladder lining health. The formula also includes S+OXSHIELD technology, Hill’s proprietary approach to managing both crystal types simultaneously. Shop on Amazon →
The good stuff
Chicken as the first ingredient is essential for cats. Chicken meal at position seven adds concentrated animal protein. Egg product provides additional high-quality protein with an excellent amino acid profile. Fish oil and soybean oil provide essential fatty acids. The mineral balance is the core therapeutic feature — c/d is clinically shown to dissolve struvite stones in as little as 7 days and reduce recurrence of both struvite and calcium oxalate crystals.
Potassium citrate is a key functional ingredient — it alkalinizes urine to prevent calcium oxalate while the restricted magnesium prevents struvite. DL-Methionine helps acidify urine when needed. The dual-crystal management (both struvite and calcium oxalate) is a significant advantage over diets that only target one crystal type. Mixed tocopherols for natural preservation. Taurine supplementation supports heart and eye health.
The not-so-good stuff
Corn gluten meal at position three is a cheap plant protein that’s not ideal for obligate carnivores. Two forms of corn in the top three (whole grain corn and corn gluten meal) is heavy grain reliance. Pork flavor at position nine is a palatability enhancer with no nutritional value. No probiotics or prebiotics despite urinary health being closely linked to gut health in recent research.
No chelated minerals. The formula is relatively simple compared to k/d — no prebiotics, no betaine, no specialized amino acid profile beyond the basics. Soybean oil is a cheaper fat source than fish oil. The ingredient quality would score lower without the therapeutic context — this is essentially a standard grain-heavy Hill’s formula with precise mineral control layered on top.
How it compares
At B/76, Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d ties with the k/d Kidney Care Cat (B/76) and scores 16 points above the standard Hill’s Science Diet Cat (C/60). It’s 31 points above Royal Canin Cat (D/45).
See the full Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d vs Hill’s Science Diet (Cat) comparison for a detailed side-by-side breakdown.
Urinary issues are among the most common reasons cats visit the vet. If your cat has had struvite stones, calcium oxalate crystals, or recurrent urinary tract problems, c/d is the standard veterinary recommendation for a reason. Don’t switch to a higher-scoring food without vet approval — the wrong mineral balance can trigger another painful episode.
The bottom line
Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d earns a B grade (76/100) from KibbleIQ. The ingredient list is typical grain-heavy Hill’s, but the mineral engineering and crystal management technology are genuinely valuable. If your vet prescribed c/d for urinary issues, trust that recommendation — recurrent urinary obstruction in cats can be life-threatening, and c/d’s clinical track record is strong. Once your cat has been stable for an extended period, ask your vet if transitioning to a maintenance urinary health food is appropriate. Shop on Amazon →