This is my honest unpaid review of Royal Canin Urinary SO Calm cat food that I purchase from my vet out of pocket for approximately two years now. This I my personal experience with this cat food, so your/your cats experience may be different. This is a kind of long review…. This food is quite expensive however it is worth every penny because it saved my female cat with urinary issues. She developed crystals in her bladder which migrate can turn to bladder stones make it extremely difficult for her to urinate. Well, my vet said they’re unsure what causes these crystals to form (for each individual case). Sometimes it’s caused by them being nervous, sometimes from sudden changes in the home, sometimes due to their food. So we had had a sudden change AND she’s ... MoreThis is my honest unpaid review of Royal Canin Urinary SO Calm cat food that I purchase from my vet out of pocket for approximately two years now. This I my personal experience with this cat food, so your/your cats experience may be different. This is a kind of long review…. This food is quite expensive however it is worth every penny because it saved my female cat with urinary issues. She developed crystals in her bladder which migrate can turn to bladder stones make it extremely difficult for her to urinate. Well, my vet said they’re unsure what causes these crystals to form (for each individual case). Sometimes it’s caused by them being nervous, sometimes from sudden changes in the home, sometimes due to their food. So we had had a sudden change AND she’s naturally a nervous cat. So we tried shots once a week to help her bladder. We tried a medication that I hated to give her. We tried a cream that I had to put on the inside of her ear. None of these things helped hardly at all….meanwhile she’s still not urinating properly this whole time. I was frantic to help her. So we finally decided to change her food. I didn’t think that was going to help honestly. Vet said you have to completely change the food take out the old food because they will always choose the store bought food over the vet food because it has more carbs to it (probably tastes better too). And I have THREE inside cats that all have to eat this expensive food if I have to change it…..HOWEVER-as soon as I took up the old food started feeding the Royal Canin Urinary S.O. CALM she immediately started using the bathroom better!!! Like literally that week everything changed started going back to normal for her!! Reading the back of the bag of food explains why some cats have urinary issues…..because other cat foods have too many minerals added for some cats. Royal Canin has controlled levels of magnesium, calcium phosphorus! The vet said females usually have this problem more that if a male cat has this issue that it can be fatal very quickly because of their small urinary tube. So if you and your cat are struggling with urinary issues they are having pain while urinating and staying in the litter box a long time or urinating in odd places suddenly….talk to your vet about this brand of food. Post script: all of the other cats actually eat and seem to like this brand of food too. Even an outside teenage kitten I have that I let inside runs for that food bowl even though he eats the store bought food. He loves the Royal Canin too!!

Change in Formula?

My cat has been on this food since he had a blockage in 2015; we have never had an issue. I ordered the largest bag for my cat, and I noticed the color was different. Shortly after starting this bag, he started having diarrhea daily. I added a probiotic and a fiber supplement to help firm his stools; however, the moment I removed those options, he was back to the most god-awful-smelling diarrhea known to any nostrils worldwide.Since this had been going on for weeks, we went to the vet with our squishy stool sample for testing. 500 dollars in diagnostic testing didn't find any reason for his diarrhea. They said he was otherwise healthy, so we should continue with the probiotic and fiber. Once he is done with this bag of food, we are switching brands because I'm ... MoreMy cat has been on this food since he had a blockage in 2015; we have never had an issue. I ordered the largest bag for my cat, and I noticed the color was different. Shortly after starting this bag, he started having diarrhea daily. I added a probiotic and a fiber supplement to help firm his stools; however, the moment I removed those options, he was back to the most god-awful-smelling diarrhea known to any nostrils worldwide.Since this had been going on for weeks, we went to the vet with our squishy stool sample for testing. 500 dollars in diagnostic testing didn't find any reason for his diarrhea. They said he was otherwise healthy, so we should continue with the probiotic and fiber. Once he is done with this bag of food, we are switching brands because I'm concerned something other than the color has changed, and he is intolerant of whatever that change is. I would change him immediately, but after a pricey vet visit, your girl can't throw away $117 worth of RX cat food.

Good, expensive food that does its job as supposed.

I have five cats on this special diet due to urinary tract issues in three of them; they eat a humongous amount of this food, in proportion five times more than the old food (Acana Atlantic), which is giving me some headaches due to the high cost. However, it seems to have a good effect on them regarding their health issues, which are in regression - sediments slowly dissolving. They drink a lot more water, too, but I guess it's part of the process of cleaning up their systems. Also, despite eating like tigers, they are losing some weight, which is counterintuitive but really good. I don't give it five stars because the package I received was chewed by some critters in the upper corner, with teeth marks clearly visible - hence, it was open. My guess is that they ... MoreI have five cats on this special diet due to urinary tract issues in three of them; they eat a humongous amount of this food, in proportion five times more than the old food (Acana Atlantic), which is giving me some headaches due to the high cost. However, it seems to have a good effect on them regarding their health issues, which are in regression - sediments slowly dissolving. They drink a lot more water, too, but I guess it's part of the process of cleaning up their systems. Also, despite eating like tigers, they are losing some weight, which is counterintuitive but really good. I don't give it five stars because the package I received was chewed by some critters in the upper corner, with teeth marks clearly visible - hence, it was open. My guess is that they didn't make it into the bag, but still, for the price paid, I would've preferred a package with no damage or openings.

Helped our cat but please read my whole review.

We have always fed our cats quality food and they had beautiful coats and great energy. But Our one cat started having a leaky bladder at a young age and after a visit to the vet this food was recommended. Yes the food fixed the bladder issue but the switch in food had a huge impact on our ragamuffins hair and energy level.You just have to read the ingredients to realize this is very very very low quality cat food with somthing in it to fix the cats urine issues. But what always bothered me was THE PRICE OF THIS CAT FOOD for what the ingredients are.Well thank god another large cat food maker started selling there version in Walmart. At least there first ingredient is chicken, now I'm not saying this other food is great but our cats hair an energy levels ... MoreWe have always fed our cats quality food and they had beautiful coats and great energy. But Our one cat started having a leaky bladder at a young age and after a visit to the vet this food was recommended. Yes the food fixed the bladder issue but the switch in food had a huge impact on our ragamuffins hair and energy level.You just have to read the ingredients to realize this is very very very low quality cat food with somthing in it to fix the cats urine issues. But what always bothered me was THE PRICE OF THIS CAT FOOD for what the ingredients are.Well thank god another large cat food maker started selling there version in Walmart. At least there first ingredient is chicken, now I'm not saying this other food is great but our cats hair an energy levels increase and still NO BLADDER ISSUES. And its 1/3 the price.So my advice is do some research and don't get sucked into the vet only overpriced food game :)

Love it “so far so good”

So far so good 🐈‍⬛Kaya 🐈‍⬛ Leilani ~ Ages 3 yrs 4 months approx as of today 4/2/2024 I’m creating my profile today on this date. I have “2” female black cats, I guess you would call mixed breeds, rescues from the ASPCA black cats. “Kaya” is all Black (tiny tiny flecks of white here and there) and “Leilani“ is black/white tuxedo. They are from different litters. Sweet loving, cuddling girls.On January 1, 2024 after observing for just maybe two days I rushed Kaya to the emergency clinic. She had only tiny bits of urine, and those were bloody. The ER took bloodwork, no x-rays and put her on an antibiotic telling me see the bet the next day, so I did. Harris Hill Animal Hospital, Clarence, NY. They did a complete work up, bloodwork again urine analysis and x-rays and ... MoreSo far so good 🐈‍⬛Kaya 🐈‍⬛ Leilani ~ Ages 3 yrs 4 months approx as of today 4/2/2024 I’m creating my profile today on this date. I have “2” female black cats, I guess you would call mixed breeds, rescues from the ASPCA black cats. “Kaya” is all Black (tiny tiny flecks of white here and there) and “Leilani“ is black/white tuxedo. They are from different litters. Sweet loving, cuddling girls.On January 1, 2024 after observing for just maybe two days I rushed Kaya to the emergency clinic. She had only tiny bits of urine, and those were bloody. The ER took bloodwork, no x-rays and put her on an antibiotic telling me see the bet the next day, so I did. Harris Hill Animal Hospital, Clarence, NY. They did a complete work up, bloodwork again urine analysis and x-rays and they found 2 bladder stones I don’t know the centimeters or millimeters or whatever but one was bigger than the other. They gave me two options, start her and a urinary diet to see if they might shrink or disappear or do surgery. They explained that if they were Servite crystal stones, they could possibly dissolve if they were the other kind I can’t think of the name they would never dissolve, but there was no way to find out which they were without surgery. (I had the same issue with my previous tuxedo cat, did surgery (DIFFERENT VET)for $1200 and she showed me the stones afterwards they were huge. (She passed away)I won’t go into that because we’re not talking about that cat. Anyway, I opted for Kaya to start the urinary formula and try it. I would have done the surgery immediately. However, the antibiotics seem to clear up the blood and whatever other medication they gave to her. I don’t recall she seemed better again I would’ve opted for the surgery however, this estimate one year later of the other cat was between $4500 and $5300 on the high-end. I was shocked granted this vet was in a much. How can I say higher income area even though I was not the other Vet was in a lower income area because that’s where I got the original kitten but she was a nasty sort of a doctor I didn’t like her, so I switched to this Harris Hill because it’s around the corner from me. I love them, I did not love the price estimate of the surgery I could not do that. So it was a matter of try the food and see if it would work, we first started on Purina, The vet carried this, so you know how that goes. They get special signs and rubber mats for the floors and rubber mats for each examining table etc. etc. etc. with the Purina logo on it. Kickback from the company? I’m not sure but I guess that’s neither here or there it made them throw up) so I did this for both cats even though Leilani was perfectly healthy. She had the complete work up also. Well, within three or four days of weaning them off of ACANA I’m sure many of you know is a very high-end cat food. They proceeded to start to throw up this Purina. I called Chewey.com, they exchanged both the dry and the wet, the problem continued. When I opened the cans of the Purina, the food looked gray I mean gray, no red meat Appearance whatsoever. I asked the vet she said well you can change to either hills or Royal Canaan. I acted for Royal Canin Urinary SO , and have been very happy so far (as of 4/2/24). They were on the diet for about two months. I gave it to them both. It’s impossible to try and feed cats with different foods so they both were eating it and loving it. My problem is they’re not satisfied with the recommended about they cry. They did not do this on ACANA, they ate only what they were supposed to. So I find myself putting little snacks like two or three kibbles several times a day in their dish so now they know they’ve got me lol and it continues. However, I brought.Kaya back the first time, another x-ray, the stones seem to be of a lighter color, the vet thought they were probably/maybe dissolving. Continue the food another month bring her back the x-rays showed they are “gone“ no stones whatsoever that she can see again I talked with her about the surgery price and what I paid at the other Vet and I got the explanation well you know price have gone up since Covid blah blah blah. I told her if this doesn’t work I’m going to have to put her down so she said she would do a revision I asked can’t you give me some sort of a discount or go over this to see if maybe something might be different with this estimate so they did and what it ended up being was about $400 if we needed the high end so $400 off of five grand but what I would have to do is take her home the very same day as surgery no overnight day for observation and yes, a couple of other essential things so I repeated well if this doesn’t work we’re going to have to put her down. I cannot afford this so anyway back to right now today April 2, 2024. She is clear of stones happy as can be Leilani is also they both are eating the food. I just have a problem with this portion control. They get the dry in the morning and during the day and the wet, approximately 3/4 of a can split between the two of them. So far I am a happy camper with Royal Canin! The cost yeah it’s pricey $114 for a bag of dry I don’t know almost $38 give or take for 12 cans. They like the loaf which I am thankful for because it appears you can give a larger amount of food to satisfy them with the solid loaf further than the minced pieces in gravy even though I know there are 5.1 ounce cans. Thank you for listening I will change, this as we progress with an update. I just have to figure out this dry portion control so far they maintain their weight but it’s climbing out by out I think not sure hope this helps someone.

This food made my cat vomit!

Yes, it's delicious and my cat loves the taste, however each time she ate it she would vomit. Everyday we cleaned up cat vomit & sometimes accidentally stepped in vomit, not to mention how our cat suffered from this food. The vet recommended this food due to my cat's urinary problems. Come to find out Royal Canin supports veterinary office events and provides samples etc so that the vets will rep their product. When I asked questions about the nutritionally poor ingredients the vet became extremely defensive and irritated with me in an "extra" kind of way. That was a red flag! What a conflict of interest!! Research about Royal Canin online (YouTube etc.) educated me on what these ingredients actually are & how it can make our cats ill (now and later), make them ... MoreYes, it's delicious and my cat loves the taste, however each time she ate it she would vomit. Everyday we cleaned up cat vomit & sometimes accidentally stepped in vomit, not to mention how our cat suffered from this food. The vet recommended this food due to my cat's urinary problems. Come to find out Royal Canin supports veterinary office events and provides samples etc so that the vets will rep their product. When I asked questions about the nutritionally poor ingredients the vet became extremely defensive and irritated with me in an "extra" kind of way. That was a red flag! What a conflict of interest!! Research about Royal Canin online (YouTube etc.) educated me on what these ingredients actually are & how it can make our cats ill (now and later), make them suffer and shorten their life span. Royal Canin has had several recalls in the recent years. Why is that? And the ingredient formulas have been changed several times too. I don't want chicken by-products (feathers and beaks), corn products (likely GMO corn), powdered cellulose (sawdust), gluten (Sprayed with Carcinogenic Round-Up/ Glyphosate weed killer) and other unhealthy ingredients in my cat's food. I wasted so much money on unnecessary veterinary appointments & cat meds when all along it was this toxic food causing my cat to be ill and vomit daily. I want my cats to enjoy a long healthy life! For the sake of your cat/s, do your own research online & on You Tube and decide for yourself.

This keeps my cat free of crystals and UTIs

When she was about two years old, my cat started to get crystals in her urine, which would then turn into a UTI and she'd need antibiotics. If she stays on this food, she's fine. I took her off it once for 15 months, and tried a more upscale food which I thought would taste better and be more nutritious because it had better quality ingredients. This alternative brand said it was for maintaining urinary health, but it didn't work. The crystals came back and she started over-grooming her tummy from discomfort -- she was licking all her hair away. So we went back on this food. The moderate calorie version also helps control her weight, she's now 11.5 lbs instead of 14. She blew up to 14 lbs when I first put her on the Royal Canin Urinary SO regular version. The vet ... MoreWhen she was about two years old, my cat started to get crystals in her urine, which would then turn into a UTI and she'd need antibiotics. If she stays on this food, she's fine. I took her off it once for 15 months, and tried a more upscale food which I thought would taste better and be more nutritious because it had better quality ingredients. This alternative brand said it was for maintaining urinary health, but it didn't work. The crystals came back and she started over-grooming her tummy from discomfort -- she was licking all her hair away. So we went back on this food. The moderate calorie version also helps control her weight, she's now 11.5 lbs instead of 14. She blew up to 14 lbs when I first put her on the Royal Canin Urinary SO regular version. The vet said it can be more fattening, so we put her on the moderate calorie version and now she's a perfect weight. And she stopped over-grooming her tummy and all her hair came back, so it's a success story.

Vomiting

Older male cat started this food last year after a blockage; three male siblings also blocked several years ago have been eating it for a while. Yes, it has stopped the blockages. I believe our prior "premium" dry food, now discontinued, may have been the culprit. I was slow on the uptake. But this time there is a clear connection between the latest cat eating this food and then vomiting. Everywhere. A trip to the vet, a round of metronidazole, careful reintroduction of a different urinary tract food from the vet and we were okay again. Finished up that bag and started reintroducing the Royal Canin and we are back to voluminous puke, and one of the other boys threw up too. Three years ago there was apparently a formula change, and MANY reports of vomiting. Once I ... MoreOlder male cat started this food last year after a blockage; three male siblings also blocked several years ago have been eating it for a while. Yes, it has stopped the blockages. I believe our prior "premium" dry food, now discontinued, may have been the culprit. I was slow on the uptake. But this time there is a clear connection between the latest cat eating this food and then vomiting. Everywhere. A trip to the vet, a round of metronidazole, careful reintroduction of a different urinary tract food from the vet and we were okay again. Finished up that bag and started reintroducing the Royal Canin and we are back to voluminous puke, and one of the other boys threw up too. Three years ago there was apparently a formula change, and MANY reports of vomiting. Once I coax this boy through his problem we will be changing brands. My pet is sick and I'm stuck with a $102 bag of "prescription" food and even more $ in "prescription" canned that I don't want to use. As others have pointed out, if we want to avoid the (also) extortionate trip to the emergency clinic, we have no option but to use a "special" diet and be gouged.

Works but pricey

My cat has feline idiopathic cystitis. Her urine was very concentrated because of that, her bladder would get irritated. Whenever she would go to the litter box she would urinate a normal amount but even after she was done actually urinating she would stay in the squat position for 10 or so seconds and THEN cover it. It’s sort of like when someone has a UTI. They urinate and afterwards it feels like they still need to urinate but it’s only because their bladder is irritated and is simply making them feel that way.Since she got on this food 1 to 2 years ago it has greatly helped her. Gets her to drink more water which helps dilute her urine and she no longer squats for 10+ seconds after finishing peeing. It’s an absolute shame how Royal Canin continues to price ... MoreMy cat has feline idiopathic cystitis. Her urine was very concentrated because of that, her bladder would get irritated. Whenever she would go to the litter box she would urinate a normal amount but even after she was done actually urinating she would stay in the squat position for 10 or so seconds and THEN cover it. It’s sort of like when someone has a UTI. They urinate and afterwards it feels like they still need to urinate but it’s only because their bladder is irritated and is simply making them feel that way.Since she got on this food 1 to 2 years ago it has greatly helped her. Gets her to drink more water which helps dilute her urine and she no longer squats for 10+ seconds after finishing peeing. It’s an absolute shame how Royal Canin continues to price gouge this food. Both wet and dry. It’s one thing to pay $60, $70, or even $80 for a 17lb bag of Rx food, but $115+ is absurd. Stop corporate greed.