Across the country, many cats have special dietary needs due to advancing age, feline diabetes, kidney disease, and urinary tract issues. Humane societies and animal shelters often have a more difficult time placing these cats into their forever homes--some people are intimidated by the idea of taking on an animal that might need some extra help. But! As anyone who cares for a special feline like this can tell you--these cats are able to live long, full, happy lives when given the proper nutrition and care they need.  

Until recently, Purina's Friskies Special Diet and Senior Diet cat foods filled this need wonderfully. They are great foods with low carbohydrates (very important for felines, especially those with special needs) and the right nutrients to keep our furry friends healthy. Not to mention, cats love the flavors! Many pet owners sincerely enjoyed having this product on the market and we fed it to our cats daily. 

Lately, Purina decided to discontinue both Special Diet and Senior Diet from the Friskies line up. This leaves Purina customers and their loyal companions in a frustrating and dangerous position. Switch their pet's diets to a higher cost (and often lower quality) food? Feed a non-diet specific food and put their cat's health at risk? These are difficult choices. 

You may wonder what the real harm could be. Here's just one example: a male cat with untreated urinary crystals can develop a completely blocked urethra. This leaves him unable to urinate, in horrific pain, and at risk for death from a ruptured bladder in as little as 24 hours. The emergency life-saving treatment in this sad situation costs several hundred dollars. If the problem keeps reoccurring, the treatment becomes more drastic. A cat with continual urinary issues may have to undergo surgery to have their urethra widened. These outcomes can often be prevented with a simple dietary change to a food like Friskies Special Diet. It costs no more than a regular can of Friskies, and is priceless in the long term health of cats. 

Please let Purina know that we need them to keep making these great products to keep our cats healthy and happy. Also help us let everyone know that adopting a senior or special needs kitty is something within their reach when we have amazing tools like Friskies Senior and Special Diet to help us care for them!