Really interesting thread and something I feel passionate about. Over here in Italy, vets aren't so much in the pockets of the likes of Hill's, etc., but they're still clueless over nutrition. I could kick myself over my stupidity, but when my previous vet said that it was okay to feed a non-renal cat Hill's k/d, alongside the renal cat, I didn't give it a second thought in spite of it being wholly unsound advice. I wouldn't feed them Hill's k/d now if you paid me. The ingredients are cheap and nasty, and that makes me furious because they pretend to be the best. What's worse though is that they don't see the harm in feeding an exclusively dry diet. I had the following conversation with my vet last year, before she saw the light and now realises raw/wet is best. This in Italian

Me: Don't you think that the rise in feline renal failure is partly due to feeding an exclusively dry diet?
Vet: No, why?
Me: Well cats don't drink much in the wild and get their moisture mainly from their food. Eating dry food means they are in a constant state of dehydration, don't you think?
Vet: No. Their kidneys don't work like that and besides, they drink enough to compensate.

Now, she's doing a homoeopathic course, and guess what? All the tutors are pro-raw. She now comes to me for advice on raw-feeding and nutrition. Get that!!!

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Wendy, mum to:
Simba von Wurzbachtal, Turkish Van, born Austria, 5/9/10

RIP
Tarka, 1989 - 2008 my gentle Phileas Fogg
Bruno, 2008 - 2010 taken too soon my darling boy
Misi, 1993 - 25/3/2012 My brave, beautiful tabby