As you may have already heard from your veterinarian, Hills® has just recently launched a new cat food called y/d™ that is designed to manage feline hyperthyroidism without pills (like methimazole) and at a lower initial cost than radioactive iodine therapy or surgery.  Learn more about Hyperthyroidism Diagnosis and Treatment.

According to the studies that Hills® has done, feeding the new y/d™ food will normalize the thyroid function of a hyperthyroid cat in three weeks.

I. How does y/d™ work?

Well, the thyroid gland uses iodine in the diet to make thyroid hormones. Most foods contain iodine that is either added to them or comes as a natural part of the ingredients in a diet. This new food has an extremely limited amount of iodine in it when compared with other diets. In fact, it has such a low level of iodine that the thyroid gland is unable to produce extra thyroid hormone. You have to be careful to feed only y/d™ – no treats or snacks or other foods. If your cat gets any treats or snacks, these might increase his iodine intake and cancel out the effects of the restricted iodine in y/d™.

Here’s what Hills® has to say about how it works:

II. Is y/d™ right for my cat?

Whether y/d™ is right for your cat or not is a decision that is best discussed between you and your veterinarian. Your vet knows your cat’s history, has looked at his or her lab work, and has examined your cat and is therefore the most qualified person to tell you whether or not y/d™ is right for your cat. That being said, there are some cases where y/d™ should not be used.