The short answer: What is sold as kidney supplements for cats is four different things: renal diets, phosphate binders, amino acid based supplements and herbal supplements. If the cat has a kidney diagnosis, it is the vet and the renal diet that carry the treatment. A herbal supplement such as NEPHTANNU is a complementary feed for older cats and replaces none of the others.
Why the blood test comes first
Chronic kidney disease is common in older cats, and in the early stages the cat can be completely free of symptoms.1 Evidensia describes how the cat rarely shows symptoms until the disease has progressed far.2 The signs owners usually notice are that the cat drinks more than normal, eats less and becomes tired.3
That means two things. You cannot tell by looking at the cat whether the kidneys are well. And a supplement can never answer that question for you. A blood and urine test at the vet can. If your older cat has not been tested in the past year, that is a better first step than anything you can order.
If the cat drinks and urinates more than before, book a vet appointment, do not buy a supplement.
The four types
| Type | What it is | When it is used | Who decides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renal diet | A complete food with adjusted levels of, among other things, phosphorus and protein | When the cat has a kidney diagnosis. Evidensia describes the food as the most important part of the treatment.2 | The vet |
| Phosphate binder | A powder mixed into the food that binds phosphorus in the gut | When the blood test shows that phosphorus needs to be kept down, often for cats that do not eat a renal diet | The vet, based on test results |
| Amino acid based supplements | Capsules with amino acids and peptides | Sold as support for kidney function in cats monitored by a vet | You, preferably together with the vet |
| Herbal supplements | Syrup or tablets with plant extracts | As a complementary feed for older cats, alongside food and check-ups | You, preferably together with the vet |
The first two are tools in a treatment. The last two are complementary feeds. None of the four replaces another, and a supplement cannot do the job of a renal diet.
Where NEPHTANNU belongs
NEPHTANNU is the fourth type. It is a syrup with seven herbs: guduchi, Boerhavia diffusa, shatavari, Bergenia ligulata, Crataeva nurvala, Hemidesmus indicus and nut grass. The herbs have a long history of traditional use. We are not aware of any clinical studies of this blend in cats, and we therefore do not claim that it slows or treats kidney disease.
What it is made for is to support normal kidney function in older animals. It suits you if you have an older cat, have done the tests and want to do something more alongside what the vet does.
What it costs per day
For a cat under 5 kg the dose is 1 to 2 ml once a day. A 200 ml bottle at 279 kr then lasts 100 to 200 days. That is between 1.40 and 2.79 kr per day.
| Dose per day | The bottle lasts | Cost per day |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ml | 200 days | 1.40 kr |
| 2 ml | 100 days | 2.79 kr |
Always compare supplements on cost per day and not on the price of the pack. A jar that costs half as much can be more expensive if it runs out in two weeks.
How to give syrup to a fussy cat
- Draw up the dose in a syringe without a needle so that you know the amount is right.
- Mix it into a tablespoon of wet food, not the whole portion. Then you can see that all of it is eaten.
- Give the small portion first, when the cat is hungry, and the rest of the food afterwards.
- Start with half the dose for the first few days if the cat is suspicious of new flavours.
- If the cat still refuses after a week, get in touch with us. That is one of the things the guarantee is for.
When to evaluate
Give the syrup daily for six weeks before you decide. Write down what you can actually see: appetite, weight and how the cat moves. Kidney values can only be measured by the vet, so let the next check-up decide that part. If you see no difference, our 42 day guarantee applies.
Frequently asked questions
Can I give NEPHTANNU instead of a renal diet?
No. A renal diet is part of a treatment prescribed by the vet. NEPHTANNU is a complementary feed and can be given alongside, after you have checked with the vet.
My cat already has a kidney diagnosis. Can I give it anyway?
Ask the vet first and bring the ingredient list. A cat under treatment should not be given anything new without the person monitoring the tests knowing about it.
From what age does a cat count as senior?
There is no sharp line, but many vets recommend regular health checks with blood tests from around seven to eight years of age. Ask your clinic what applies to your cat.
Does NEPHTANNU work for dogs?
Yes, there is a dosage for dogs too. For a dog over 15 kg the bottle lasts 10 to 20 days, so the cost per day is considerably higher than for a cat.
Read on
That was the short answer. If you have a question about your own cat, email info@herbiovet.se. We reply within one working day.
Sources
- FirstVet, Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats, vet reviewed, updated January 2024 (in Swedish).
- Evidensia, Kidney failure in cats, updated January 2024 (in Swedish).
- AniCura, Chronic kidney failure in cats (in Swedish).