Nutraren Dogs & Cats Capsules

Nutraren is Nutravet’s renal support supplement for cats and dogs. It is a soft gel capsule rather than a tablet, combining purified fish oil omega-3s, calcium from red seaweed, chitosan and natural vitamin E. The capsule can be given whole or pierced so the gel can be squeezed onto food, which is usually how a cat ends up taking it. Available in 45 and 90 capsule packs.

What Nutraren is actually for

The kidneys filter waste, balance fluid, help regulate blood pressure and keep phosphate and calcium in check. Nutraren is nutritional support for that ongoing workload. It is not a treatment for kidney disease, and it does not replace diagnosis, a renal diet, or the blood and urine monitoring your vet arranges.

• Supports healthy renal function, and long-term kidney health.
• Nutravet reports the chitosan helps bind toxins in the gut before they are absorbed.
• Antioxidant support from natural vitamin E.
• Nutravet states it helps maintain kidney architecture and supports normal blood pressure.
• Palatable soft gel capsule – give whole or squeeze the gel onto food.
• Developed by Nutravet for safe long-term use.

Key ingredients

• Omega-3s from purified fish oil – 207mg per capsule, of which 96mg EPA and 62mg DHA.
• Calcium from red seaweed – 32mg per capsule, from Lithothamnion calcareum, chosen for bioavailability.
• Chitosan – 50mg per capsule, derived from Icelandic shrimp shells, used as a gut toxin binder.
• Vitamin E (d-Alpha Tocopherol) – 10mg per capsule.
• Capsule shell – fish gelatin, free from mammalian gelatin.

A point on allergies: this formula contains both fish and a crustacean-derived ingredient, so it is unsuitable for pets with a known allergy to either.

How to use

Give once daily, dosed by bodyweight. The capsule can go in whole, or you can pierce it and squeeze the gel over a small portion of wet food.

Getting the dosing right

Nutravet’s published daily amounts are:

• Cats, 0-4.99kg: 1 capsule daily.
• Small and medium dogs, 5-9.99kg: 2 capsules daily.
• Small and medium dogs, 10-14.99kg: 3 capsules daily.
• Medium to large dogs, 15kg and over: 3 capsules daily, plus 1 extra capsule for every additional 5kg over 15kg.

Weigh your pet rather than estimating. Half a kilo genuinely changes the band for a cat or a small dog, and weight can drift in a pet being monitored for kidney changes, so re-check it periodically.

Who it suits

Nutraren is for cats and dogs where a vet has recommended nutritional support for kidney function: an older pet whose bloods are being watched, a pet already on a renal diet, or a pet your vet wants to support proactively. Nutravet states it is suitable for puppies and kittens as well as adults.

Signs your pet may benefit

Kidney changes are quiet at first, and cats in particular hide them well. Speak to your vet if you notice:

• Drinking noticeably more, or producing larger volumes of dilute urine.
• Weight loss over weeks or months, without a change in feeding.
• Reduced appetite, or becoming fussy about food that was previously fine.
• Dullness, lethargy, or sleeping more than usual.
• Occasional nausea, retching or vomiting.
• Accidents indoors, sometimes simply because there is more urine to hold.

None of these point only at the kidneys. The right first step is a vet check with blood and urine tests, not a supplement.

Everyday changes that help alongside it

Fresh water in several places around the house helps, and cats often drink more from a wide bowl away from their food. Follow the renal diet your vet has recommended rather than mixing advice from different sources, keep to the monitoring schedule so changes are caught early, and avoid sudden diet changes without checking first.

What to expect, and when

Nutravet has not published a time-to-effect figure for Nutraren, so treat this as steady background support rather than something you will see working. Progress here is measured properly, through your vet’s bloodwork and urine results, not by eye.

When to speak to your vet

• Before starting, if your pet has not had kidney function assessed.
• If your pet has a known fish or shellfish allergy.
• Any change in thirst, urination, appetite or energy after starting.
• Vomiting, weight loss, or mouth ulcers.
• Before combining with other supplements or prescribed medication.

Kidney disease needs proper diagnosis, staging and monitoring. Nutraren sits alongside that care rather than standing in for it.

Storage and shelf life

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, out of reach of children and pets, and use by the date printed on the pack. Some pack labelling gives a 5C to 25C range – check your own pack for the exact wording.

Product information

• Format: soft gel capsules, fish gelatin shell
• Pack options: 45 or 90 capsules
• Species: cats and dogs, including puppies and kittens
• Contains: fish oil, fish gelatin, and chitosan from shrimp shell
• Manufacturer: Nutravet, made in Britain

Frequently asked questions

Is Nutraren a treatment for kidney disease?
No. It is a nutritional supplement that supports renal function alongside your vet’s diagnosis, diet advice and monitoring. It is not a substitute for veterinary treatment.

Is this the same as Nutraren Advanced?
No. This is the original Nutraren soft gel capsule for cats and dogs. Nutraren Advanced Kidney Support is a separate liquid formulated specifically for cats, in a different format with a different ingredient list.

What is the difference between the 45 and 90 packs?
Only the number of capsules. Both packs are the same formulation and the same capsule, so choose whichever suits your pet’s daily dose and how often you want to reorder.

My cat will not swallow capsules. Any options?
Pierce the capsule and squeeze the gel onto a small portion of wet food. That is the usual route for cats and small dogs.

Can it be given long term?
Nutravet reports it was developed for safe long-term use, and it is dosed daily rather than as a short course. Your vet can advise on continuing it.

Does it contain shellfish?
Yes. The chitosan is derived from Icelandic shrimp shells, and the capsule shell is fish gelatin. Avoid it if your pet has a known fish or shellfish allergy.

Do I need a prescription?
No. Nutraren is a nutritional supplement rather than a licensed medicine, so no prescription is needed.

Can I give it instead of the treatment my vet prescribed?
No. Please do not swap prescribed treatment for a supplement. Ask your vet how Nutraren might fit alongside the plan they have already set.

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