Just thought I'd let you know that my 22 year old CRF cat is now 24 and still going strong, up and down the stairs, leaping across to the coffee table from the sofa !! I've continued religiously with the nettle seeds and recently also a supplement called Kaminox which the vet recommended as her potassium levels were a little low, it also contains B complex. She used to suffer with chronic cystitis but that never happens now since she's had Cystease every other day. I also find a teaspoon of cooked pumpkin (I usually cook a butternut squash, mash it, fill ice cube trays with it, freeze and then decant to a bag. this way you have a dose to defrost easily each day) helps tremendously with her constipation.
thx for that important info...and welcome to our forum :)
I've used nettle seed on 2 cats with CRF with very good results. The cat I'm currently giving it to is 22 years old and has perked up so much since she's been having it. Everyone is astonished when I tell them her age because she looks and acts so much younger. I harvest the seed every year, dry it carefully and crush it a bit in a pestle and mortar before mixing it with a little of something that she really likes eg cream cheese. She always licks it up happily. Start with about a quarter to half a teaspoon and see how your cat responds. Good luck!
I am trying to find info for you....DO NOT use tinctures for a cat...tinctures are made with alcohol and are toxic to cats.
this is a product recommended for CRF cats and contains both nettles and rehmania and is SAFE to use. I don't know if this company ships to the UK or not, can you email them and find out OR are you able to get this locally?
you can also buy a loose leaf nettle in bulk and make a tea infusion, but it would be better to buy the capsules and have both included
heres the link I found.
http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Vetri-Science-Renal-Essentials-Cat-Supplement/125043.aspx
have found a company who produce stinging nettle seed tincture, point is when using tinctures for cats how many drops usually are given? anyone using tinctures i suspect will know. Possibly 2? several times a day. hopefully someone who reads these columns and uses a tincture, or will know someone who has an idea? many thanks