What Can I Give My Cat For Pain Relief?

We as pet owner, get so much joy and happiness from our cats that it breaks our hearts to see them in discomfort. As responsible pet owners, we should provide them with proper care. Unfortunately, sometimes they may suffer from a condition that involves pain or irritation. At this point, many owners wonder “What can I give my cat for pain relief?” As a cat owner, it pays to know about natural cat pain relief. There are limitations to conventional painkillers and most human prescription pain relief medication can be toxic for felines.

 

 

HOW TO TELL IF YOUR CAT IS IN PAIN

It can be extremely difficult to tell if your cat is in pain. They tend to hide that fact from their owners. This may cause you to overlook certain telltale signs. Additionally, there are many different types of feline pain states, broadly divided into acute and chronic. An example of acute pain would be an injury or bite wound your cat suffers. An example of liquid form of chronic pain would be arthritis, which is extremely common in cats.

 

 

Signs Your Cat Is In Pain

Some general changes with both acute moderate pain and chronic nerve pain are:

 

 

• Cats in pain tend to be more aggressive. As such, they are more likely to scratch, bite, or hiss.
• Cats in pain rarely vocalize
• They will spend more time hiding. If your cat is spending an excessive amount of time hiding under a bed, couch, or some other piece of furniture, they are likely in distress.
• Your cat might exhibit changes in their eyes.
• If your cat is usually active and/or playful and they stop showing this kind of behavior, they may be in pain.

 

 

With acute stomach pain, you may see common symptoms:

• Your cat may have a shorter and faster breathing pattern (such as panting). There may also be changes in the movements of the abdominal or chest muscles.
• They could have a faster heart rate or pulse.
• Your cat might have a lower appetite or even stop eating food and drinking water entirely.

 

 

With Arthritis, you may take pain medications, see:

• Cats may exhibit changes in their movement and/or gait. This can appear as an overall stiffness in how your cat moves about as well as possible limping.
• Impaired ability to perform the activities of daily living
• Disrupted sleep
• Difficulty jumping up or down
• Decreased willingness to play and engage in life
• Difficulty climbing or descending stairs
• Difficulty running or chasing objects

 

 

Watch Your Cat's Behavior

Seeing one or more of these signs may indicate that your cat is in pain. It is useful to remember that cats do feel pain, but because they are both predators and prey, they are extremely sensitive and will not readily show signs that they are in a state of pain and distress. Therefore, during cat pain, it is important to keep a close eye on them.

 

 

It pays to observe your cat’s behavior. Most pet owners are familiar with their cats’ behavioral patterns and can quickly tell if there is a problem. If something is wrong, then you should take your cat to a veterinarian especially if the condition is persistent or gets worse. At this point, you may want to seek out natural pain relief for cats.

 

 

WHY CAN’T I GIVE MY CAT HUMAN PAINKILLERS?

Humans and cats are both mammals. This means that we share many similarities in our metabolic systems. However, there are some differences that are crucial to consider when treating pain in both dogs and cats. But what to give a cat for pain at home? There is a category of over-the-counter painkillers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (commonly referred to as NSAIDs). These medications are extremely common for treating general pain and inflammation in humans but they can be downright dangerous for cats.

 

 

Examples Of NSAIDs Include:

• Aspirin - acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
• Tylenol – acetaminophen
• Motrin/Advil – ibuprofen
• Aleve - naproxen

 

 

NSAIDs are also referred to as analgesics (painkillers) or antipyretics (fever reducers). They are very effective and safe for humans and animals, if taken appropriately. Cats, like all species, metabolize different NSAIDs differently. There are some NSAIDs that are safe to give cats – talk to your veterinarian.

 

 

Currently, there are 2 NSAIDs that are FDA approved for acute pain, but none that are FDA approved for chronic pain. However, with the guidance of your veterinarian, there are NSAIDs that can be safely used long-term for chronic pet pain.

 

 

 

NSAID's Toxicity In Cats

NSAIDs like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and/or naproxen are not natural pain relief for cats without vet prescription. It is NEVER safe to give to your cat. Using these can result in side effects. This is also known as NSAID toxicity and is characterized by the following symptoms:

 

 

• Vomiting
• A decrease in appetite
• Fatigue and lethargy
• Shallow or rapid breathing
• Swelling and pain in the abdomen
• Pale gums

 

 

It is important to note that NSAID toxicity in pets is potentially fatal. Furthermore, many of its symptoms are similar to the symptoms of overall pain in your cat. If you suspect that your cat is suffering from NSAID toxicity, you have to take them to an emergency clinic or a veterinarian immediately.

 

 

WHAT CAN I GIVE MY CAT FOR PAIN?

In order to avoid the possibility of your cat suffering side effects from treatment, it is important that you consult your veterinarian. They can advise you on how best to treat your cat’s pain. Is there any cat pain relief at home? Remember that over-the-counter human-grade NSAIDs are absolutely NOT an option!

 

 

NSAIDs For Your Cat's Pain

As indicated above, there are two NSAIDs that are safe to give cats: robenacoxib and meloxicam. Talk to your veterinarian about these as a potential option. Your veterinarian will determine if these are appropriately safe to administer give your cat.

 

 

Corticosteroids For Your Cat's Pain

You can use corticosteroids to help treat your own pain meds and cat’s pain. These include cortisone, prednisone, and/or methylprednisolone. Because pain is usually associated with joint inflammation, these drugs are effective because they treat both conditions at the same time. However, they do have side effects if given on a repeated basis, long-term.

 

 

Opioids for Severe Pain

Veterinarians use opioids routinely for the control of acute pain. They are best used in the hospital veterinary clinic setting to control severe, acute pain. There are not any good options for natural pain meds for cats, pain management or relief for cats, particularly on a long-term basis.

 

 

Can a cat get aspirin?

Some cats receive doses over ten mg per pound, but it's recommended once per day, once a day. Aspirin is not recommended for cats in the elderly as it can pose serious risks, including gastrointestinal bleeding. In all cases, meds can have some negative effects and can sometimes be detrimental. 

 

 

Can a cat have ibuprofen?

No, cats should never be given ibuprofen. Even in small doses, ibuprofen is highly toxic to cats and can cause severe health issues such as stomach ulcers, kidney damage or failure, and even death. If a cat is in pain or needs medication, it's essential to consult a veterinarian for safe alternatives.

 

 

Best Alternative to Pain Medicine for Cats?

An appropriate diet may greatly help your vet combat chronic inflammatory pain caused by cats. Increasing the calorinated intake through high-fat foods helps to lower belly fat. In some patients taking nutritional supplements containing DHA are associated with joint swelling or joint weakness. Please consult your veterinarian for any kind of medication or diet for your cat's liver side. A diet reduced in calories will be helpful to those looking to maintain weight.

 

 

If your cat is in pain or discomfort, it's important to use medications prescribed explicitly by a veterinarian. There are safer alternatives for managing pain in cats, such as prescription medications such as:

• Meloxicam: A vet-prescribed NSAID that's safer for cats when used at appropriate doses.
• Buprenorphine: An opioid analgesic often used for managing moderate to severe pain.
• Gabapentin: Commonly used for nerve pain and as a sedative.

 

 

Final Thoughts 

When managing your cat's pain, the most essential step is to consult with your veterinarian. Human pain relievers, including common NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin, can be extremely harmful to cats and should never be used. Instead, focus on safe, vet-prescribed medications and explore natural pain relief options under professional guidance. Your cat's well-being depends on careful and informed decisions, ensuring they receive the best care without the risk of toxic side effects.