What Can I Give My Cat For Pain Relief?

What Can I Give My Cat For Pain Relief?
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We 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 pain relief for cats. There are limitations to conventional painkillers and most human pain 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 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 chronic pain would be arthritis, which is extremely common in cats.

natural pain relief for cats

Signs Your Cat Is In Pain

Some general changes with both acute and chronic 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 pain, you may see:

  • 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 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 will not readily show signs that they are in a state of pain and distress. Therefore, it is important to keep a close eye on them.

It pays to observe your cat’s behavior. Most 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.

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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 cats.

There is a category of over-the-counter painkillers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (commonly referred to as NSAIDs). These 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 if taken appropriately.

Cats, like all species, metabolize different NSAIDs differentlyThere 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 pain.

NSAID's Toxicity In Cats

NSAIDs like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and/or naproxen are not natural pain relief for cats. 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 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 a veterinarian immediately.

WHAT CAN I GIVE MY CAT FOR PAIN RELIEF?

In order to avoid the possibility of your cat suffering side effects, it is important that you consult your veterinarian. They can advise you on how best to treat your cat’s pain.

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.

Corticosteroids For Your Cat's Pain

You can use corticosteroids to help treat your cat’s pain. These include cortisone, prednisone, and/or methylprednisolone. Because pain is usually associated with 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 setting to control severe, acute pain. There are not any good options for natural pain relief for cats, particularly on a long-term basis.

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