Causes Of Pain In Cats
There are many potential causes of pain in cats. While older cats are more prone to pain, cats of any age can experience significant discomfort due to injury, surgery, or illness.
Since symptoms of pain in cats can be similar across multiple causes, it’s critical to have your cat diagnosed by a veterinarian so they can receive the correct treatment. Common causes of pain in cats include:
- Physical trauma
- Dental issues
- Recent surgery
- Cancer
What Else Can I Give My Cat For Pain Relief
Although catnip is known as a herbal painkiller, its effects have not been extremely well studied. Besides, if your cat doesnt respond well to catnip such as getting aggressive or extremely hyperactive then using it as a pain reliever may not be the best option for you.
Many people will rely on synthetic drugs to treat pain in cats. These include drugs such as opioids and corticosteroids which are all available over the counter. However, if youre looking for a more natural solution, youll be pleased to know there are a few other home remedies that you can try first.
Administered With Ease & Accuracy
Ideally, for optimal practical administration, NSAIDs should be:
- Available in an injectable and palatable, oral formulation
- Easily titrated and have an easy-to-determine dose.
These 2 formulations should be usable and approved for use, interchangeably. For example, an injectable formulation facilitates both perioperative and immediate postoperative pain management, when it may be difficult or impossible to medicate animals orally. However, an oral formulation is beneficial for postoperative pain management upon discharge and long-term chronic pain management because it allows the drug to be administered in the home environment.
For cats specifically, palatable oral formulations facilitate administration and complianceimportant components of pain management. Cats are selective about what they eat, and it is difficult to hide an unpalatable pill or medication in food or a treat, as is often done with dogs. If the cat wont willingly take the medication, it must be restrained and dosed.
An NSAID formulation should be easily titrated, if necessary, and/or have an easy-to-determine dose. In tablet form, it should have a wide dose range that allows for administration of whole tablets, rather than fractioning tablets in order to stay within the therapeutic range.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Homeopathic Medicine
Homeopathy doesnt have any side effects. However, an aggravation of the ailment condition is often observed at the onset of the homeopathic treatment. This might be mistaken with side effects.
In contrast, this is the clear sign that the medicine works as intended and the patients body starts fighting back the disease by displaying its symptoms.
Brush Your Cats Teeth
Yes, Im coming back to this! What could be more natural than taking a good old toothbrush and removing bacteria manually from your cat’s mouth! This is the best natural home treatment for infections in a cats mouth! You might find this a bit ambitious, but the ideal is to brush your cat’s teeth twice a day !
You can even kill two birds with one stone by using a cranberry-based toothpaste, which acts as a natural antibacterial agent.
So, brushing your cats teeth is out of the question for you? Is it a question of safety for your hands? I understand! There are dental gels that can be applied simply to the gums to once again achieve this antibacterial effect. It’s not as effective as good old-fashioned tooth brushing though.
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What Can I Give My Cat For Pain
If you are searching for something that you can give your cat for pain, dont look to your medicine cabinet or your dogs medications for answerswhat you find there can be toxic to cats.
Many common pain relievers have seriously harmful effects for cats. This is especially true of pain medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories and Tylenol .
Heres why over-the-counter pain medications for people can be dangerous for cats and which medications should be used instead.
Just Ask The Expert: Take
Veterinary internist Dr. Laura Smallwood reviews the choices for pain medication to send home with cat owners.
Dr. Smallwood welcomes internal medicine questions from veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
to submit your question, or send an e-mail to with the subject line “Internal medicine questions.”
What are your choices for pain medication to send home with cat owners?
A. My choice of pain medication depends on the source of the pain and the anticipated duration of treatment.
For cats that have had a diagnostic or surgical procedure and will require pain control during a short recuperative period , my first choice is buprenorphine applied to the buccal membrane. I dispense the buprenorphine in single-dose syringes with instructions to store at room temperature and away from light. I typically start with a dose of 0.01 mg/kg given three times a day but will increase the dose to 0.02 mg/kg given three times a day in situations in which the patient’s pain is refractory to the lower dose.
Laura J. Smallwood, DVM, DACVIM
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The Problem With Conventional Treatments For Arthritis In Cats
Veterinarians often prescribe a variety of medications to treat arthritis, but these often arent well tolerated by cats. These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, acetaminophen, and aspirin, as well as anti-inflammatory medications like corticosteroids. Using these medications long-term can contribute to more serious health problems later on, in addition to side effects in the short term as well.
Did You Know That There Are Numerous Natural Pain Remedies For Your Dogs And Cats That Are Effective And Safe
No one wants their pets to be in pain, but sometimes it can be quite difficult to pick up on the subtle signs of pain your pet may be displaying.
Many pet parents are worried about using conventional pain relievers with their dogs due to the fear of side effects like kidney and liver problems that can make dogs and cats sick.
However, if your pet is in chronic pain from osteoarthritis or other diseases, its important that pain medications, whether natural, conventional or both, are used to make sure your pet has a good quality of life.
I know that I am not a big fan of having to use NSAIDs, like carprofen, on my pet because of the possible side effects. However, I also do not want to think that my pet may be suffering because I am not doing enough for them.
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Glucosamine Supplementation For Cat Arthritis
Dietary and home environment adjustments will help make your cat more comfortable. Meanwhile, glucosamine supplementation can fight back more directly against arthritis.
As a cat ages or suffers joint damage, sometimes glucosamine production fails to meet the bodys needs. Supplementation can fill in for the low supply.
18 years old, back to acting like an 8-year-old. Greatest thing I could have done for my best friend of 18 years.
Jessica C., Verified Liquid Glucosamine For Cats Review
Glucosamine has a long history of use by humans, and now its available for pets, too.
Glucosamine For Cats by Paramount Pet Health is an easily-administered liquid supplement. Its tasty, so your cats will enjoy taking it. Most of all, theyll enjoy the results as their arthritis symptoms subside and their mobility returns.
What About Tylenol For Cats
Acetaminophen is even more dangerous to cats than NSAIDs and should NEVER be given to a cat under any circumstance. As little as one tablet of Regular Strength Tylenol contains enough acetaminophen to kill some cats.
The drugs metabolites destroy liver cells, damage the kidneys and convert hemoglobinthe oxygen-carrying molecule in bloodto methemoglobin, which results in poor oxygen delivery throughout the body and tissue damage.
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Research On Cbd Use In Dogs And People
Recent studies indicate that CBD can help relieve pain and promote activity in dogs with osteoarthritis and can reduce seizure frequency in cases of severe epilepsy.
The fact that CBD has been shown to help dogs with epilepsy correlates nicely with the 2018 US Food and Drug Administration approval of the human CBD medication Epidiolex for the treatment of certain types of childhood epilepsy.
Other common uses of CBD for which there is at least some supportive scientific evidence include inflammatory conditionslike inflammatory bowel diseaseas well as asthma, anxiety, pain and nausea.
Why Cant Cats Process Certain Medications
UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1-6 is an enzyme produced by the liver and encoded by a gene of the same name. UGT1A6 evolved to help detoxify plant-based toxins by a process called glucuronidation.
As cats evolved, mutations occurred on this gene to the point where it only produces a minute amount of UGT1A6 compared to other animals . As a cats diet is primarily carnivorous, it did not need UGT1A6 to help it detoxify plant-based toxins. Mutations of this gene had no impact on the survival of the cat species. One study lead by Michael Court in 1997 found 18 species of cat, from cheetahs to lions, which suggests that the mutations occurred in the common ancestor.
Cats also lack N-acetyltransferase 2, an enzyme in humans encoded in the NA2 gene, N-acetyltransferase 2 detoxifies certain drugs and metabolites.
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What Can You Give Cats For Pain A Medical Solution
Besides medications, veterinarians can also offer other cat pain relief solutions. If your cat is extremely irritated, your vet might give them a few puffs of gas anesthesia. This will not harm them, but rather help them to relax so your vet can get a better look at their body to see where the cause of the pain might be.
While this isnt a long-lasting treatment, it can help to relax your cats body for a short period of time to give them quick relief.
Concerns About Aspirin For Cats
Aspirin inhibits the blood’s ability to clot. Cats don’t metabolize this drug very quickly — a single dose can remain in their system for three days — so there is a risk of causing an overdose if you give too much. Additionally, aspirin can cause stomach upset and aggravate ulcers. It should never be used in combination with cartilage supplements or other NSAIDS.
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Finding The Best Natural Pain Relief For Cats That Works
If your cat is suffering pain you want something that works fast, as well as being safe. Urgent pain relief from a traumatic injury will require an emergency visit to the vet. However, for long term pain relief, a product thats safe and toxic free is the best option.
In this post youve discovered what causes joint pain in cats, as well as diet. Weve also looked at several natural pain relief supplements, giving you an informed choice. Lastly, we took a brief look at alternative treatments for pain relief you may find of interest.
If youve enjoyed reading this post about natural pain relief for cats please share! Feel free to share this pin on your pets board.
Also, If youve any questions or want to share your experiences leave your comments below.
Wishing you a purrfect day:) Kathy
The Role Of Prostaglandins
Prostaglandins are required for both everyday and compensatory functions of all organs and tissues. For example, prostaglandins are involved in GI protection and healing of GI ulcers as well as normal renal function and compensatory protective mechanisms of the kidney during hypovolemia.10 Prostaglandins are a predominant player in the production of pain in the periphery through sensitization of nerves. They are also involved in the processes of facilitation and amplification of noxious stimuli during central sensitization at the level of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord .12 Central sensitization has been shown, in veterinary species, to become established within 24 hours of a surgical procedure, and it contributes to postoperative pain and likely chronic pain.
Figure 1. The role of prostaglandins in the periphery as sensitizers of pain fibers is well known. They are also involved in the facilitation and amplification of pain signals at various levels in the central nervous system for example, central sensitization is assisted by prostanoids found in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Additionally, recent information suggests that locally produced prostanoids help decrease brain function in the areas involved in descending control over pain .
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Prescription Medication From Your Vet
There are a few prescription opioid pain relievers, like buprenorphine that the vet will be able to explore with you. The vet will be able to decide how painful the situation is for your cat is and the appropriate pain medication depending on their age, health, size, and other factors. âThey will likely give a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug , or an opioid, both of which are commonly used for feline pain,â explains Dr. Woodnutt.
Nsaids 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
- 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.
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Aspirin For Feline Pain Relief
Aspirin is an all-purpose pain reliever commonly used to treat arthritic conditions. It’s also used as a fever reducer, but should be used sparingly for this purpose. This drug is not ideal for use in cats, but it can be given if there are no other options. Check with your veterinarian before giving your cat aspirin.
When They Eat Something They Shouldn’t Have
Dogs eat just about anything, and there are many things that cats shouldn’t, so if your pet devours something toxic, you can use hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting. Give them one teaspoon per five pounds of body weight, and repeat once if needed.
And of course, for serious issues, make sure to check with your vet.
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The Many Natural Remedies To Choose From
Thankfully, you can bypass all of the harsh conventional treatments out there if you provide your cat with the right combination of natural remedies that can help the body heal when arthritis takes hold. Here are some natural options to treat your cats arthritis:
Devils claw is an herbal remedy thats prescribed to reduce inflammation and pain. Its often used when pets are diagnosed with arthritis, but it shouldnt be given if your pet is diabetic.
Pau DArco is an herbal remedy thats known for relieving the pain caused by arthritis, which can promote mobility if your pet is having trouble getting around.
Turmeric is another commonly prescribed herbal remedy for animals suffering with arthritis because it has a strong anti-inflammatory effect. Its also a powerful antioxidant that strengthens the liver and protects against myriad diseases.
Please note, all natural remedies should still only be used under a veterinary professionals guidance. Many herbs can have alternative side effects if not dosed properly depending on your cats age, weight, and health conditions.
Pain Relief For Cats: What Can You Give A Cat For Pain At Home
Because cats speak differently from humans, it can be extremely frustrating when your kitty is in pain but cant tell you where or why.
Felines can communicate through hissing, meowing, chirping, and various other sounds, but these sounds dont always mean that theres something wrong.
But in cases of excessive meowing, loss of appetite, lethargy, depression, dehydration, muscle weakness, and lack of energy, your furry pal might be in pain.
Diarrhea, limping, vomiting, urinating problems, not drinking enough water, and so forth could also indicate a problem.
So what can you do to relieve the cats pain?
For starters, you need to call your vet immediately and explain the symptoms as thoroughly as possible. That should always be your first step if you suspect any kind of problem.
If you cant schedule an appointment soon enough, there are a few safe pain reliever for cats that you can try as a stopgap measure at home. Remember, though, theyre only temporary and are no substitute by a vet.
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Best Wipes: Feliway Animal Health Wipes 12 Count
Delivery method: Wipes | Key ingredients: Pheromones
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Need to have a hard surface to wipe
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Whether youre driving down the road to your local vets office or taking your kitty on a long car ride, traveling can be stressful for cats. Just like baby wipes, these Feliway Travel Calming Wipes, which rely on pheromones as the active ingredient, are easy to throw into any bag or in your glove compartment. You dont apply them to your cat directly, but you can wipe down any hard surface, like a cat carrier or the car or plane seat while you travel. When you do, a facial pheromone, similar to the one that cats give off when they rubs his cheek against the furniture , is released to produce a calming effect.
Alternative Treatments For Arthritis In Cats
Some cats with arthritis benefit from non-medical therapies including:
- Acupuncture
- Hydrotherapy
- Laser therapy
These alternative methods carry minimal risk for your cat, though they can be costly. The combination of medication and non-medical therapies can provide more effective pain relief for an arthritic cat.
For older cats, a heated bed or blanket or even a hot water bottle may provide relief from the pain and stiffness of arthritis. It may take some coaxing, but once your cat is acclimated to the heated bed, it should be a source of comfort.
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