Echinacea for Cats With Cancer

You've just gotten horrible news from your vet: Your cat has cancer. This would devastate any pet lover. However, what kinds of treatments are available? Depending on how advanced the cancer is, your vet may suggest conventional approaches, such as chemotherapy, radiation and/or surgery. Holistic Pet Info recommends an integrated treatment approach. Proper nutrition and supplements such as echinacea can aid in your cat's recovery.

  1. What Is Echinacea?

    • Also known as the purple coneflower, echinacea is an herbal supplement used to treat a wide variety of conditions in humans. As Holistic Pet Info notes, dogs and cats with cancer can also benefit from echinacea.

    How Does Echinacea Help?

    • Echinacea may benefit cats with cancer in several ways. Holistic Pet Info reports that it boosts the immune system and serves as a tonic for the lymphatic system. Drs. Foster and Smith at PetEducation.com note that echinacea may slow the growth of some types of tumors.

    Which Cats Should Not Take Echinacea?

    • Although rigorous scientific research is lacking, there are some cats who probably should not take echinacea. Drs. Foster and Smith note that since it is not recommended for people with HIV or AIDS, it should probably not be used with cats who have leukemia, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline Infectious Peritonitis, other autoimmune problems or connective-tissue disorders.

    Warnings

    • Be sure to check with your vet before giving your cat echinacea. She can tell you whether echinacea could be helpful and the proper dosage and type of preparation for your cat. Your vet may also advise you to give your cat a break from the echinacea after six to eight weeks or so since, as Drs. Foster and Smith note, it may lose its effectiveness after that. You may be able to give it again later.

    Cost Considerations

    • As a pet lover, you undoubtedly want to do everything you can for your cat, but cost is an important consideration. Holistic Pet Info sells an herbal supplement called C-Caps that contains echinacea and other herbs that may help cats and dogs with cancer. One bottle is rather expensive at $41.95, but it is a two-month supply, and shipping is free for orders over $25. Your vet may also sell it or have some suggestions on where to purchase it inexpensively.