Natural Pain Medications for Cats

Like people, your cat's health is affected by stress, unhealthy lifestyle and poor nutrition. Your cat may be suffering from an infection or illness causing it pain. If you are concerned with the medications your vet has recommended consider a natural approach.

  1. Ginger Root

    • A few drops of ginger root extract will settle your cat's upset stomach, for example, if it suffers from car sickness.

    Fresh Aloe

    • Fresh aloe vera acts as a natural antiseptic. It should be applied to your cat's scrapes, keeping the cut moist until it heals.

    Slippery Elm

    • For diarrhea pain, give your cat capsules of slippery elm to calm the inflamed intestine. High in fiber, slippery elm can also relieve constipation. Taken from the soft, inner bark of the elm, slippery elm comes in powdered form and capsules. These can be found at health food stores. One to three capsules can be mixed into broth twice a day.

    Feverfew

    • Like aspirin for people, feverfew works as an anti-inflammatory for cats. Feverfew's parthenolide compound prevents the constriction of blood vessels that cause inflammation.

    Cayenne &Turmeric

    • The herb cayenne, effective due to the presence of capsaicin, is available in ointment form for topical treatment of your cat's arthritis pain. Turmeric, an herb commonly used in cooking, can be sprinkled on your cat's food to treat arthritis pain.

    Warning

    • Check with your veterinarian before giving your cat any herbs. Do not assume that because some herbs are safe for you, that your cat's system will tolerate them.

    Dose

    • Herbs should not be used on a long-term basis, as your cat will build an immunity to their effects, rendering it useless as a pain relief treatment. Refrain from feeding your cat fresh herbs since they are not digested the same way as in humans. Use teas or tinctures for your cat, which still deliver the natural remedy, but in a safer dosage. Introduce herbs into your cat's diet gradually.