What Can You Give a Cat for Pain Relief?

Treating pain in cats can be tricky. Many of the drugs so helpful in other species can be toxic and even deadly to cats. But that doesn't mean our feline friends need to live with pain. Dosed correctly, some medications are safe to give a cat for pain relief.

  1. How Cats Are Different

    • The cat's liver is deficient in its ability to eliminate compounds through hepatic glucuronidation. Without this detoxification mechanism, cats develop toxicity to some drugs much faster than humans and dogs do.

    Safe for Cats

    • Commonly prescribed drugs to safely give a cat for pain relief include tramadol, fentanyl patches, buprenex and prednisone. All of these drugs have side effects. The package insert for each drug will tell you what those side effects are.

    About NSAIDs

    • Metacam is a powerful pain killer and the only NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) approved for cats. It can have severe side effects, including acute kidney failure and death.

    Over-The-Counter Drugs

    • It's safe to give cats 1/4 tablet of low-dose or baby aspirin every three or four days for relief of mild pain. Other over-the-counter pain killers, including Tylenol and drugs that contain ibuprofen, are toxic to cats and can be deadly.

    Homeopathic Remedies

    • Traumeel and arnica are among the homeopathic remedies that can be given to cats for pain relief. Homeopathic remedies are most effective when customized for the individual cat and symptoms. A holistic veterinarian can help you choose the correct remedy for your cat.