What Can I Give My Cat for Pain Relief?

Cats tend to change their behavior when they’re in pain — even though they’ll likely try to hide it. They might change their daily activities and grooming habits, become more withdrawn or aggressive, or display changes in their sleep.¹

But pain relief for cats isn’t as simple as raiding your medicine cabinet, since most human over-the-counter (OTC) medications are toxic to cats. Your veterinarian, however, can provide the right pain medication they need. Let’s explore some cat pain meds and additional options for natural pain relief. 

Can You Give Cats OTC Pain Medications?

No, it’s not advisable to give human OTC pain relief meds to cats, as most of them are toxic. OTC non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — like aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin^®2 or Advil^®2), and naproxen (Aleve^®2) — may cause stomach ulcers or damage to the intestines, kidney, liver, or heart. Acetaminophen (Tylenol^®2) may be fatal for cats because their body can’t process the medicine.^3,4

That said, your vet might prescribe aspirin to your cat in specific situations as a short-term solution. But you must carefully follow their dosage instructions to avoid potential toxicity.³

What Can You Give Your Cat for Pain Relief?

Now that we’ve covered what to avoid, how can you approach pain management for your kitty? Talk to your veterinarian before administering any pain relief. They can discuss possible side effects or advise you to bring your cat in for an exam.

In the event your vet prescribes something to help ease your cat’s pain, these are some veterinary medications you might encounter.

NSAIDs

NSAIDs help relieve pain and inflammation in cats by blocking the enzymes that produce the compounds that lead to these symptoms. Two common veterinary NSAIDs your vet may prescribe your cat are robenacoxib and meloxicam.^3,4

Both meds can be used for postoperative pain relief, or sometimes as medication to help with chronic pain. Side effects may include gastrointestinal and blood clotting issues, with potential kidney and liver damage — particularly for cats who use these NSAIDs for long periods of time.⁴

Opioids

Your vet may prescribe opioids if your cat is experiencing severe pain. This medication helps by blocking pain receptors in the nervous system. There are many opiate options available, including tramadol, codeine, fentanyl, morphine, buprenorphine, and hydromorphone.^3,4

Opioids may be prescribed for short-term pain relief after injuries or surgeries, or sometimes longer term to help with severe chronic pain. Side effects can include lethargy or elation, dilated or constricted pupils, higher body temperature, gastrointestinal upsets, slow breathing, or seizures.⁴

Corticosteroids

While steroids aren’t pain relievers, your vet may prescribe them to help reduce inflammation that can ultimately help relieve your cat’s discomfort. Two corticosteroids often prescribed to cats include dexamethasone and prednisolone.³

It’s usually not a good idea to give cats corticosteroids and NSAIDs at the same time, since they can be at a higher risk of experiencing side effects.⁴

Other medications that can help with cat pain relief

Sometimes, common pain management medications don’t work for your cat. Your vet may try other medications that can help with cat pain by prescribing ones that block the nerve endings that signal pain — whether by original design or as extra-label use. For pain relief in cats, these can include:

• Solensia^TM2: This relatively new pain medication for cats can help relieve chronic pain from osteoarthritis (OA). Side effects can include gastrointestinal issues, lethargy, injection site irritation, and dermatitis.⁵
• Gabapentin: Originally designed to be a seizure medication, this can help treat nerve, bone, muscle, or chronic pain in cats. Side effects may include lack of coordination and drowsiness.⁶
• Amitriptyline: This medicine is a human antidepressant, but it can also be used to help relieve nerve pain in cats. Side effects can include gastrointestinal, circulatory, and urinary issues alongside decreased tear and saliva production.^3,4
• Amantadine: This antiviral medicine could be used alongside other medications to help with pain control. Side effects can include gastrointestinal problems and shakiness.⁴
• Maropitant citrate: Originally made to help control vomiting, this medication can help relieve pain when used with other pain meds or anesthetics. Side effects might include dehydration, lethargy, drooling, fever, bloody urine, and poor appetite.^4,7

Your vet will take your cat’s symptoms, health, and potential medication side effects into account to create a safe pain management plan for them.

Natural Pain Relief for Cats

You may be wondering if there are natural alternatives for cat pain relief, and the answer is yes. Natural remedies — like joint supplements, alternative therapies, and lifestyle adjustments — could help relieve pain in cats when used by themselves or in combination with veterinary medications. Talk with your vet before combining pain meds with natural alternatives to ensure it’s safe.

Joint supplements

Joint supplements are a great way to reduce inflammation and stimulate joint repair. Some supplements that promote joint health and may help reduce some of your cat’s pain include:⁴

• Glucosamine and chondroitin: These anti-inflammatory chemicals help repair cartilage and reduce its breakdown, increase the quality and amount of joint fluid, and reduce inflammation and pain. They can be used separately or together.
• Omega-3s: These fatty acids can help reduce inflammation and the breakdown of cartilage.
• Turmeric: Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric that could help reduce inflammation and pain.⁸
• CBD oil and herbal remedies: It’s generally considered safe for cats to take CBD (cannabidiol) oil and other herbal remedies — like calendula, lemon balm, ginger, and valerian root — to help ease pain, inflammation, arthritis, and muscular tension.⁹

Utilizing these supplements in their pure forms, without added ingredients, can be safer for cats. But check with your veterinarian before giving any of them to your kitty. If you’re worried about the costs, a MetLife Pet policy could help you cover the costs of prescribed food and supplements for covered conditions.

Cold and heat compresses

Cold and heat can both provide immediate pain relief for cats. You can apply cold or heat with hot water bottles, heat packs, heating pads, ice packs, or even a bag of frozen veggies. Never put something hot or cold directly on your cat’s skin. Instead, wrap the pack in a blanket or towel.¹⁰

Heat is best for relieving chronic pain, and it can help improve stiff joints and blood circulation. Meanwhile, cold is best for new injuries because it can help relieve pain and bring down swelling.¹⁰

Alternative therapies

Veterinary rehabilitation therapy, aka alternative therapies, can include a number of different services to help relieve cat pain.

• Acupuncture: As with people, acupuncture for cats can help treat pain by using small needles to stimulate nerves, promote endorphin release, reduce swelling, and help the body heal itself.⁴
• Chiropractic care: Vet chiropractors can help reduce pain and improve mobility in cats by utilizing gentle, hands-on spinal adjustments.¹¹
• Laser therapy: This modality can help decrease inflammation and pain, and promote healing in the body.⁴
• Physical therapy: As with humans, physical therapy for cats can help increase range of motion, build strength, and reduce pain.⁴

The costs for rehabilitation therapy can add up. But MetLife Pet offers holistic pet care coverage for some of these alternative therapies when they’re prescribed to treat a covered condition.

Lifestyle adjustments

If your cat is in pain, they probably won’t be running, jumping, or climbing as much as they usually do. Move their litter box, bed(s), and food and water bowls to an easier access point and prioritize accessibility for everything your cat needs.⁴

Your vet may also recommend diet adjustments to help treat your cat’s pain, like prescription food that focuses on inflammation reduction or weight management.⁴

Does Pet Insurance Cover Cat Pain Relief?

Yes, pet insurance can typically help you cover costs for the treatment of your cat’s pain, as long as it’s prescribed by a veterinarian and is for a condition covered under your policy. This is true for MetLife Pet Insurance. Let’s take a look at some instances when our policyholders were reimbursed for their cat’s pain medications:¹²

• Fracture: One-year-old cat, Meeko, fractured his leg and got reimbursed $110 on his $120 pain medications.
• Osteoarthritis: Sissy, a 7-year-old cat, has osteoarthritis and got $85 back on her $95 joint pain medication.
• IVDD: One-year-old cat, Annie, has intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) and was reimbursed $50 on her $60 pain meds.

Pain medication can help your cat feel better. Pet insurance could help your wallet feel better by getting money back when your kitty needs relief.

MetLife Pet Offers Coverage for Prescribed Cat Pain Treatment

Most pain medications you can safely give your cat must be prescribed by a veterinarian. MetLife Pet can help you save on those costs with a cat insurance policy. We can also reimburse you for covered pet care expenses related to your cat’s pain — like vet-prescribed food, supplements, and alternative therapies.¹³

When your cat’s in pain, not having to choose between treatment costs and their well-being can make pet insurance worth it. Get started with a free, personalized quote today.