What Can You Give a Cat for Pain?
Treating cat pain isn’t easy. The first hurdle is simply recognizing the signs of a cat in pain, because they’re so good at hiding it. Next, many of the medications we use to treat pain in other species don’t work well or are downright dangerous for cats. But we can’t let cats suffer. Thankfully, with a little extra attention to detail, it is possible to help your cat feel better. Find out what you can give a cat for pain, and just as importantly, what you can’t. Are Human Pain Meds Safe for Cats? Never give your cat a pain medication designed for people unless your veterinarian has told you to do so. Call your veterinarian or Animal Poison Control (1‐888‐426‐4435) immediately if your cat has ingested human pain medication. Many of the pain relievers we take are extremely dangerous for cats, even in tiny doses. In fact, one regular-strength Tylenol contains enough acetaminophen to kill some cats. Acetaminophen causes extensive damage to a cat’s red blood cells and liver and should never be used to treat cat pain. Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), and aspirin can also be dangerous for cats. They can lead to gastrointestinal ulcers, liver and kidney damage, and abnormal blood clotting. There might be times when a veterinarian prescribes one of these drugs (aspirin for cats at risk for blood clots, for example), but they are only used under very specific circumstances and at extremely low dosages.









