Be very careful when using analgesics. Common painkillers that people use, including acetaminophen (Tylenol), Ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and salicylic acid (aspirin), can be very toxic, even lethal, for animals. That’s not to say that analgesics such as these can’t be used on your pets, but they must be administered under professional veterinary guidance.
Herbal pain relievers for pets:
- Feverfew – an anti-inflammatory commonly used as an alternative to aspirin
Skullcap – used to relieve pain from nerve-related injuries or diseases and often combined with St. John’s wort- St. John’s Wort – used to relieve pain from injuries where the muscles, joints, or nerve endings have been damaged
- Licorice – contains glycyrrhizin which has anti-inflammatory effects
- Cayenne – contains capsaicin which is used as an ointment or cream for humans to block pain and activate the body’s anti-inflammatory mediators at the site where the herb is applied
- Ginger – used internally for stomach pain or topically as a poultice for muscle pain
- Tumeric – has anti-inflammatory properties that are said to be as effective as cortisone, and can be sprinkled on food
- Yucca – contains saponin which is used to relieve pain and inflammation
Homeopathy
The most widely used homeopathic pain reliever is Arnica. Others include Curcumin, which is best taken with Bromelain, and Ruta.