5 Herbal Pain Relief Medications For Pets
Pets, like humans, are prone to injuries and diseases that may cause severe pain. When this happens, it’s natural to feel helpless as a pet parent. You’ll want to do everything in your power to ensure your pet is pain-free. To help, your vet may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, these drugs are not without risks.
Certain pharmaceuticals have severe side effects that may make coping with the pain even harder for your fur baby. In some cases, the side effects can lead to other problems such as liver damage, kidney toxicity, digestive upset, and even worse, blindness. For this reason, it’s crucial to consider safer, natural alternatives before opting for pharmaceutical drugs. We’ve provided a list of the top 5 herbal relief medications for pets.
Devil’s Claw
Devil’s claws’ scientific name is Harpagophytum procumbens. It is an African herb with potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The main constituent of this herb is harpagoside, which is useful for reducing pain and inflammation. Therefore, it would be an excellent pain reliever for a pet suffering from arthritis and muscle pain.
Devil’s Claw has been used for many years to treat lower back pain, rheumatism, and arthritis in humans. As a result, you’ll mostly find it being sold as a human product. On the container, the directions for intake will include the amount per body weight of an adult.
If you decide to administer this herb to your pet for pain relief, it’s crucial to adjust the suggested dose to your pet’s weight. This way, you’re not administering too much than the required amount. However, it’s best to consult your veterinarian before giving your pet any herbal medications.
Also, note that you shouldn’t give a lactating or pregnant pet Devil’s Claw. This herb can interact with certain pharmaceuticals. Therefore, consult your vet if your pet is on other medications.
Kratom
Another excellent herb for pet pain relief is Kratom. It is an efficient pain reliever and has a calming effect for anxious and restless dogs. Its active ingredient is alkaloids, which have excellent pain-relieving properties.
For this reason, Canada Kratom is the perfect pain reliever for a pet with bone, joint, or other injuries causing pain. Studies show a reduction in pain after taking this herb. Dogs are also less anxious after taking the herb.
Note: You should not give your dog too much Kratom because it can cause seizures if used excessively. Always consult your vet before adding this herb to your pet’s diet.
Alfafa
Alfalfa offers a plethora of nutritional benefits, and it’s useful for relieving arthritis pain. Not to mention, it’s easy to grow right at home. Therefore, if you have a green thumb, it may be a great addition to your garden because you’ll benefit from the herb as well.
When it comes to relieving pet pain, it’s best to administer this herb as a food supplement. Most people prefer to combine it with other potent herbs such as licorice and dandelion. However, you can only use alfalfa supplements.
Alternatively, you can add a pinch of dried alfalfa per 10lbs of body weight to your dog’s food per day. However, make sure you buy organic alfalfa and avoid seeds and flowers because they can cause an allergic reaction if your pet is allergic to pollen.
Ginger
Ginger is a go-to herb for relieving nausea, gas, and digestive upset. However, it’s also beneficial for treating arthritis pain. Ginger inhibits the immune system from producing leukotrienes, which cause inflammation. Furthermore, it improves blood circulation in older dogs that have problems with mobility.
Here’s how to incorporate this herb into your pet’s diet:
- Take a fresh piece of ginger root and remove the skin.
- Mince the root finely.
- Add a small amount of minced ginger into your dog’s food, depending on its size. You should add ¼ tablespoon for miniature dogs, ½ a tablespoon for dogs weighing up to 35 pounds, and ¾ tablespoon for heavier dogs.
Note: Ginger has an overpowering taste. Therefore, it’s best to add small amounts initially and increase as the dog gets used to the taste. Ginger is also a blood thinner. So avoid it if your pet has undergone surgery or is on anticoagulant drugs. Speak to your vet before adding this herb to your dog’s diet.
Turmeric
Turmeric is another popular herb in most homes. But this herb isn’t just useful for adding flavor to your food. It can do wonders for your pet’s health. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and is packed with antioxidants. If your pet has arthritis, they will benefit a lot from taking this herb.
You can prepare turmeric the same way as ginger. However, dogs absorb it better if it’s administered with fat and black pepper. Use turmeric powder (from a health food store) to make a paste and add a bit of black pepper. Once you’ve combined the two, add a small amount to your dog’s food.
Wrapping Up
As you can see, there are numerous natural pain-relieving herbs for pets. Therefore, if you’re worried about giving your pet pharmaceutical drugs, these herbs are excellent alternatives. Just make sure you consult your vet before administering any of these herbs.
References
https://holisticanimalremedies.com/pages/safe-healing-herbs-for-animals-pets
https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/health/herbal-remedies-for-your-dogs-arthritis-pain/
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/top-10-herbs-for-natural-pain-relief/