In everyday situations, you may prefer to use natural analgesics  for your dog or cat instead of chemicals.

If you’re planning on keeping your pets with you in a SHTF situation, it may be helpful for you to have alternative ways to ease their pain if they become ill or get injured.

Thankfully, your options for natural analgesics  for pets (and humans) are many.

I recommend keeping an herbal medicine guide in your medicine kit or in your  bug-out bag, so that you can refer to it instead of relying on memory for dosages and ingredients in an emergency.

Remember that even though these herbs are natural, they can still be lethal if you administer too much. Another  thing to keep in mind is that many other essential oils are lethal to pets, especially cats, because their bodies don’t metabolize herbs well. So be careful.

6 Natural Analgesics  for Dogs and Cats

1. St John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort has been used for centuries to treat depression and anxiety, and also to relieve muscle and joint pain, cramping, back aches and muscle spasms. In fact, it’s used in humans for the same things.  It’s also a common treatment to help relieve the pain after you get your cat declawed.

Finally, this handy herb is also being researched as a treatment for the feline convulsive disorder called feline hyperesthesia syndrome, or rolling skin disease.

St. John’s Wort can be used topically in a salve or taken internally. The recommended dosage is 12 drops per 20 pounds of body weight, at least in dogs. Consult your vet to get the correct dosage for your pet.

2. Skullcap

This is another ingredient that’s been used for centuries as an analgesic for humans and pets.  In the correct dosage it’s safe for use with humans, cats and dogs to treat muscle spasms and cramps as well as anxiety and related muscle twitching.  Skullcap does have a lethal dosage so use it with extreme care.

Skullcap can be used topically as an ingredient in a salve or internally, using 12 drops per 20 pounds of body weight. Unlike “calming” herbs such as valerian, skullcap doesn’t cause drowsiness if given in the proper dosage. Again, consult your vet.

3. Ginger

Ginger has so many health benefits that there are literally entire books written just on that.  One of the biggest benefits though is its usefulness in relieving stomach pain, abdominal cramps, muscle pains and strains and lower back pain.

Ginger can be used either as part of a poultice or topical rub for treating muscle pains or eaten to treat stomach pain and cramps. It’s safe to eat pretty much as tolerated.

4. Feverfew

Feverfew has been used in holistic medicine practically  forever,  treating migraines, headaches, muscle cramps, and arthritis. Its prostaglandins make it an anti-inflammatory as well, which may explain why it’s so effective.

Alternative medicine veterinarians often use it in place of aspirin for cats because aspirin, as you should know, is toxic to cats in any amount.

Feverfew can be used in a tincture or you can use ½ teaspoon per 20 pound of bodyweight in a tea.

5. Corydalis Root

If you choose to use this root do so carefully.  It’s closely related to the poppy and binds with pain receptors in the body and slows down absorption of choline. It acts as an analgesic for humans and pets.

Corydalis root is also a sedative and an anti-spasmodic and can be lethal if you take too much, because it will, quite literally, euthanize you or your pet.

6. Turmeric

Turmeric has been used for centuries in Eastern Medicine and in Eastern cultures in general for its incredible health benefits.  It’s great for your skin and as a cancer preventative but for the sake of this article we’re going to stick to the analgesic properties for humans and pets.

Turmeric is great for treating joint pain and has often been compared to using cortisone because of its anti-inflammatory properties.  Turmeric is safe to use with both dogs and cats as well as people and is best used as a spice or to make a tea. Just sprinkle it on food. There really isn’t a toxicity concern when you use it like this.

And Then Some…

Other analgesics  that have been used for pets include  clove oil  (often used to treat ear infections in cats and dogs),  lavender  (great natural analgesics  for dogs when used to treat bug bites, sunburn and burns) or  cayenne pepper.

As you can see, your options for natural analgesics  for both pets and humans are many. The benefits of many of these herbs are that they also make food taste delicious, and (if stored in sufficient quantities) will also be excellent barter material – which are both tremendous benefits when living in a prolonged  emergency or  survival situation.

Storing items that have multiple uses is smart so these herbs are great additions to your SHTF pantry – you can use them for so many things. They do have expiration terms though, so if you can grow them fresh, even better!