Most pet lovers love their cats even more than they love their family members. Cats are always there when we’re feeling lonely or sad. Cats are never judgemental about how we look or what we wear. For this reason, we do our best to keep them happy and healthy, but sometimes they get sick like we do too.
Some cat illnesses are temporary, while others are chronic or terminal. Today, most cat owners are willing to provide medical care and treatments for their beloved cats, rather than having them euthanized. In fact, most vets frown on euthanasia today when medicine can treat the condition. However, just like with humans, prescription medications can have side effects, and worse, they can cost a lot of money.
Most veterinarians are open to treating pets with alternative medicines. If your cat is sick and not getting better, make note of these following treatments, then check with your cat’s vet first before using them.
1. Bach Flower Remedies
It’s important to never use random essential oils on your cat, but to only use ones that have been deemed safe for cats. Bach Flower Remedies is a brand that has researched and created natural remedies for cats. These formulas are created from flower essences made from actual flowers that are nontoxic when used around cats. These are called Rescue Remedies.
There are a few different rescue remedies for cats in their line of products. One type is suitable for soothing cat’s nerves. Often cats hate change, and moving can make them panic, which leads to stomach upsets. You can treat them with a Rescue Remedy so that they’re much calmer and happier when they’re in their cat carriers. You can also use this remedy for a trip to the vet.
2. Probiotics
Cats can get digestive upsets just like humans do. And just like humans take probiotics, cats can also take them too. But be certain you only give them probiotics that are specific to them. All the sugar and additives in yoghurt desserts isn’t good for them. Just some signs that your cat can benefit from probiotics include if your cat vomits a lot or has loose stools. Probiotics come in a variety of formats so you can easily give them to your cat, including a powder to sprinkle on food, and a tasty gel that they can lick off your fingers.
Probiotics are basically microorganisms that are found naturally in mammal’s intestinal tracts. When they get out of balance, it can cause digestive issues in your cat. But they can also be given as a supplement to your cat, which will help restore a healthy balance to their digestive system.
3. Acupuncture
This is an ancient practice where new sterile needles are inserted into parts of the body in order to ease pain and provide relief. The practice of acupuncture uses minute needles which are only placed within the top layers of the skin. A good acupuncturist understands where the nerves and veins are, and avoids them. It’s important that someone holds the cat down when this procedure is done. Once the needles are inserted, your cat will be oblivious to them. The needles are only kept in the cat’s skin for a few minutes, before they’re extracted.
Acupuncture for cats has been proven to be useful for digestion and other ailments. Digestive issues are one of the most common problems for cats, just like for humans. Unfortunately, most cat food on the market is full of chemicals and additives that they shouldn’t be eating. Besides switching your kitty to an all-natural food diet, they can try acupuncture. The results are immediate.
4. Coconut Oil
Not only is coconut oil safe to rub onto your cat’s skin, but should they lick it off during their normal cat bath time, it’s also nontoxic for them. Coconut oil is a simple solution for when your cat has dandruff on its lower back, or when they have itchy, flaky skin. You can use it safely on your cat without having to put a cone on them, as you would have to do when you give them prescription creams or ointments to treat a skin condition.
Not only does coconut oil have emollient properties to restore skin to its normal condition, but it also contains antiseptic compounds to help prevent infection, and combat any bacteria or fungi on your cat’s skin that can lead to bad skin infections. A small drop of the oil can also be used if your cat has a small scrape on their paw pad. Coconut oil also makes an excellent repellent for fleas.
5. Kidney or Liver Support Drops
These drops are simple to give to your cat. They can be easily placed into the side of your cat’s mouth before they even know what you’ve done. These drops are given to boost the health of your cat’s kidneys or liver.
These natural drops contain natural herbs and products that are safe to give your cat, and that have been proven to provide a boost of support in organ function. Just some of the ingredients may include rehmannia root, cordyceps mycelium, astragalus root, dong quai root, and more.
6. Vitamin & Mineral Supplements
Just like humans need their vitamins and minerals, cats also do too. But cats have differing needs than we do, so be certain to buy specific nutritional therapy products for cats.
These products may contain vitamins, A, C, and E. Cats can also benefit from taking glucosamine, chondroitin, bioflavonoid antioxidants, and coenzyme Q10. They can suffer joint problems and get arthritis and osteoarthritis as they age. These supplements can help provide nutrition to bones, muscles, and joints to help keep them supple and agile throughout their lives.
7. Catnip
Catnip is for more than just giving your cat a good time. You can use it to get your cat into the cat carrier before a trip to the vet’s. You can also use it to get them to stay in certain spots of your home. Don’t like them jumping on the counters or the bed? Spray their cat spaces with catnip to encourage them to stay in these locations. If your cat is lazy and gaining weight, you can spray it on their cat toys to encourage them to play. You can hide their toys in the room so they can hunt for them too.
8. CBD Oil
CBD stands for “cannabidiol” and is a natural compound sourced from either the hemp plant or the marijuana plant. CBD is a non-psychoactive, meaning that if your cat consumes this product, they won’t get high. It differs from THC, which is what gives people that high after smoking or ingesting it. CBD products are legal throughout Canada and most parts of the USA. It’s also legal throughout much of Europe.
CBD oil is becoming more commonly used to treat chronic and terminally ill dogs and cats. Kidney disease is perhaps one of the most common diseases that affects older cats. Liver disease isn’t as common, but can make looking after your elderly cat much more difficult.
Older cats can suffer from seizures, as the kidneys and the liver start failing to produce enzymes that neutralize ammonia in the blood. Once the ammonia reaches the brain, it can result in seizures. If the seizure is bad enough, cardiac arrest then death can result.
CBD oil can not only help a cat’s organs to function better, but also help to lessen the severity of a seizure, and even prevent seizures from occurring in the first place. CBD oil can also be safely given to your cat along with other kidney and liver medications.
It can be distressing when you have a sick cat. But most cat owners want their cats to live furrever. If we can ease their pain and provide them just a bit of extra comfort, and maybe a few more years of life, then it’s well worth booking off some extra time in your schedule to do your research. And your kitty will certainly appreciate it and give you a few extra purrs too!