My small cat is limping. OTC pain relief if I can't afford a vet?

Poor Mavis! No, do NOT give aspirin or any other human over-the-counter pain medications, as these are extremely toxic in cats. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can get over the counter that would be safe to give her. If she's holding up the leg completely and/or seems really painful on it, then I would recommend having her seen tonight at an emergency clinic for an exam and possibly x-rays. If this isn't possible, then I would take her to your regular vet tomorrow morning to be seen if she's still limping.

Hi there. Sorry this happened. You CANNOT give a cat any over the counter pain medication like aspirin, ibuprofen, etc. Please don't do this. Cats are extremely sensitive to these medications and you can cause her severe damage (even death) if you give her any of these medications. I know you want to help her but she will need medication from a vet. Vets have medications that are specific for cats that work amazingly well. So, my recommendation is to get her to a vet for an exam and they can prescribe some pain medications for her. You could always catch her and the kittens and take them to your local shelter. They will accept them and get the mom the proper treatment. I hope this helps. Best wishes and thanks for looking out for her!

Poor Sagan! I'm glad to hear that he's bearing weight on his right front leg. Since he's a young and presumably active cat, limping occurs most commonly from injuries. As you'd mentioned, it's possible that he has a soft tissue injury of the muscles, tendons or ligaments, or a fracture. Unfortunately, there are no safe over the counter pain medications for cats, as all cause serious toxic side effects. It would be ideal for Sagan to go to his vet for an exam. The vet may recommend x-rays right away, or may offer a trial of prescription pain medications and rest. If you aren't able to take him to a vet right away, then be sure to restrict his activity to a dog crate or small room where he is unable to run, jump or play for a few days. (Easier said than done, I realize.) If this is a mild soft tissue injury, he may just need some time to rest and heal. If the limping continues or worsens, then he will certainly need veterinary attention. I hope this helps and that Sagan is on the mend soon!

Cats are extremely sensitive to over the counter (OTC) medications, not to mention that dosing for such a small cat is nearly impossible with OTC meds. It is best to get your cat some pain medication from your vet that is made specifically for cats like Onsior.

There are not any OTC pain relievers that are safe to give cats. It will damage their livers. Taz needs to be examined by a veterinarian today not only for pain relief but to check for injuries. Traps are very dangers and can result in broken bones, dislocated joints and torn tendons. I hope Taz does well!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Suzi. I recommend that he sees a veterinarian right away. She will likely need x-rays of her sore limb to ensure that she does not have a fracture. From there, pain medication will be prescribed to help her feel better. In the meantime, do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to cats. I hope this information helps!

Unfortunately no. Many OTC pain medications are toxic to cats, and are fatal if given. If Oliver is in a lot of pain, he needs to see a vet now. Please take him into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website. Best of luck.