Treating pain and inflammation in our feline patients can be difficult using only the limited pharmaceuticals that are available. Holistic and integrative options offer a treatment plan that can be both safe and effective, and essential oils for pain management in cats are a great addition to the regimen.

Cats are very special members of the animal kingdom. Veterinarians agree that our feline patients present a unique challenge in terms of diagnostics and treatments. This is due in part to the unique evolutionary development of the feline species.1,2 Orthopedic conditions are a prime example. While the pathophysiology of these issues is similar in both cats and dogs, conventional treatments for managing pain and inflammation are vastly different.

Our canine patients have a wide range of pharmaceuticals to choose from, but this is not the case for their feline counterparts. In fact, fewer pharmaceutical treatments are available for cats, and many are recommended for short term use only.3,4,5 Fortunately, alternative treatment options for orthopedic conditions are being explored for both dogs and, most importantly, cats. Essential oils for pain management in cats can be an easy alternative that can be implemented into treatment protocols within the veterinary hospital, or taught to owners for at-home use.

Basic pain pathophysiology

Pain is a very intricate and complicated physiological process. It involves the nervous system as well as psychological aspects, and in non-verbal animals a behavioral reaction to painful stimuli.6  Pain receptors, also known as nociceptors, are predominantly found in the superficial layers of the skin, cornea, anus, periosteum, arterial walls, joint capsule, muscles, and tendons.7 Pain signals are transmitted from the periphery to the spinal cord by small type A-delta and type C fibers. Type A-delta fibers have a fast conduction rate and conduct pain impulses that are perceived as acute or a picking sensation. Type C fibers are slower at conducting pain impulses and often conduct a slow burning sensation.7,8 

In general, the sensation of pain is a combination of both the initial acute, sharp, painful stimuli, which is then followed by the dull, burning sensation. This indicates that pain perception is an intricate mixture of both type A-delta and type C fibers.7,8,9

Pain fibers enter the spinal cord through the dorsal roots and ascend the spinal cord to the brain. Here they terminate at neurons in the dorsal horns of the gray matter. Responses to pain impulses are returned via the spinal cord.7,8

How essential oils help with pain

Essential oils are concentrated lipophilic extracts of aromatic terpenoid constituents.10 A simpler definition is that essential oils are highly concentrated, aromatic oils extracted from certain parts of plants such as leaves, stems, bark, roots, and flowers using steam distillation, hydrodiffusion, or pressure.11

Essential oils are very versatile and have been utilized as a treatment modality for many disease processes. They have hundreds of constituent compounds that work synergistically or on their own to provide therapeutic actions.12 In the case of pain, there are three main ways in which essential oils are beneficial: they reduce inflammation, increase blood supply, and directly treat and reduce pain.13,14 

• In general, terpene-containing essential oils are known to be strongly anti-inflammatory in nature. They help reduce inflammation and assist the immune system to properly manage inflammation within the body.13,14 
• Essential oils that contain menthol can be stimulating and help reduce pain by increasing blood flow to the affected areas.13 An increase in blood flow also increases the important nutrients and oxygen needed for the surrounding tissues, allowing for reduced inflammation and increased healing time. 
• Other constituents such as eugenol are known for their analgesic and antinociceptive effects.13,14  

While there are several ways to administer essential oils for pain management in cats, these particular oils work great when applied topically to the affected area.

Common essential oils for pain management

Copaiba (Copaifera officinalis)

Copaiba is steam distilled from the gum resin exudate of the tapped copaiba tree.15 Many aromatherapists consider it one of the most important and versatile essential oils for treating painful conditions. As with all disease processes, pain hinges on chronic inflammation as a major contributing factor. Copaiba is known for being one of the most anti-inflammatory essential oils available. It contains high levels of beta-caryophyllene – up to 70% according to some reports.16 Copaiba also acts much like an NSAID by blocking the oxidation of 5-lipoxygenace, a major player in the inflammatory cascade, thus reducing pain and inflammation.17

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

No essential oil is as well-known as Lavender. Everyone from medical professionals to the general population have heard of the benefits of Lavender oil, especially its calming effects, which can be of great advantage when treating pain. When the body and mind are relaxed, normal physiological processes can function at optimal levels, allowing for a more rapid healing process. Studies have demonstrated that the constituents in Lavender, specifically linalool and linalyl acetate, contribute to its therapeutic effect by inhibiting GABA(A) receptors in the central nervous system to induce a state of relaxation and mitigate pain perception.18,19 Human studies have also demonstrated that pain and olfactory pathways are related.19

Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum)

Helichrysum, another must-have oil, is very versatile in nature. It is most often thought of in relation to bruising and bleeding. Helichrysum can help when blood clots are present and act as an anti-coagulant; however, it can also be indicated when bleeding occurs by helping to clot the blood. It helps decrease bruising as well.20 Helichrysum is also a great addition to a pain protocol. It has powerful anti-inflammatory and pain management properties.20,21,22 This has especially been noted when it is applied topically, when it acts as a topical anesthetic.

Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)

Frankincense is another versatile oil and considered one of the “must have” and “go to” oils in aromatherapy. It has found much notoriety in recent years due to clinical studies demonstrating its use in cancer therapy. Frankincense can also be very useful for pain management. The constituents found within this oil can help with muscle relaxation and oxygenation of the tissues, especially brain and nervous tissue.23

Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens)

Palo Santo essential oil is produced from a tree in South America that comes from the same botanical family as Frankincense. In fact, it is known as the “South American Frankincense”.  Within its region and throughout aromatherapy, it is highly regarded as a spiritual oil. However, care should be taken because the tree from which Palo Santo essential oil originates is an endangered species in certain areas such as Peru.24 When using this oil, therefore, sourcing is important and using a reputable company that practices sustainable and ethical growing and farming techniques is a must. Palo Santo has been demonstrated to help with pain control as well as cartilage repair and tendon and ligament health and repair.24 Based on studies, it is thought that one of Palo Santo’s main constituents, limonene, is responsible for pain control and inhibiting certain neuronal pathways.25,26

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) 

Lemongrass has been shown to be successful in treating a number of conditions. It is known to be a very powerful anti-fungal essential oil. One study conducted by Chao in 2008 found that Lemongrass inhibited the growth of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).27 This makes it a very powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial essential oil. It has also been demonstrated to help with cases of pain and inflammation. Lemongrass and its constituents can help regenerate connective tissue and ligaments, improve circulation, promote lymph flow, and reduce inflammation.28

Final thoughts

Due to the cat’s unique evolutionary development, it can be difficult to recognize and treat pain appropriately in our feline patients using only the limited available pharmaceuticals. Holistic and integrative options offer a treatment plan that can be both safe and effective, and essential oils for pain management in cats are a great addition to the regimen. Veterinarians can use these in a clinical setting and owners who know how to safely use the oils with their cats can use it at their homes. It is important to remember that purity and quality, along with proper use, are key when using essential oils with cats. 

The essential oils for pain management in cats outlined in this article are a small sample of those that help with orthopedic conditions in cats. There are many available, some as single oils and some as blends, though the ones highlighted here are the most common and most often used. They provide you with a great starting point for using essential oils for pain management in cats.

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References

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2Khidkhan K, Mizukawa H, Ikenaka Y, et al. Tissue distribution and characterization of feline cytochrome P450 genes related to polychlorinated biphenyl exposure. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol. 2019;226:108613. doi:10.1016/j.cbpc.2019.108613.

3Khan SA, McLean MK. Toxicology of frequently encountered nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in dogs and cats. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2012;42(2):289-vii. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2012.01.003.

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5Gruen ME, Myers JAE, Tena JS, Becskei C, Cleaver DM, Lascelles BDX. Frunevetmab, a felinized anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of pain from osteoarthritis in cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2021;35(6):2752-2762. doi:10.1111/jvim.16291.

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12Young DG. Essential Oils: The Missing Link in Modern Medicine. Essential Oils Integrative Medical Guide.  Life Science Publishing.  2003. Page 3.

13www.themiracleofessentialoils.com/essential-oils-for-joint-pain. Last Accessed on 7/28/2024.

14Girão DK, Cardoso CC, Silva FR. Effect of essential oils on pain management: what do we know and where do we go. Brazilian Journal of Aromatherapy and Essential Oil. 2024;1.

15Copaiba. Essential Oils Animal Desk Reference. Life Science Publishing. 2017. pp. 46-47.

16Shelton M. Copaiba. The Animal Desk Reference: Essential Oils for Animals, 2nd ed. 2018. pp. 241-244.

17Baylac S, Racine P. Inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase by essential oils and other natural fragrant extracts. Int J Aromather. 2003;13: 138-142.

18Shammas RL, Marks CE, Broadwater G, et al. The Effect of Lavender Oil on Perioperative Pain, Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep after Microvascular Breast Reconstruction: A Prospective, Single-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Trial. J Reconstr Microsurg. 2021;37(6):530-540. doi:10.1055/s-0041-1724465.

19Abbaszadeh R, Tabari F, Taherian K, Torabi S. Lavender aromatherapy in pain management: a review study. Pharmacophore. 2017;8(3-2017):50-4.

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24Shelton M. Palo Santo. The Animal Desk Reference: Essential Oils for Animals, 2nd ed. 2018. pp. 303-304.

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26Kaimoto T, Hatakeyama Y, Takahashi K, Imagawa T, Tominaga M, Ohta T. Involvement of transient receptor potential A1 channel in algesic and analgesic actions of the organic compound limonene. Eur J Pain. 2016;20(7):1155-1165. doi:10.1002/ejp.840.

27Chao S, Young G, Oberg C, Nakaoka K. Inhibition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by essential oils. Flavour and Fragrance Journal. Volume23, Issue6. November/December 2008. pp. 444-449.

28Shelton M.  Lemongrass. The Animal Desk Reference: Essential Oils for Animals, 2nd ed. 2018. pp. 280-281.