CBD has grown in popularity for use in humans, dogs, and even felines. However, numerous questions are surrounding its use. Pet owners must understand what CBD is, how and why it’s useful, whether or not it’s legal, and what’s the difference between CBD, hemp, and THC.
What Is CBD?
The cannabis plant contains more than 100 active compounds, but just one is used for medicinal purposes – cannabidiol, or simply CBD.
CBD is extracted from cannabis major active compounds, named tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. This compound doesn’t have a psychoactive effect, meaning it won’t get pets or humans ‘high’. That being said, CBD oil contains a high concentration of CBD and can be used for therapeutic purposes. However, when it comes to your feline’s health and CBD you should always advise first with your veterinarian and go from there.
CBD Dictionary
- CANNABIDIOL OIL = CBD. CBD will not get you or your cat ‘high’
- TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL = THC. THC is the psychoactive compound
- CBD is derived from the hemp plant.
CBD – How Does it Work?
Mammals – including humans, dogs, and cats have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system regulates certain bodily functions such as mood, pain, sleep, immunity, and appetite. Mammals body naturally produces cannabinoids called endocannabinoids. So, when your feline consume a cannabis product, such as CBD oil, she is supplementing her endocannabinoid system. That’s how vitamin C helps to support the body’s immune system.
Is CBD Oil Safe For Cats?
CBD market is relatively new market and not yet well-researched and regulated, but it’s still legal in majority of the States. More research to be done, but until that peak is reached you should know that CBD and hemp oil are safe and can help your feline with numerous problems.
The great thing about CBD is that you can completely control the intake. Therefore, the most popular form of CBD is CBD oil. This liquid form will often come in the form of a tincture with a dropper, that will allow pet owners to know exactly how much CBD their cats are receiving. With this, you control every single drop.
Also, CBD oil is a great way to introduce CBD to your cat’s routine. Therefore, it’s important to start slowly. There is no need to rush, and after all – CBD oil can be given orally, mixed in with cat’food, or placed on their favorite treat.
CBD Effects & Benefits
The health benefits of CBD for cats are quite similar to the benefits for humans. Furthermore, CBD for cats can be used to support the current health situation and boost overall wellness in generally healthy cats.
CBD For Pain And Inflammation
CBD plays a big role when it comes to easing inflammation in cats, humans, and dogs. CBD can help with following conditions:
- Nerve-related pain
- Arthritis
- Intestinal inflammation
In addition, CBD can help with other types of inflammation and even oxidative stress.
Epilepsy And Seizures In Cats
Anti-seizure medications for both humans and animals could present many negative reactions. Just some of them can include heart problems, kidney failure and even death. Luckily, CBD for cats presents a holistic option that can bring positive results.
Conducted studies so far show that CBD plays a big role in supporting felines with seizures and epilepsy, even when conventional medications can’t. So, CBD for cats is a safe supplement, all-natural, and it’s able to treat a condition that other drugs might not be able to.
CBD For Anxiety
CBD is known for reducing the anxiety in cats because it can provide relaxation in pets and humans. With CBD anti-anxiety medications is not anymore the only option.
Also, CBD can reduce nausea and boost appetite. This is extremely important when felines are fighting with harsh treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy. These treatments can produce nausea and appetite loss. Also, with these treatments, CBD can help to ease the associated side-effects.
Also, CBD can significantly improve coat and skin conditions by making coat healthy and shiny. For example, CBD oil is mostly administered orally, but you can also apply CBD oil to your cat’s skin. In general, this can ease irritation because cats have cannabinoid receptors on the surface of their skin.
In general, CBD for cats can promote overall wellness. Adding a CBD supplement to your cat’s diet can improve her day-to-day life and well-being.
Side Effects Of CBD Oil
Just like there is no identical humans, there are no two identical cats. Therefore, what works for one, may not necessarily work for another one. So, all cats can have the potential to react differently to a cannabis supplement. The main side effect that can occur with CBD is that your cat can be a bit sedated.
If your feline looks lazier or more lethargic than usual, just lower the cat’s dosage. In general, side effects of CBD oil can be very mild or even nonexistent. For example: if the CBD is made into a treat, your pet may get an upset stomach or experience other gastrointestinal issues. Of course, this can massively depend on the other contents of the treat.
How Much CBD Should You Give Your Cat?
As mentioned earlier, every cat is unique and have different needs and health status. Therefore, you should always follow manufacturers instructions for the right dosage. If you are still not sure how much of CBD you should give to your feline, start by thinking ‘less is more’ and start small just to see how your cat reacts. In general, the recommended dosage is 1-5 mg per 10 Ibs of body weight. For felines, it’s recommended to start with 1-5 mg.
Although every cat and situation is different, you will need to try to find a dose that’s in the middle of the recommended range and monitor your feline. Calming effects should kick in within an hour. If not, you should give more CBD to your cat and observe your cat again, and so on until you reach the right dosage. If your cat is already on strict medications you might want to check with your veterinarian if you should introduce CBD to your feline and by what conditions.
What Is The Best Way To Give A Cat CBD?
A variety of forms of hemp CBD for pets are available.
Bottled CBD oils with droppers: this is a great option because it’s easy to apply it, it’s safe to drop in the mouth, or to add it to food or a treat.
CBD oil with terpenes: this form provides effect by offering a broad spectrum of natural and beneficial compounds
Coconut Oil with CBD: this form can be applied to the bare skin inside a cat’s ears to be absorbed transcendentally, you can even dabbed on paws for cat to lick it, or put on top of something that has full and milk-like form. Make sure not to serve CBD of something that your feline shouldn’t ever eat. It can also be added to food or treats. You can also find CBD treats available in the market.
How Do You Find The Best CBD Oil For Cats?
With so many CBD products available on the market, it’s not easy to find the perfect one. Your feline deserves nothing less than perfection and safe product. Therefore, make sure that you always search for CBD that is 100% natural, non-GMO, soy-free, and lab-tested.
Also, we encourage you to make sure that your CBD product has a certificate of analysis that will easily tell you how much CBD and THC is in the product. This way you will know exactly what you are buying.
Make sure to check the amount of CBD in the product, usually stated in mg. Don’t focus on the bottle size or package weight, just focus on the CBD content of the dose.
Frequently Asked Questions On CBD For Cats
1. Is CBD OK For Cats?
CBD is in general safe for cats. Cannabis plants are not. Since CBD had no THC within, CBD is safe as long as it’s applied properly. Therefore, it’s crucial to follow the instructions when it comes to the right dosage.
2. Can CBD Oil Hurt Cats?
Cats can, just like humans, suffer from several different health complications and underlying medical problems. These range from epilepsy, anxiety, arthritis and many more. Unlike THC, cannabidiol does not have a psychoactive effect, meaning it won’t produce an uncomfortable feeling for your cat.
3. Will CBD Oil Calm My Cat?
Once you give CBD to your feline you should see first calming effects after only 60 minutes. During that period you should monitor your cat and if you notice that she is not calming down, you will have to increase the dosage. You should increase your cat after every dosage. That is the most precise way to learn what is the right dosage for your cat.
4. What Is The Difference Between Hemp Oil And CBD Oil?
CBD oil uses the whole plant, while hemp oil comes from its seeds. Also, CBD oil is made from a variety of parts of the mature hemp plant. CBD can be extracted from the plant only by a process called extraction.
5. How Long Does CBD Oil Stay In Cats System?
When it comes to humans, CBD effects take five minutes to half an hour to set it and they can last up to four hours. When it comes to felines it’s still not clear for long CBD effects will stay in the cat. However, it’s known for sure that even once the CBD is worn off, it will remain in the system for a while.