Included FREE items
CBD Oil For Cats: How Does It Work?
With CBD oil becoming popular for treating many health conditions in humans, it’s just logical to ask whether it can also benefit our feline friends. The short answer is a clear yes! Mr. Whiskers can benefit from the healing powers of CBD as much as we can. Find out about CBD oil for cats, the conditions it can help with, and how to dose it.
Contents:
CBD is one of the many cannabinoids found in cannabis. Unlike the main psychoactive component THC, CBD doesn’t get you high. With studies suggesting its use for pain management and as a potential treatment for conditions such as epilepsy, anxiety, neurological disorders, and many others, CBD is currently a very hot topic. If you’re a cat owner, you may be interested to learn that CBD can also benefit your four-legged friend!
How Does CBD For Cats Work?
As is the case with humans, cats have an endocannabinoid system that regulates important physiological functions such as immunity, mood, sleep, and pain. Cannabinoid receptors are found all throughout the body, including the brain, nervous system, and immune system. What makes cannabis so special is that its active compounds can bind or influence these receptors. And in the same way humans can benefits from the outcomes of CBD, so can your feline friends!
How Can CBD Help Your Cat?
Despite a mounting body of evidence on the positive effects and potential applications of CBD, the field of cannabis-related medical research is still new. Mainstream parties are finally accepting that a previously demonised substance actually poses a wide range of therapeutic applications. As such, there are few in vivo studies of CBD on cats; however, there is a wealth of anecdotal and preliminary reports that support its therapeutic action.
Among the conditions CBD can help alleviate in cats are:
- Aggression
- Loss of appetite
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Lack of energy
- Inflammation
- Infections
There are also more serious health conditions where cat owners have reported seeing good results when administering CBD oils. These include common feline diseases such as arthritis, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and asthma, which are conditions where inflammation is often the root cause. CBD is largely known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, helping to fight both the root causes and symptoms of various conditions.
Among people, CBD is used for treating seizures, such as those experienced by patients suffering from a rare form of epilepsy known as Dravet syndrome. There is evidence that CBD is also effective for reducing seizures in cats.
How To Dose CBD For Cats
Cats are obviously much smaller than humans, which means they will normally require much lower doses of CBD than we do.
If you purchase a CBD oil product made specifically for cats, make sure you read the recommendations for correct dosing that come with the product. You can also use CBD oils that are intended for people, as long as you make sure to use them in the proper low dose.
According to some veterinarians, 0.1–0.5mg of CBD per kg of your cat is recommended. Individual doses may vary depending on the specific condition your cat is suffering from, among other factors. Remember, less can be more. It is always better to start with low doses first to see how your cat responds.
Recommended Dosage Of CBD For Common Cat Conditions
- Arthritis: 0.5mg/kg twice daily
- Asthma: 0.5mg/kg twice daily
- Inflammatory bowel disease: 0.2mg/kg twice daily
- Pancreatitis: 0.1mg/kg twice daily, gradually increasing to 0.5mg/kg twice daily
- Chronic upper respiratory tract infections: 5mg/kg twice daily
- Seizures: 0.5mg/kg twice daily and then increase gradually—maximum dosage for treating seizures can be up to 3mg of CBD per kg weight of your cat
Know that CBD doesn’t normally work overnight. Sometimes it can take several weeks for you to observe its effects on your pet. Therefore, when you administer CBD, be patient and consistent, carefully observing your cat so you can find the optimal dosage in due time.
As a rule, it’s a good idea to wait a week or two before upping the dosage. Repeat this process as recommended until you notice its effects.
Is CBD Oil Safe for Cats?
Yes, CBD oil is safe for cats. Just like their human owners, cats also possess an endocannabinoid system. CBD works through these physiological pathways to promote balance and produce various effects. Although generally considered safe and effective, there still remains a lack of scientific evidence documenting the impact of the cannabinoid on our feline friends. If you’re considering giving your cat CBD oil, have a chat with your vet first about the decision and how to go about it safely.
-
Will CBD Oil Get Your Cat High?
No, CBD does not produce a high in cats. The molecule affects cat physiology in a way that makes this impossible. THC produces psychotropic effects by binding to CB1 receptors in the brain. CBD doesn’t possess the same ability. Instead, it alters the levels of internal cannabinoids and acts on other receptor sites.
-
Side Effects of CBD Oil for Cats
CBD may cause a few side effects in cats. When administered in the appropriate dose, you shouldn’t notice any major changes in your cat's behaviour.
The cannabinoid tends to produce a soothing effect in humans, and people are advised to slowly increase their dose to adjust to any sensations. The same applies to cats. You might notice that your pet becomes slightly more relaxed and less energetic after first introducing him or her to CBD.
To reduce any symptoms of lethargy, simply reduce the dosage. If need be, you can slowly work the dosage back up over time.
Rare side effects may include anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and changes in appetite. However, these effects are usually short-lived and mild.
CBD Treats for Cats
The popularity of CBD amongst cat owners has led to the emergence of a large and thriving market of CBD-infused pet treats. Giving CBD to cats has come a long way from dabbing some CBD oil onto a biscuit. Now, cats have the pleasure of chowing down on specially created products designed to enhance health and wellness.
Businesses within the United States—a country with a well-developed cannabis market—are setting the stage for the future of CBD products for cats. Here, hundreds of snacks, treats, and bites are available. Such products include salmon-flavoured treats containing 2mg of CBD per serving, tuna fish-infused offerings with 40mg of CBD, and a large range of relaxing chews.
How To Legally Obtain CBD Oil for Your Cat
Cat owners can legally purchase CBD pet products from specialised online and brick-and-mortar stores. However, CBD products for cats remain relatively rare outside of the United States. If you can’t access these items, you can administer other products, such as CBD oils. Just make sure you stay within the dosage guidelines recommended above.
