Cats and CBD Oil: Everything You Need to Know

Giving your cat CBD oil might sound strange but it could have substantial benefits for your pet. Here’s everything you should know about cats and CBD oil!

The relatively new CBD market is booming and is predicted to generate up to $16 billion by 2025. Users rave about CBD’s many benefits, from anxiety relief to pain relief to better sleep.

Humans aren’t the only ones with aches, pains, and anxiety. It’s not uncommon for cats to exhibit behavioral issues resulting from anxiety or aggression. And while they tend to hide it well, cats can develop health problems that cause pain or scary side effects like seizures.

If CBD helps people, can it also help cats? The answer is yes, but there’s more to cats and CBD oil that you should know before you start giving CBD to your feline friends.

Read on to have all of your questions regarding cats and CBD oil answered!

What is CBD Oil?

First, let’s talk about what CBD oil is. CBD is short for Cannabidiol, which is one of the many active compounds in cannabis.

We know what you’re thinking. Isn’t cannabis a psychoactive drug? Does that mean that CBD will get your cat high?

What you’re thinking of is THC, another compound in cannabis. CBD products contain little to no THC. The Cannabidiol has been isolated, and will not produce the psychoactive effects we associate with THC.

When you use CBD oil, you are actually taking a dose of highly concentrated Cannabidiol. CBD oil is made by passing a solvent like olive oil through a hemp plant, which then absorbs the CBD in the plant. When done properly, CBD oil is completely natural and non-toxic.

Can I Share My CBD Oil with My Cat?

It is not recommended that you share your personal CBD oil with your cat. For starters, the human body can process certain additives that the feline body cannot. CBD oil created for human consumption may contain things like flavored oils that are not good for cats.

Instead, your best bet is purchasing organic CBD oil for cats. While humans can safely consume CBD that was derived from the marijuana plant, cats cannot. CBD oil made for cats will come from the hemp plant.

These products were created with feline health and body chemistry in mind and are much safer to use than any CBD product that is marketed towards humans!

How Does CBD Oil Work?

Just like humans, cats have an endocannabinoid system, also known as the ECS. The ECS is made up of neurons in the brain. These neurons regulate some of the functions of the cardiovascular, nervous, and immune systems.

Taking CBD increases the number of endocannabinoids in the body. After the first week or two of taking regular doses of CBD, the effects will become more noticeable.

Why? Because you’re building up a stronger foundation for the ECS to do its job. When you’re low on endocannabinoid, certain functions of the body aren’t as regulated.

CBD supplements your ECS so that your body can better regulate things like sleep, pain, and anxiety. CBD, in other words, sends signals to these neurons in the brain to work harder at making you feel better.

What Can CBD Do for My Cat?

Because cats share the same ECS makeup as humans, many of the benefits CBD has for humans will work for cats, as well. CBD has been found to treat chronic mood conditions and lessen pain. It may also help to prevent certain health issues from setting in or worsening.

Before we get into all of these great benefits, we’d like to remind you that CBD is a supplement, not a full-blown solution. If you have concerns about your cat’s mental or physical health, you still need to take them to a vet.

If your vet prescribes medication, ask them about CBD before administering it to your cat. While CBD should not interact negatively with most medications, it’s important to make sure that CBD oil will be safe for your cat to consume.

Now, on to the benefits!

Cats and CBD Oil: Mental Health

Oftentimes, the behavioral issues we might see in a cat stem from anxiety or even depression. This can include fear, aggression, and an unwillingness to bathe and eat.

Mental health issues and humans and cats are largely tied to hormonal imbalance. When cats are given CBD oil, their mood, appetite, and sleeping patterns can become better regulated. CBD helps return their hormonal balance to a normal rate of production.

Not only will CBD lessen the levels of anxiety and depression in your cat but it will also boost their happiness. CBD oil actually stimulates the serotonin receptors in their brains.

Cats and CBD Oil: Physical Health

For starters, CBD oil can help cats suffering from chronic pain. Certain receptors in your cat’s brain regulate pain and swelling, which are no longer useful if you’re already aware of the problem causing pain and treating it.

CBD will actually communicate with pain receptors and prevent them from turning on. This will stop the brain from sending signals to your cat’s pain points that they should flare-up or swell.

CBD can ease the painful symptoms of arthritis and nerve pain. It can also reduce the inflammation associated with pancreatitis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease.

CBD oil is also great for cats that suffer from seizures. This is very exciting news, given that previously, very little could be done for cats in seizure.

Seizures are a reaction to electrical disruptions in the brain that abruptly change the brain’s activity. CBD can reduce the number of electrical disruptions that occur. This can both lower the frequency of seizures and lessen the severity of them when they do happen.

Finally, CBD can benefit cats who suffer from skin conditions or allergies that cause skin discomfort. If your cat has dry, itchy skin or has trouble maintaining their own coat, try applying CBD topically. CBD oil can soften skin and return moisture while also making the coat shinier and healthier!

How Do I Know How Much CBD to Give My Cat?

If you take CBD oil, yourself, you probably already know that determining an exact dosage per person is difficult. Our bodies are unique and will react differently to supplements. To some extent, it’s going to be a trial and error process (for both you and your kitty).

The longer your cat takes CBD, the more of a tolerance they will have for it. You may find that you have to increase the dosage slightly over time for your cat to continue to feel the effects.

That being said, starting low is the way to go. As you begin your CBD journey with your cat, watch their behavior closely to make sure they’re reacting well to their dosage. Look for side effects that may indicate that you need to lower their dosage.

Lower the Dosage if You Notice These Side Effects

The most common side effect of CBD in cats is drowsiness. If you’re trying to regulate your cat’s aggression or hyperactivity, you want them to reach a general state of calm. However, you don’t want them to be knocked out all the time!

Some very rare side effects of CBD are nausea, changes in appetite, and vomiting.

If you notice any of these side effects after introducing your cat to CBD or upping their dosage, cut back on the amount you are giving them. If they persist even after the dosage is lowered, you may want to discontinue the use of CBD until you talk to a vet.

A General Dosage Guide for Different Ailments

Although there’s no exact dosage that will work for every cat, there is a general guide you can follow if you’re giving your cat CBD for a certain ailment.

Overall, you probably shouldn’t give your cat more than 5 mg per 10 pounds. In other words, if your cat weighs 20 pounds, they should only take up to 10 mg per dosage.

For arthritis, asthma, and seizures, give your cat 0.5 mg of CBD per 2 pounds. For pancreatitis, try 0.1 mg of CBD per 2 pounds. Finally, for inflammatory bowel disease, try 0.2 mg of CBD per 2 pounds.

With all of these dosages, you can repeat them twice a day. For other ailments, discuss dosages with your vet and monitor your cat to find a dosage that works.

If your cat won’t take CBD orally from the tincture, you can put the drops on their food or in their water. Some people have even put CBD on their cat’s paws so that they will lick it off!

Cats and CBD Oil: Not a Bad Match!

As we’ve noted, it’s important that you include your vet in your cat’s CBD journey. That being said, cats and CBD oil go together quite well! With the right dosage, you may find your cat’s physical and mental health on the rise in a matter of days.

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