Suppose your furry friend currently has an illness or disease. In that case, chances are you want to switch to more natural and cheaper alternative treatments than the expensive ones offered by your veterinarian. Cannabis oil, specifically cats CBD oil is one of the most popular treatments chosen by pet owners.
Since some people are using cannabis as a natural treatment for their health concerns, it is not surprising that pet owners also choose it for their dogs and cats.
The effectiveness and health benefits of cannabis or CBD oil for pets still need more research. However, there's quite a lot of scientific evidence that the potential side effects of CBD products on human beings' general health are considered generally safe.
So, is CBD oil a safe treatment for the health problems of your feline friends, especially cats?
Read on to find out about its potential benefits and side effects on your pet's health below!
What is CBD oil?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the cannabinoids discovered in the hemp plant. There are almost 144 of them, together with the now famous tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
However, unlike its relative THC, CBD has no psychoactive effects and hence does not affect consciousness or perception.
In addition, CBD, like other cannabinoids, affects the endocannabinoid system, which is made up of cannabinoid receptors spread throughout your body. These receptors regulate vital physiological functions such as sleep, hunger, stress, acidity, temperature, etc.
As a result, CBD oil's effects on humans and pets, such as sleep, anxiety, inflammation, body weight, blood pressure, gastrointestinal upset, osteoarthritis, and more, are currently being examined extensively.
Moreover, CBD oil is made up of the following ingredients:
- Fatty oils such as olive oil, vegetable oil, coconut oil are included to increase the CBD oil's absorption and give it more health benefits.
- A CBD-rich hemp extract
Remember that vegetable oil is used to improve CBD oil's absorption by the body. This is because your body can absorb CBD oil quicker with the help of this fatty ingredient, which improves its action and length of presence in your blood.
The health benefits of using CBD oil for cats
CBD oil is supposed to be beneficial for pets such as dogs and cats in the same way for people. However, there is only a little research to back up these claims. If you decide to offer your cat CBD oil, you should proceed with caution. In any instance, you should always consult your cat's veterinarian first.
Owners of cats have reported the following benefits of using CBD products such as CBD oil:
- Chronic pain relief
- Reduced anxiety and stress
- Calming effect
- Lesser seizure frequency
- Appetite improvement
- Controlled digestion
- Faster hearing of minor wounds
- Shinier and thicker cat coat
- Better immune system
- Aids in the treatment of cancer
CBD for anxiety and fear
CBD oil is often used to alleviate anxiety and fear in cats. However, no published research has been done on this topic, so the claims that CBD oil helps dogs and cats with anxiety and fear are only anecdotal.
CBD for seizures and epilepsy
The marijuana plant has been studied as a potential treatment for epilepsy and seizures in both humans and dogs. A 2019 canine research experiment showed that 89% of the dogs that received CBD during the trial experienced fewer seizures.
CBD for pain
The treatment of pain and inflammation is one of the most prevalent reasons CBD oil usage is popular for cats. CBD has anti-inflammatory qualities, suggesting that CBD may aid cats with pain, especially those suffering from osteoarthritis.
CBD for cancer
Some people believe that CBD can reduce or stop cancer cells from growing in the body. Vets have seen evidence that CBD may assist cats with cancer, either by decreasing cancer development, boosting hunger, or increasing survival time. Overall, CBD improves the cat's general quality of life and sense of well-being.
CBD for kidney disease
CBD may aid cats with kidney disease by reducing unpleasant symptoms like nausea. However, make sure that you always visit your veterinarian first before giving your cat any supplement, including CBD oil.
Steps to consider before giving your pet CBD
CBD oil appears beneficial and soothing to pets such as cats and dogs, just as it is to humans. However, a veterinarian should be consulted to determine the right cat or dog CBD and their dose. CBD and its effects on the endocannabinoid system of your cats and dogs is a big subject that is still being researched.
Thus, before you administer such products derived from the marijuana plant, make sure to consider the steps below:
Consult your veterinarian
First and foremost, a trip to the veterinarian is required to ensure that your cat is safe to take products made from cannabis plants and prevent any adverse reaction.
As an animal health expert, your veterinarian will be able to assess whether your pet needs a broad spectrum CBD. Your veterinarian will then tailor his prescription as per your cats' or dogs' metabolism and physique.
In addition, if your cat is currently receiving therapy, your veterinarian will be able to advise you which CBD products are best to use or what brand or type of CBD oil is most compatible with your pets.
Assess the best dosage to give to your cat when taking CBD oil
When assessing for the best CBD oil dosage to give to your cat, always start with lower dosages. Like with humans, lower doses are recommended to ensure that your cat is coping well with the medication initially.
If your cat adapts well, that means the CBD works, and you and your veterinarian can advise you to progressively raise the doses, which you can also put on cat food.
If your pets are dogs, the dosage will be mostly determined by their weight and the disease that has to be alleviated. The smaller your pet is, and the less severe their disease is, the lower the effective starting dose should be. However, most respectable pet CBD product manufacturers offer products with dose recommendations based on weight or height categories.
Give the CBD oil to your cat.
Once you have bought a CBD for cats, the next step is to give the product to your cat and observe the side effects of CBD on your pet.
As a cat owner, you are the only one responsible for ensuring that their endocannabinoid system is safe and functional. You should follow the CBD products' suggestions for use, depending on the oil you have chosen for your cat.
The CBD oil for cats can be used in two ways: as a spray or as drops. If you opt for drops, just put them directly in the mouth of the cats. But if the cats don't want to take the oil directly, you can spray their food with CBD oil.
Frequently asked questions about CBD oil for pets.
Many pet owners are turning to CBD oil to treat a range of health issues in their cats and dogs. Some claim that it treats every health ailment, from cancer to arthritis. If you are one of those who are thinking of using CBD for your pets, you probably have many questions going inside your mind now.
Take a look at some of the most common questions about using CBD oil for pets below and see if we can answer some of your inquiries.
Is the CBD oil used for cats different from the ones humans use?
No. CBD oil for people and CBD oil for dogs and cats differ significantly in two ways. First is the absence of terpenes. Scientists discovered that terpenes, a natural chemical contained in the flower or bud of the cannabis plant, are poisonous to cats and can even kill them.
Many CBD product producers have opted to eliminate terpenes from their CBD oil for pets, even though there hasn't been much additional study on the subject.
The second difference is the CBD oil scent. CBD oil for cats can be enhanced by adding other distinct scents to boost the aroma of the food so that your cat is more inclined to eat it.
Are there side effects or adverse reactions if I give CBD oil to my cat?
There are potential adverse effects when giving CBD oil to your cat, just like with any other alternative medicine. CBD oils are generally well accepted by dogs and cats when used according to your veterinarian's instructions.
However, some cat owners have reported their pets to be unusually tired. Other probable CBD oil adverse effects include gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea or vomiting. Cat owners usually notice these adverse CBD side effects after a harsh introduction of CBD oil into their cat's diet.
How much CBD oil should I give to my pet?
It would be best if you invariably gave your cat the proper dosage of CBD oil. You can do this by carefully adding a small CBD oil dosage to the cat food. Don't try to hasten the process by feeding your pet a lot of CBD oil right away.
Instead, it is suggested that you introduce the oil gradually to your pet. This ensures that your pet can get the same effect connected with using the oil without suffering any adverse side effects of CBD.
In addition, do not forget to always shop for a high-quality product to ensure that the CBD product is safe for your cat. Remember that CBD products for pets are not always safe because they can be bought over the counter.
Is CBD oil safe for cats?
The usefulness and safety of CBD oil in pets, particularly cats, are backed by little research. Although studies have been done on using CBD for pets, most of it has been done on dogs.
Because dogs and cats metabolize medications and chemicals differently, additional study in cats is necessary to learn whether CBD oil has adverse effects on them.
Will my cat get high from CBD?
The oil will not get your cat high if you use CBD or hemp products with less than 0.3 percent THC.
THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, is present in tiny levels in CBD products. However, most CBD products contain less than 0.3% THC, especially those sold in the United States.
This is because CBD products must contain less than 0.3% THC to be categorized as "industrial hemp" and be tagged as legal in the eyes of the US federal government. However, although CBD products with less than 0.3% THC will not get your cat high, some cats may feel lethargic or somewhat sedated when given such products.
Can cats be allergic to CBD?
Allergic reactions to CBD are possible for cats. This is because cats are sensitive to practically any chemical. Stop using CBD immediately if you see any allergic response or adverse effects such as facial swelling, trouble breathing, vomiting, hives, diarrhea, lethargy, or seizures.
Is it legal to give CBD to my pets?
In most European nations, CBD is legal, but the rules governing cannabis products in the United States differ dramatically from state to state.
CBD oil for pets in the United States is legal in all 50 states as long as the CBD product contains less than 0.3% THC. However, the regulations governing veterinarians prescribing cannabis products for their patients also differ depending on the state.
In some states, vets are not allowed to tell or show CBD's medicinal benefits to their patients. While in other states, vets are only allowed to address the usage of cannabis products, including CBD products, only if a patient brings it up.
Looking for the best CBD product for cats?
Are you on the search for the best CBD products to give to your furry friends? Check out all our CBD products for pets here at Apotheca! Visit our website and see which item best fits your pets' needs.
