Using CBD Oil for Cats

A few years ago, the idea of CBD oil for cats might sound crazy. But CBD has exploded in popularity since 2018. Today, people use it because they say it improves their mood, get sleep, and helps manage a variety of health symptoms. Many people who have benefited from CBD products have wondered if these products could benefit their cat as well.

Using CBD oil for cats may help them in many of the same ways that it helps humans. So, if you’re interested in introducing CBD to your cat, but you still have some questions, you can find more information below.

How Does CBD Impact Cats?

Humans, cats, and other animals have an endocannabinoid system in their bodies. This system produces endocannabinoids, which are molecules that can attach to your cells. Endocannabinoids are able to send messages across the body, influencing motor activity, pain perception, short-term memory, and many other bodily functions.

CBD is able to interact with the endocannabinoid system, which means it may also impact these processes. While researchers don’t have a complete understanding of how CBD influences the ECS, experts currently believe that it keeps endocannabinoids from breaking down. In turn, this improves communication throughout your body.

While humans and cats are very different, they’re similarly impacted by CBD. Still, research suggests that not all animals absorb CBD in the same way (1). And that’s why it’s important to carefully monitor their CBD dosage and select products specially formulated for cats.

How Can CBD Oil Benefit Cats?

CBD is often used for cats that suffer from chronic anxiety. CBD may have a soothing effect on cats and can improve their mood. Because it could lessen anxiety symptoms, it may also improve behavioral issues in cats. Many cats are happier and more relaxed once they start taking CBD.

Another common usage for CBD is to help manage pain. Not only does CBD have anti-inflammatory properties, but early research suggests its benefits for animals with osteoarthritis. (2) Arthritis is extremely common in older cats, impacting nearly 90% of cats over the age of 12. CBD can give pet owners a way to manage their pet’s pain and keep them comfortable and happy.

CBD can also help pet owners to manage osteoarthritis symptoms on a long-term basis. Using CBD consistently could lead to improvements in joint mobility. It won’t be able to cure your cat’s arthritis, but it could limit the impact that it has on your pet’s day-to-day life.

Not only can CBD address specific health issues, but it may improve your cat’s general sense of wellness. Thanks to the way CBD influences the ECS, it can help the entire body to operate more efficiently. CBD can help a cat to maintain a comfortable body temperature and an appropriate fluid balance.

Is It Safe to Use CBD Oil for Cats?

There has been limited research on the use of CBD for cats, which makes it difficult to say if it’s completely safe for their use. However, current data shows that it is likely to be safe. Several studies have demonstrated that CBD can have a positive effect on dogs, reducing seizure frequency and other adverse health symptoms. (3) This suggests that it’s likely to be safe for felines as well.

Some pet owners have reported that their cats experienced side effects after CBD usage, such as drowsiness or indigestion. But these side effects appear to occur when you give your pet a higher dose of CBD. That’s why it’s best to give your pet a low dosage and to monitor them closely afterwards.

It’s also important to discuss CBD with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on CBD dosage and can inform you if CBD has the potential to interact with any medications that your pet is on. While you should show caution, you shouldn’t be afraid to try giving CBD for your cat.

How Can You Choose the Right CBD Oil for Your Cat?

There’s very little regulatory oversight for CBD products, and because of this, you’ll need to be careful when selecting products for your cat. Low-quality products may contain additives or even contaminants. Cats are very sensitive to toxins, which means you’ll want to avoid these products completely.

It’s best to select products that are specifically designed for cats. Not only do these products primarily contain CBD, but they use carrier oils that won’t harm cats, like MCT or coconut oils. If possible, you should select a product that has a quality seal from the National Animal Supplements Council. Products with this seal have met specific standards.

You can also look at lab reports before using CBD oil for cats. Lab reports will provide information about the terpenes in a product and will also inform you of the product’s THC levels. These reports can be a great way to assess the purity and quality of a product before introducing it to your pet.

How Do You Give CBD Oil to Your Cat?

Cats can be picky eaters, which means it can be difficult to dose your cat with CBD oil. If you haven’t introduced your cat to CBD, you may want to try direct feeding. Hold a dropper with a few drops of CBD near your cat. Your cat may lick the dropper, which means you’ll be able to give them CBD right away.

If your cat doesn’t seem interested in the dropper, you can try mixing CBD in your cat’s food. Prepare the food as normal, then add the appropriate dosage of CBD to the food. Stir the food to ensure that the CBD is distributed evenly throughout the food.

If your cat doesn’t always finish its meals, you can try adding CBD to its preferred cat treats instead. Just spread the oil across the treats and present them to your cat. To make things easier, you can also try purchasing CBD-infused cat treats.

How Can You Find The Appropriate Dosage?

If your cat is new to CBD, it’s best to start with a very low dosage. Not all cats have the same number of receptors, which means it may take some experimentation to find a dose that works for your cat. Begin with a low dose, and if it doesn’t seem to help, you can work your way up to a higher dosage.

As a rule of thumb, cats should be given between 1-5mg of CBD per 10 pounds of weight. If you’re not sure what your cat’s current weight is, you should weigh your cat before introducing CBD. Typically, you’ll see results within 60 minutes. If you do not see a change in your cat after an hour, you can try a higher dosage.

If you’re using CBD as a pain reliever, you can dose your cat every eight hours. If you’re giving your cat CBD for other reasons, it’s best to limit dosing to once to twice per day. If your cat shows any negative side effects, you should discontinue use of CBD products until you’re able to talk to your vet.

You should be aware that your cat may develop a tolerance to CBD over time, which means that you may need to increase their dosage in the future. Keep track of the dosage you’re giving your cat and write down any changes in dosage.

It’s not unusual for cats to be plagued by anxiety or health issues, such as a loss of mobility or chronic pain. These problems are particularly common in senior cats. By using CBD oil for cats, you’ll be able to relieve adverse health symptoms and improve your pet’s quality of life.

1. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/9/10/832
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6065210/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31067185/