Can Cats Take CBD Oil?
When cats get sick, their owners take them to the vet or give them medicine. With medicine expanding its horizons, people are turning to more natural remedies and alternative treatments for their cats. Some people even look into CBD to help their cats.
Growing evidence suggests that CBD and other active substances in cannabis plants can help with various illnesses. Cat owners want the best for their cats, so SUPA Naturals offers organic, high potency CBD oil for cats and other pets. Numerous studies of CBD on humans show positive results, but can cats take CBD oil, or is it just for humans?
What Is CBD Oil?
According to Pet MD, CBD oil comes from cannabis plants. It’s a form of hemp extract containing an active compound called cannabidiol. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of over 100 active compounds in cannabis plants.
Like a vitamin, CBD oil helps regulate health, mood, sleep, and most importantly, pain as you use it over time.
Another compound in cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. This is the psychoactive ingredient of marijuana that makes people feel high. CBD products have a very low to nonexistent concentration of THC, so they won’t have any psychoactive effects on you or your pet.
According to Pet MD, there are not many traditional medical studies exploring the effects of CBD on cats, but holistic veterinarians believe it can increase comfort and improve your cat’s quality of life. While CBD will not cure your cat’s ailments, it can help them drastically with comfort and pain levels.
How Does CBD Oil Work?
According to Pet MD and Austin and Kat, all animals have endocannabinoid systems that produce chemicals called endocannabinoids. These natural substances are similar to the cannabinoids found in marijuana and hemp.
Endocannabinoids tell the body what is going on and how to react to things like pain. When an animal’s system becomes overwhelmed and their endocannabinoids can’t react appropriately to an abnormal amount of stress, CBD oil can stabilize it and bring it back to homeostasis.
CBD oil is used for therapeutic purposes. It has no psychoactive effects and does not get users “high,” like an edible with marijuana would. CBD oil can help your cat with more than just pain.
How Does CBD Work for Cats?
Can cats take CBD oil? Cats are animals just like humans, so they have an endocannabinoid system. Sometimes their endocannabinoid system might need help, and medicine alone can’t do it.
Austin and Kat states that there are reports of cats who never wanted to be touched suddenly starting to cuddle with their owners and felines with arthritis moving around more after taking CBD. You may also notice your cat becoming more playful.
CBD appears to be effective and safe for cats, like dogs. However, it is absorbed and eliminated differently for cats than dogs, so the doses are not the same. You should also never allow your cat to eat the whole marijuana plant.
The Benefits of CBD Oil for Cats
Can cats take CBD oil? The answer is “yes,” but what benefits can you expect? According to Austin and Kat, CBD is a natural anti-inflammatory, so it can help your furry friend with illnesses that involve inflammation. The benefits of CBD oil for cats include:
- Assists with chronic pain and infection
- Eases depression and anxiety
- Reduces fear and timidness
- Prevents the growth and survival of cancer cells
- Reduces the effects of various skin diseases and makes their coat softer and healthier
- Helps with inflammatory bowel disease
- Alleviates pain
- Supports urinary tract health
- Treats asthma, arthritis, and upper respiratory infections
- Treats neurological disorders like seizures and epilepsy
- Regulates mood
- Eases inflammation
- Helps your cat sleep better
- Assists with tendonitis issues and helps with mobility
- Reduces the tendency for other diseases to arise
SUPA Naturals carries CBD pet products called Bailey’s Best that work for cats and other pets. You can try our Full Spectrum CBD Oil for Pets, topical Full Spectrum CBD Boo Boo Butter, and peanut butter-flavored pet treats with CBD.
How to Give CBD Oil to Cats
Poop Bags suggests gradually introducing CBD to your cat mixed into their meals, as the CBD oil works best with some food in their stomach. How much CBD oil cats need depends on their weight and health conditions, so consult your veterinarian. Approximate dosages include:
- 2 to 4 mg per 10 pounds of cat with mild conditions, according to Austin and Kat
- 4 to 6 mg per 10 pounds of cat with cancer or seizures, according to Austin and Kat
- For issues like asthma or arthritis, give 0.5 mg twice a day, according to Poop Bags
- For mild conditions, give 0.1 mg twice a day and gradually work your way up to 0.5 mg twice a day, according to Poop Bags
- For inflammatory bowel disease, give 0.2mg twice a day, according to Poop Bags
- For severe upper respiratory infection, give five milligrams twice a day, according to Poop Bags
Every cat is different, so consult your veterinarian before deciding how much CBD to give your cat. If you need to lower the dosage or increase it, be sure to tell your veterinarian.
Typically, the more complex and severe the condition has on the cat, the more CBD your cat will need. It is best to start small and increase the dosage over time.
Note that these dosages are higher than the recommended dosages for dogs relative to their weight. That’s because cats have fewer cannabinoid receptors, so they need more CBD to get the same effects.
How can cats take CBD oil? Cats usually prefer CBD oil in their food, and they may not even notice they are consuming it. Cats are usually not fond of having their owners put the CBD directly into their mouths or having their mouths touched. You can also use topical CBD products for your cat, which is helpful for pain relief and skin issues.
Keep in mind that CBD takes about 15 to 45 minutes to take effect in your cat’s system. The effects last about four to six hours, depending on your cat’s size, breed, activity level, and ailments.
How to Store CBD Oil
You can safely store CBD inside a refrigerator, but it depends on the situation and the CBD oil quality. Proper storage is key to keeping efficiency in CBD.
Which CBD Oil Should Your Cat Use?
CBD oil often comes mixed with other ingredients to make it flavorful and nutritious. Cats are more likely to eat a more palatable CBD solution than a generic medicine that does not taste good. SUPA Naturals’ Full Spectrum CBD Oil for Pets comes in a delicious bacon flavor your furry friend will love. We also have a honey recipe to try and tips on mixing CBD with your favorite recipes.
For your cats, Austin and Kat suggest avoiding CBD with coconut oil because cats are carnivorous animals, and they can’t process plant-based fats as humans can. Instead, try a CBD oil infused with sardine oil for your cat. If you must get a CBD oil that uses a coconut base, get one that has a low concentration of coconut so your cat doesn’t ingest too much of it.
If you still wonder what you should give your cat, SUPA Naturals has an online quiz to help make that decision easier.
So, Is CBD Oil Safe for Cats?
If you consult your veterinarian first and gradually introduce your cat to CBD, CBD oil is safe for cats. Side effects of CBD are very mild, with minor or negligible effects. Every cat differs in composition and genetic makeup, so their tolerance level and reaction will vary.
CBD has proven to help not just humans but pets as well. Even if your cat is already on prescribed medication or an over-the-counter medicine, Poop Bags states that CBD oil can improve their condition and boost their overall health.
The Legalities of CBD Oil
While CBD is safe for humans and cats, many people question whether it’s legal. According to Pet MD, CBD oil contains less than 0.3% THC. Therefore, it’s classified as hemp, which is not a restricted substance.
Although CBD is legal throughout the US, it could be illegal for your veterinarian to discuss this topic with you, so exercise caution and look into CBD where you live.
Activists, doctors, and veterinarians are trying to change these laws. Discussing all viable options with your veterinarian is crucial to your pet’s health and should be available.
SUPA Naturals Has CBD Oil That Is Safe for Cats
If you ever wondered, “Can cats take CBD oil?” there’s nothing to worry about. While CBD probably won’t heal your cat completely, it can tremendously improve their ailments. SUPA Naturals has organic, full-spectrum, non-GMO CBD products that can help your cat live a long, healthy, pain-free, and happy life.
