Is CBD oil safe for cats? What sorts of ailments does it treat? Read on to learn the dos and don’ts for using CBD products for cats.
It’s true that CBD products have quickly gained popularity as a natural and alternative treatment in humans to pharmaceuticals and the like. So is it logical to assume that it will benefit our feline friends as well—or are we getting ahead of ourselves?
In this article, we’re going to talk about all of that and more. Keep reading to find out the answer to the question is CBD oil safe for cats?
Is CBD Oil Safe for Cats?
There is a lot of speculation in regards to the effectiveness of CBD as a form of alternative treatment. Research is still in its early stages since the Farm Bill only just passed in 2018. However, the question of the product’s safety for our furry friends is a less traversed question.
When something is safe for humans, it’s generally assumed to be safe for our furry friends as well. So, are cats and CBD oil a safe mix?
If there’s one thing we know, it’s that THC and the Cannabis plant as a whole are not safe for cats to ingest. However, CBD oil for cats gets the green light.
Aside from speaking with a trusted and well-informed veterinarian, learning more about CBD oil and its use on animals will further help to put you at ease if you’re considering it for your beloved Mr. Jingles.
What Exactly Is CBD Oil?
CBD itself is the shorthand for Cannabidiol—which is one of over 120+ chemical compounds found within the Cannabis Sativa plant. More specifically, it’s harvested from the hemp variety since the composition of the hemp plant only provides 0.03% of the THC compound.
While CBD is a chemical compound found within this plant, it is a nonpsychoactive compound, which means it does not cause the famous euphoric high that THC produces.
That 0.03% is an essential number in legal CBD products, as that is the bare minimum of THC allowed. For humans who live in states where medical and/or recreational THC is legal, there are CBD products available with higher concentrations of THC. Of course, since we’ve established that THC is toxic to pets, it’s important only to purchase pet grade CBD products.
CBD oil is a tincture made by extracting the compound from the plant and diluting it in a fat-soluble carrier oil, such as MCT, hemp, or coconut oil. The method by which the tincture is taken is the sublingual method. This means that it is held under the tongue for a certain amount of time so that it can be absorbed into the bloodstreams via tiny capillaries.
Of course, your kitty probably won’t understand the concept of this method, and so you can discuss with your veterinarian how to get the CBD oil into your ailing feline.
How Will CBD Benefit My Cat?
Cats, dogs, and humans have what is called an endocannabinoid system. This is the very system in which CBD carries out a number of health benefits. As mentioned before, there aren’t a whole lot of studies out there about CBD oil and cats. But more often than not, CBD is recommended for the following conditions:
- Anxiety (all forms)
- Aggression
- Appetite loss
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Inflammation
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBS)
- Infections
- Lack of energy
- Seizures
CBD is largely known for its therapeutic properties. These would include it being an analgesic and an anti-inflammatory. Through the endocannabinoid system, CBD targets the root causes of various symptoms as well as fight them.
What’s even better is that CBD has little to no side effects. It may cause a change in appetite, nausea or drowsiness—but that’s nothing compared to the negative side effects we all know from traditional modern medicine.
How Do I Determine the Dosage of CBD Oil for My Cat?
CBD oil dosage can be a little tricky at first because just like humans, no two cats are the same. Not to mention, they’re much smaller than us, which means they will require much less.
When you purchase a CBD oil specifically made for cats, you’re going to want to read the directions thoroughly as well as get directions from your veterinarian. The general rule of thumb in CBD dosing for cats is about 0.1-0.5 mg per kg.
In addition to this general rule, remember to start small and give your cat time to adjust. As we said, no two kitties are the same, and the condition they have comes into play here. It also may take time to kick in, so it’s best to wait about a week or so before increasing the dosage.
Here’s a general dosing guideline for your cat:
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBS): 0.2 mg twice daily
- Arthritis: 0.5 mg twice daily
- Chronic infections: 5 mg twice daily
- Seizures: 0.5 mg twice daily—increase dosage gradually. The maximum dosage can reach up to 3 mg per kg of your cat.
To give your cat their dosage you can administer the CBD oil straight from the dropper into their mouth. If they won’t take it this way, you can put the dosage on their paw, where they’ll lick it off. If all else fails, you can add it to their wet food or look into CBD edibles made for pets.
Is CBD Oil Right for Your Cat?
If you’re trying to decide if CBD oil is right for your cat, the first thing you want to do is talk to your veterinarian. Keep in mind that this is still a fairly new phenomenon, and your veterinarian may not be well-informed on the is CBD oil safe for cats front.
It may be a good idea to venture out and find a holistic vet with the proper knowledge and experience on the subject, just for a second opinion.
If you found this article helpful, then check back with us daily for more on the subject of CBD and pets as well as other interesting studies in veterinary science.
