31 Aug CBD for Cats: What you need to know
Table of Contents
CBD for Cats: Is it safe?
What is it and how does it work?
SUMMARY
- CBD (cannabidiol) is an active compound present in the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa)
- Studies show that this hemp product may improve the symptoms of various conditions in cats, including stress, pain, and inflammation.
CBD FOR CATS
CBD is a popular wellness tool for people. But are you aware of a growing body of scientific evidence pointing to the potential of CBD for cats and other animals?
CBD is a naturally occurring hemp compound that’s safe and could present pet owners with an opportunity to amplify their cats’ wellness.¹ As more people learn about CBD’s non-intoxicating properties, they may consider using CBD for cats and reaping the rewards.
Let’s explore the topic of CBD for cats, its benefits, and how this hemp product could impact your pet’s life.
HOW DOES CBD OIL FOR CATS WORK?
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex cell signalling system found naturally in all animals, including humans.²
The ECS consists of three parts: the endocannabinoids or internal cannabinoids, cannabinoid (CB) receptors, and enzymes. The body produces endocannabinoids, which are neurotransmitters or messaging chemicals.
These compounds activate the cannabinoid receptors, releasing various chemicals to help the body remain in homeostasis or healthy balance.
Cannabinoid receptors are found throughout the body, which is why CBD and other plant-based cannabinoids have wide-reaching effects.
CB1 is the receptor primarily found in the brain and central nervous system, whereas CB2 receptors are sited in the liver and throughout the immune system.³
Unlike THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, CBD does not bind with CB receptors. Instead, it interacts indirectly with them. For this reason, CBD is not intoxicating. Researchers believe that the ECS plays a role in significant bodily functions involving the central nervous system, digestive system, endocrine system, and reproductive system.
CBD and the other phytocannabinoids hold the key to the ECS as, like the body’s endocannabinoids, they can interact with the CB receptors.³
THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF CBD FOR CATS
Owners can use CBD for their cat for conditions such as pain and anxiety.⁴
Research shows that CBD may also help with discomfort and inflammation³ and could improve your cat’s quality of life.⁵
TO REDUCE STRESS AND ANXIETY
Cats may be sensitive, and like their canine counterparts, they can become anxious and jumpy around new people or situations.
Changes in their food, home, and general surroundings can throw them off their typical form and increase their stress levels, which may then cause physical symptoms.
Your cat can’t tell you they feel stressed, but owners may notice changes in their body language and behaviour. Physical signs of stress include dilated pupils, high blood pressure, heavier breathing, and an elevated heart rate.
They may be anxious, refuse to enter or leave a particular area of the home or show changes in their eating and litter box habits.
Once a veterinarian rules out any potential medical issues, using CBD oil for cats with anxiety might be an option for your feline family member. Many pet owners use CBD oil for cats with anxiety because it’s an all-natural solution that vets may suggest⁴ because of its calming effects.
A significant advantage of CBD oil for cats with anxiety is that you can administer a dose directly before a stressful event. For example, if car rides and veterinary appointments are triggers for your cat, giving them a dose an hour before it’s time to leave your house can improve the experience for everyone.⁵ ⁶
CBD TO RELIEVE INFLAMMATION
Ageing is a part of life for people and pets. With increasing age, joint and muscle pain become more common.
Many consumers are turning to all-natural CBD oil to help with age-related inflammation.⁶ So, it isn’t surprising that pet owners can also see the potential for CBD to help their ageing cats.
Although more clinical studies are necessary to confirm the results, testimonials from veterinarians and pet owners are positive.
An excellent example of this is Mattie the cat and her owner, Dr Casara Andre, DVM, cVMA, founder and director of Veterinary Cannabis Education and Consulting in Colorado.
Her beloved cat Mattie had several health problems, including arthritis.⁵
She explained her experience to Today’s Veterinary Nurse.
“I really didn’t have any good options for her, so I tried a CBD-dominant tincture… I saw a difference, but it took about 6 weeks. I noticed small improvements in her appetite, willingness to interact, and small play attempts… It gave me my cat back, and gave Mattie 4 more amazing years.”
Dr Casara Andre
DVM, cVMA, founder and director of Veterinary Cannabis Education
CBD DOSAGE FOR CATS
WHEN COMBATING A SERIOUS AILMENT THE BEST WAY TO ADMINISTER IS UNDER THE TONGUE (SUBLINGUALLY) FOR FAST RESULTS. FOR EASY SUBLINGUAL DOSING, STAND FACING THE SAME WAY AS YOUR CAT AND GENTLY INSERT THE SYRINGE INTO THE SIDE OF THE MOUTH, WHICH WILL CAUSE YOUR CAT TO LICK AND ENABLE EASY UNDER-THE-TONGUE APPLICATION.
Included with all our CBD oils is a syringe for sublingual or oral dosing.
Pet owners should begin with a minimal dose of CBD oil to see how the pet reacts and if they experience any side effects.
We would recommend a lower daily dose of around 0.25 mg per 1kg/2lbs of weight, and then after two days increase this to a medium dose of 0.5 mg per kg while monitoring how the pet feels.
However, if your cat struggles with an ailment or pain, we recommend starting with the fuller dose of 1-2mg per kg/2lbs of body weight. One drop of our bespoke cat CBD oil contains 1.08 mg of CBD.
Consistency is key so once you have calculated your daily dose divide it across two doses morning and night.
For slow absorption, the oil can be mixed with food or dropped into the side of your cat’s mouth. For quick results, administer the oil drops under the tongue (sublingually). This will allow the CBD to be absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream than with other routes, such as consumption with food.
HOW MUCH CBD SHOULD I GIVE MY CAT?
| Cat dose is mg CBD per 1kg/2lbs of weight | ||
|---|---|---|
| Start Dose | Medium Dose | Full Dose |
| 0.25mg | 0.5mg | 1 – 2mg |
| Example Cat Weight of 5kg | ||
| Start Dose | Medium Dose | Full Dose |
| 1.25mg per day | 2.5mg per day | 5 – 10mg per day |
ARE CBD PRODUCTS SAFE FOR CATS?
Although using CBD for cats is a relatively new concept, and there is little information on the long-term effects on safety, research⁶ indicates that hemp-based CBD is safe for cats.
However, further work is needed to understand how well cats absorb CBD and how other cannabinoids and terpenes affect them.
Owners should exercise caution when choosing a CBD product for their cats. Added botanicals, scents, or colourings, even though safe and effective for humans, could be dangerous for pets.
The best CBD oil for cats contains no artificial ingredients or fillers and provides broad-spectrum bioactive compounds.
WHAT IS CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol. It’s one of over 100 bio-active chemical compounds known as cannabinoids produced by hemp plant flowers.
Each of these constituents has unique properties. Hemp is a strain of the Cannabis sativa plant that must contain less than 0.2% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the intoxicating component in cannabis that induces a “high.”
In contrast, CBD lacks this effect because of the way it’s metabolised. Unlike THC, cannabidiol is non-intoxicating and, therefore, safe for your pet. CBD exerts its effects in humans, dogs, and other animals because of the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
Scientists describe¹ the ECS as a complex network of neurotransmitters, receptors, and enzymes that help regulate essential bodily functions like mood, appetite, memory, inflammation, pain response, and the sleep-wake cycle.
HOW TO CHOOSE CBD FOR CATS
The best CBD oil for cats is from a trusted brand that meets the most recent regulations for hemp products.
Additionally, you should always verify the third-party laboratory results before buying CBD for cats.
The report, also known as a certificate of analysis, shows CBD and other cannabinoids in each product and any added ingredients. If you have any questions about CBD for cats or other concerns about this all-natural supplement, consider speaking with your veterinarian for further guidance.
CBD is currently being used as an all-encompassing term for hemp-derived cannabinoid products with high concentrations of CBD.
However, whole-plant extracts are broken into two groups, full-spectrum and broad-spectrum. Full-spectrum CBD products contain a mixture of naturally occurring plant extracts (such as terpenes and other cannabinoids) and up to 0.3% THC or more.
While broad-spectrum CBD products also contain many plant compounds, they are either completely free from THC or contain negligible (trace) amounts, i.e. less than 0.3%.
All Naturecan’s CBD products contain non-detectable levels (<0.01%) of THC.
CHECK OUT OUR PET WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PET CBD
Check out our other articles to learn about CBD for dogs, CBD for horses and CBD’s safety for pets.
Sources:
1. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-60172-6
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33356248/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25796592/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7399642/
5. https://todaysveterinarynurse.com/articles/cbd-for-dogs-and-cats-whats-new/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826847/
Her mission is to empower and educate people by bringing health matters to life with engaging, evidence-based writing steeped in science.
When she’s not typing madly, Zia enjoys travelling and chasing after her many dogs and horses.
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