CBD has gotten immensely popular in the past few years. The therapeutic benefits of CBD have been able to help millions of people without any over-the-counter medicine. Not only in human wellness, but it has also made a powerful impact in pet care. Many cats and dogs owners are giving their pets CBD daily to improve their health and wellbeing. But as a parent of a cat, you always want the best for them. So, you might have a lot of questions. Is CBD safe for cats? How does it work? What are its benefits or side effects? We understand your concern for your feline friend, and we help you learn more about CBD here. You can buy CBD for cats online from dedicated websites.
What is CBD?
Cannabis plants like hemp and marijuana contain more than a hundred cannabinoids. CBD or cannabidiol is one of them. It has no mind-altering effects. THC or delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol is responsible for the psychoactive effects of marijuana. CBD has various therapeutic benefits. According to Farm Bill 2018, hemp-derived CBD (contains less than 0.3% THC) is legal in the United States. Remember, CBD oil and hemp oil are two different things. CBD is available in various forms in the market. Like, CBD oil, tinctures, topicals, capsules, gummies, other edibles, and beverages, etc.
Why do people use CBD oil for cats?
Cat owners always try to keep their pets healthy and safe. Many over-the-products have serious side effects. CBD is organic and plant-based; it also has lesser side effects. So, many cat owners like to give CBD a shot. But remember, CBD is not a replacement for medicines. CBD activates the endocannabinoid system or ECS in mammals. ECS controls many crucial functions of our body. Like mood, anxiety, stress, appetite, skin health, memory, pain, and inflammation. Cats also have an ECS like other mammals so CBD works for them too.
What are the benefits of using CBD for cats?
Anxiety in Cats:
Yes, like humans, cats can get anxious too. They may be born with the quality, or it could happen due to abandonment or abuse issues they are suffering. As a parent, it hurts you to see your little kitty suffer from anxiety issues. CBD reduces stress and makes your cat calm; also, it helps reduce anxiety and any other issues due to stress. CBD helps them relax and puts them in a better mood. Its anti-anxiety effects work on cats too.
To hold the peace in the household:
If you have more than one pet in your household, you know it can get messy sometimes. The friction of your dog with your cat or a new cat with older ones is usual. It can help if you try to introduce your cat in a multi-step introduction process. CBD can also help smooth the initial or introductory phase. As previously stated, CBD can help calm them down, which helps get them through the initial tension. It puts them in a better mood, and they can coexist peacefully.
Discomforts in felines:
As your little kitty grows up and grows old, he suffers from various bone losses, mobility issues, degenerative diseases, joint pains, and inflammations. These problems cause discomfort for them. Aging causes a lot of issues for them as it does for us. While there is no way we can cycle it back, we can help them cope with CBD. CBD can help manage these aches and discomforts; it reduces inflammation and improves their quality of life altogether. The World Health Organization said that CBD is safe and alleviates pain for both humans and animals.
Seizures:
The abnormal firing of neurons in the brain can cause seizures in your cats. Seeing your cat having a Seizure is a painful experience. Consult your vet immediately, and determine the cause of the Seizure. You can ask your vet if you can use CBD for cats to reduce the frequency and severity of Seizures. The dosage is also crucial to treat seizures with CBD. The only FDA-approved CBD-based drug Epidolex is a medicine for Epilepsy (a type of Seizure). Typically, doctors prescribe CBD twice a day to reduce seizures, but the dosage amount varies from one another.
Dementia:
Your cat can also suffer from dementia; as they age. The brain functions can slow down with old age. Sometimes they start screaming or howling for no reason and feel distressed and confused. CBD activates the ECS, which controls memory functions. So, CBD helps treat dementia in cats. CBD also has various neuroprotective properties; it can regenerate brain cells and increase neuroplasticity. These brain-boosting effects help them fight dementia.
Is CBD safe for cats?
In general, yes. CBD is safe to use for cats. But there is very little research on how CBD affects cats. We do not know much about how it works in the body or what the side effects are. The cat's parents are happy with the result. So, we are giving the benefit of the doubt for now. But we need more studies, research, and clinical trial trials to know more about CBD and its effects on cats. The cat parents have noticed some minimal side effects like:
- Sleepiness
- Tiredness
- Changes in appetite
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Elevated levels of enzymes in the liver, intestines, and kidneys, etc.
If you are giving your cat any medicines whatsoever, consult your vet before giving them CBD. If any of the previously stated issues occurs and persists for a few days, seek medical help immediately.
So, as per user reports, the effects of CBD are healthy on cats. It is best to take the vet's advice before giving your pet CBD. You have to buy a high-quality CBD product for your cat. Your feline friend only deserves the best. Buy a pet-graded CBD product; you can choose from CBD oil, tinctures, cat treats, etc. You can mix CBD oil or CBD tincture with food to give them the daily dose of CBD. Measure the dosage of CBD for your cat carefully. It depends on a few factors like the body weight, age, potency of the product, and desired effects. So, choose a product wisely and give your cat the goodness of CBD.
