In the last few years, the popularity of CBD oil has skyrocketed, even among pet owners.
While dog owners dominate here in the United States, still, in America, 29% of pet owners have cats.
Many cat owners are considering using CBD oil for their cats, but are CBD cat treats safe for your kitty? And when is the appropriate time to give CBD treats?
If you’re a cat owner, and you’re interested in learning more about CBD for cats, keep reading!
What Is CBD?
You’ve likely seen CBD or CBD oil all over the wellness industry, whether it’d be on the news or even bottles on the shelves of grocery stores. So, you’re probably wondering, what is CBD?
To start, CBD is an acronym for cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is a cannabinoid that’s present in the hemp plant, which is part of the cannabis family.
One of the things that make CBD confusing is that some people believe that it can you high because hemp and marijuana are related. However, THC, the cannabinoid found in marijuana, can produce psychosomatic effects. So, CBD cannot get you – or your cat – high.
CBD is legal in many states, but some might have stipulations. Be sure to check the requirements for your state before you make a purchase.
CBD is safe for humans and only produces mild side effects if any and is used to manage many conditions like:
- Chronic pain
- Improve heart health
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Acne
- Seizures
- Calming symptoms of cancer treatments such as nausea
While studies are limited and ongoing with CBD oil, the results look promising; however, further research is needed.
CBD Cat Treats: What You Need to Know
CBD is safe for adults, dogs, and it’s also safe for cats, but only according to anecdotal evidence. Dogs will metabolize foods differently than cats so that is something to remember as well.
There are still many other things to explore about CBD oil for cats. Let’s explore what they are.
What to Treat
CBD can help with many of the same medical problems in cats that are in humans. Although, CBD mostly helps with pain, anxiety, increasing appetite, and other inflammatory diseases.
Dosing
The dosing of CBD is extremely important because you don’t want to give your cat too much or you don’t know how they’ll react. Generally speaking, you’ll want to start with the lowest dose first and increase the dose as needed without exceeding the daily recommended dose.
If you notice your cat acting strangely, stop giving the CBD and see if the behavior changes.
Be in Contact With Your Vet
You’ll want to speak to your vet about whether or not you should incorporate CBD into your cat’s daily regimen.
Some cats may have conditions that are incompatible with CBD, or they may be on certain medications that might counteract their current medications. Always consult your vet before making any medical decisions.
Methods
If your cat is cleared for CBD by your vet, there are a variety of CBD methods to choose from! If your vet is a CBD-friendly vet, they might have some suggestions.
There are roughly three different methods of using CBD:
Tinctures are CBD mixed with alcohol or different flavorings. Tinctures are popular because you can measure out the exact dosage.
Capsules contain a fixed amount of CBD and maybe breakable to allow you to put CBD in your cat’s food or mouth.
CBD edibles are foods or snacks that are injected with a specific amount of CBD oil. CBD cat treats would be classified as pet edibles.
While you can buy a CBD product that’s manufactured for adults, there are also CBD products created for pets – dogs and cats in particular. It will be easier for you to measure out the dosage with a CBD product that’s specially formulated for a cat.
Pay Attention to Ingredients
Even if you choose a CBD product that’s designed for cats, you still need to pay close attention to the ingredients to ensure the safety of your cat.
A quick word about edibles: while they are convenient, and you’ll likely walk away without a scratch of the objection, be careful not to give too many. Overdosing isn’t the problem, but about calorie consumption. You want to keep the calorie count within a healthy range daily.
Side Effects
Similar to humans, the side effects in cats are minimal.
When given in large doses, CBD may cause drowsiness or nausea, but these were not enough to cause significant problems. If you suspect or see any side effects, you can lower the dosage or stop giving your cat CBD.
Cautions
Because CBD is a hot commodity right now, even among pet owners, several companies are compromising the quality of their CBD oil. This means that the CBD oil you purchase may have little to no CBD in it at all. CBD is not currently regulated by the FDA.
Here are a few things to consider before you purchase CBD oil for your cat.
Look for a National Animal Supplements Council seal (NASC) that ensures quality and third-party testing.
As mentioned before, you can purchase a CBD oil designed for humans, but your best bet is to buy one that’s made for cats due to their sensitivities.
CBD for Cats
Whether you choose oil or CBD cat treats, your cat will likely benefit from it. Look for the ingredients, type of product, and talk to your vet about getting your cat started with CBD oil.
Are you looking for high-quality CBD oil you can trust? Visit our store page to see our array of CBD products today!
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
