Why Your Cat May Benefit from CBD

In recent years, research has uncovered a lot of benefits from cannabis for humans. CBD oil in particular has been touted as beneficial for everything from sleep cycles to acne treatment. But did you know that CBD oil could also be beneficial for your cat?

What is CBD?

CBD is an acronym for cannabidiol, one of the over 60 compounds produced by the cannabis plant. Cannabis, more commonly known as marijuana, is mostly associated with recreational uses, but the plant produces a wide range of compounds with various effects. CBD is most often derived from sativa strains of cannabis that typically contain little to no THC.

Though the most well-known is THC, the compound responsible for the plant’s psychoactive effects, CBD is quickly rising into the public eye as a treatment for all sorts of conditions – both in humans and in animals such as cats.

It should be noted that, while marijuana and THC containing products are illegal in some places, CBD oil that contains less than 0.3% THC falls under the classification of “hemp” and is therefore legal in most places. 

What can it do for your cat?

CBD oil is currently being used for a very wide range of conditions, both in humans and in cats. Though studies in the compound are still ongoing, it shows promising effects in many different areas of the body. Most of these are used subjectively – the purpose is to increase your cat’s comfort and quality of life, rather than cure their ailments.

Major Benefits

  • Suppression of epilepsy and easing of seizures
  • Improving of joint mobility and symptoms of arthritis
  • Pain and inflammation treatment
  • Easing anxiety 
  • Treating muscle spasms

Minor Benefits 

  • Relieving nausea and digestive issues
  • Improving the condition of the skin and coat
  • General wellness while aging

Why should you choose CBD for your cat?

Many people have concerns about giving traditional veterinary drugs to their pets – like drugs for humans, they often have side effects and overdose dangers associated with them. CBD is a more natural option to treat some of the conditions we listed. 

According to studies conducted by the National Institute of Health into cat CBD treatments, the only major side effect that has been found is sedation. CBD is known to have effects on sleep and relaxation, so sedation can occur if the dose is too high or if your pet is too sensitive to the compound. There have also been a few reports that it can cause nausea or vomiting in some cats. Both of these side effects can be fixed if you just stop using the oil. 

Do your research!

Please note that the marijuana plant is toxic to cats due to the other compounds it contains, so you should ONLY give your cat CBD or hemp oil. You should also speak to your veterinarian to determine what might be a good dose for your cat. As a rule, always speak to your vet before starting to treat your pet with anything!

You should also be careful to do your research before purchasing a CBD product for your cat. The CBD industry is currently not well regulated by the FDA or other governing bodies, so it’s hard to know which products are real and which could be harmful to your pet. Please be careful, and only get your CBD from reputable sources.

There are a few ways you can make sure that your CBD product is safe for your cat: 

  • Make sure that the product is made specifically for cats
  • Read the ingredients – the product should contain only CBD oil and benign carriers like hemp, coconut, or MCT oil
  • Find products that have either the National Animal Supplements Council Quality Seal or the Certified Seal of the US Hemp Authority. These meet standards imposed by the CBD industry

With the right research and vet advice, CBD can be a great option to improve your pet’s quality of life. Talk to your vet to see if it’s right for you!