What kind of CBD can I give my Cat?
Many cat lovers are seeking alternative natural supplements to manage their cat’s symptoms of stress, anxiety, pain, inflammation, seizures, and more. They are asking, “What kind of CBD Oil can I give my cat?”
The answer is relatively easy, but we recommend reading this entire article to better understand CBD and how it works if you are new to CBD.
What is CBD?
CBD is one of over 100 cannabinoids found in hemp (cannabis sativa) or marijuana (cannabis), both part of the cannabis species of plants.
Is CBD Safe?
CBD (Cannabidiol) is generally recognized as safe for consumption with usually rare occasions of minor side effects, including drowsiness, lightheadedness, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, and damage to the liver in extremely rare cases. These side effects may not happen at all or may happen on some occasions when taking CBD. It’s important to have blood work done on your cat prior to starting a regimen of CBD oil to make sure the liver Is healthy.
How many different types of CBD Oil are there?
As CBD gains popularity due to its success in bringing relief to both humans and pets, there is an abundance of brands on the market, making it increasingly difficult to gauge which CBD oil is truly the one that will work for your cat.
There are different formulations, with some working better than others.
CBD Isolate Oil
This CBD Oil contains only CBD mixed with a carrier oil (usually hemp seed oil or MCT oil). This CBD oil can be given to your cat, preferably in hemp seed oil, as MCT oil can adversely affect your cat’s digestion. This oil will have zero THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis that will get you high, and we don’t want this for our furry friends.
CBD Isolate is ok, but it lacks other beneficial components which can further CBD’s effect on your cat’s symptoms. When CBD first gained recognition, CBD isolate was the first form available before different, more advanced formulas became available, which worked much better.
Full Spectrum CBD Oil
This oil combines CBD and other compounds, which bolster CBD’s effect on the body. Some manufacturers include several other cannabinoids besides CBD, such as CBN, CBDV, CBG, THCV, THC. These cannabinoids work together to create an “Entourage Effect” and amplify effects on the body to alleviate symptoms much better than CBD alone.
Another form of Full Spectrum CBD Oil, also called Broad Spectrum, utilizes CBD along with specific cannabis terpenes. Terpenes are essential in getting the most out of CBD as they alter the blood-brain barrier—influencing the number of cannabinoids that can pass through that barrier and connect with your Endocannabinoid System.
Having a CBD formula consisting of CBD and specific cannabis terpenes is more beneficial than a Full Spectrum CBD Oil, which has no terpenes and uses other cannabinoids in smaller amounts.
Full Spectrum CBD Oil Rich in Terpenes featuring Nanotechnology
This CBD formula rich in cannabis terpenes is the best at achieving bioavailability and absorption. It works much better and allows you to use less product to achieve the same if not better results per dosage. There is no need for any THC or other cannabinoids. This allows the product to maintain a THC-free status which means if larger doses are needed, you won’t need to worry about any psychoactive effects brought on by the THC compound that would be present.
What is Nanotechnology?
CBD molecules have undergone nanoparticularization, where the actual CBD crystals are significantly reduced in size. By reducing the size of CBD molecules, they can pass through cellular structures such as the blood-brain barrier, which would not be possible under normal circumstances.
All in all, this means increased bioavailability and less oil needed. It also means a faster onset of the therapeutic effects. Pair this with terpenes that additionally help CBD pass through the blood-brain barrier and you have a winning formula which, in our opinion, works better than CBD formulas that contain other cannabinoids, including THC with no terpenes.
What symptoms can CBD treat in Cats (Felines)
Just like humans, cats have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) which is a complex nerve signalling system which regulates the central nervous system’s function. When the ECS is deficient in cannabinoids (CBD), the body exhibits many symptoms as a result. When we restore the body’s cannabinoid levels, the ECS is able to maintain homeostasis resulting in lowering or eliminating symptoms associated with many disorders.
CBD can treat many symptoms in cats caused by a number of different disorders. It is not intended to cure or prevent disease. CBD may reduce or completely eliminates the symptoms of the following health issues:
CBD for Aggression in Cats
Cannabidiol (CBD) has calming properties and can reduce or eliminate cats’ aggression by bringing the cat to a more calmed state.
CBD for Stress & Anxiety in Cats
Just like humans, cats have serotonin receptors in the brain. CBD interacts with these receptors to increase serotonin and help boost your cat’s mood relieving both stress and anxiety. This will also relieve your cat’s depression as a result and you will find your cat more playful and energetic.
CBD for Infection in Cats
Research is showing that CBD may help block infection at early stages and may kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria in both humans and cats. More research is needed at this point and it is important to talk to your vet regarding using CBD for the treatment of infections as depending on the severity and type of infection, antibiotics still may be the better route compared to CBD.
CBD for Loss of Appetite caused by Nausea in Cats
Usually, cats won’t eat because they feel nauseous for one reason or another. CBD can assist with the treatment of nausea. When nausea is treated and eliminated, your cat will regain his or her appetite and eat again.
CBD for Loss of Energy in Cats
When cats are dealing with pain, inflammation, or nausea, they will lack energy. By alleviating the pain, reducing inflammation, and eliminating nausea, your car will regain his or her appetite and be pain-free. Their energy will improve greatly as a result and you will notice them become more active and upbeat.
CBD for Inflammation (Joint Pain) in Cats
As cats get older, they will inevitably deal with inflammation in their joints due to arthritis. CBD goes to work greatly reducing inflammation in the joints providing comfort and relief. You will see an improvement in their mobility as a result.
CBD for Treatment of Allergies in Cats
When your cat has allergies, its body reacts by firing up its defense systems to fight off the substance as if it were a virus. CBD can help alleviate allergy symptoms such as inflammation. Skin allergies such as dermatitis are inflammation of the skin and dosing with CBD can help reduce this inflammation.
CBD for the Treatment of Seizures (Epilepsy) in Cats
Cats can suffer from seizures starting from a young age (Epilepsy). They can also develop seizures as they get older due to many different health-related disorders. It’s Important to find out the cause of the seizures as they may be the result of something very serious (Brain tumors). CBD has been shown to reduce seizure frequency and severity in cats. If the underlying cause of the seizures is not life-threatening, you can treat seizures with CBD to reduce seizure activity in the brain, otherwise, it is best to get full testing done to rule out possible life-threatening conditions.
CBD for Treatment of Tumors (Cancer) in Cats
Research has been done on lab rats where CBD was used and it had shrunk the size of cancerous tumors, however, tests have not been done in humans or pets as of now. It’s important to note that cancer comes in many forms and there is no clear evidence that CBD can cure cancer. Many people have reported shrinking of tumors and some have reported cancer remission, however, there is no proof that CBD was the cause of these happenings. If you are administering your cat CBD in hopes of shrinking tumors and or killing off cancer, don’t be surprised if does not work as you had intended. CBD however can alleviate the many unwanted side effects caused by cancer and can make your cat as comfortable as possible during these times.
What is the Proper CBD Oil Dosage to give my Cat?
Just like humans, all cats are different. They all will respond in their own way to CBD so it’s important to start at a low dosage and go slow while monitoring your cat’s behaviour to see how much of a difference it is making.
Many factors determine a starting dosage for your cat including your cat’s weight, the severity of symptoms, the disorder being treated as well as the size and strength of the CBD being used. A CBD Dosage Calculator for cats can help you determine a good starting dose by supplying this information. Every few days you can increase the dosage if needed.
What kind of CBD Oil can i give my cat?
To properly answer the question “What kind of CBD Oil can I give my cat?”, The very best CBD oil you can give your cat in our opinion must contain CBD along with terpenes. Terpenes are the catapult for CBD and they allow CBD to have the biggest effect on your cat and release the true potential that CBD has to offer.
Furthermore,
A CBD oil that is crafted using nanotechnology will further increase CBD’s potential allowing for increased absorption and bioavailability allowing you to get the same great results all while using less product. CBD is not cheap, so if you can save a little money, why not? Also using less product makes it easier when dosing your cat.
