Dogs might be the most popular pets in the world since the beginning of civilization. But cats are everyone’s favorites, too! And, cat owners, like dog owners, want to choose natural supplements like CBD. But most people wonder how to give CBD oil to cats.
Your feline friend can develop various health issues as they get old. They might face mobility problems, weak immune systems, anxiety, etc. While your vet might suggest several medicines, CBD oil can be an excellent way to improve their quality of life.
Peer-reviewed studies and anecdotal evidence show that CBD oil is safe and potentially effective for cats. How much CBD oil can be given to them depends on various factors. Today, you’ll find out all about how CBD oil can help cats and how you can administer it properly.
How Does CBD Oil Help Cats?
All mammals, including humans, cats, dogs, etc., have an endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of receptors in the brain and body. It controls various physical activities and regulates appetite, temperature, pain sensation, and other physical reactions.
CBD from cannabis plants interacts with the receptors effectively but mysteriously to boost its activities. Since cats have an ECS, the effects of CBD from hemp plants help strike mental and physical balance and alleviate many health problems in your kitties.
Benefits of CBD Oil for Cats
CBD helps cats with anxiety, pain, sleeplessness, mobility issues, inflammation, etc. Cat parents also vouch that CBD oil can calm scared and angry cats and turn them into snuggle-loving cuties. It makes old and arthritic cats energetic and fun.
CBD oil is popular primarily because of its pain-alleviating abilities. It is great at decreasing inflammation and can handle chronic pain. That’s not just in the case of humans – but also in mammals like cats. It inhibits Vanilloid receptors to reduce pain signaling. a
CBD’s biological activities include anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, which means it can reduce oxidative stress. Preclinical studies show its potential in managing conditions like epilepsy and protecting the brain and nervous system of mammals.
A study in 2018 showed that it reduces stress and associated depression. CBD is also known for its antimicrobial effects. It strengthens the immune response to infections and inhibits their replication. Its interaction with the ECS improves digestion, appetite, and bowel movement.
These effects of CBD can help humans and their cat friends. Thus, we have seen that after administering CBD to cats, the furry creatures have experienced a complete change in their lives. With the introduction of CBD, cats seem to have found relief from –
- Chronic pain and inflammatory conditions like arthritis
- Seizures
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Mobility problems
- Anxiety
Thus, after seeing the effects of CBD on cats, we can say that it is excellent for the overall wellness of your kitty. Hence, we recommend using it for your feline babies. You will find them up and about in no time once you start administering cannabis oil to cats.
CBD Oil Dosage for Cats
Now that you have decided to administer CBD oil to improve your cat’s life, it’s time to answer the million-dollar question: What is the ideal CBD oil dosage for cats? How much CBD you will give to your cat depends on their body weight, as well as age and health conditions.
It is safe to administer a daily dose between 0.1 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg. Let’s categorize dosage based on severity and health conditions –
- 0.1 mg/kg – Micro-level dose for mild discomfort, behavioral issues, and anxiety.
- 0.2-0.5 mg/kg – Medium-level doses for moderate discomfort and pain.
- 0.5-1 mg/kg – High-level dose for severe pain, epilepsy, diabetes, etc.
- 1-5 mg/kg – Extreme health degeneration, cancer, hospice care.
So, if your tabby weighs 10 kg and suffers from moderate pain and common anxiety issues, you can add 1-5 mg of CBD oil to help them enjoy physical and mental balance. You’ll likely feel surprised to see how they turn into calm, happy cat that loves to play.
For regular care, daily administration of micro-level or medium-level doses should restore your kitty’s vigor for life. We also suggest that you talk to your vet to discuss how much CBD oil you should administer and what impact you can expect on the cat.
How to Give CBD Oil to Cats?
Let’s face it – pet cats can be picky about everything they put in their mouth. So how will you administer CBD oil to your little Anton Ego? If you feel that you can’t convince the cat to have a direct oral dose, there are ways to trick the little one into taking it.
Direct Feed
Take the desired amount in a dropper and hold it in front of the cat’s mouth. If the cat refuses to lap it up, grab your pet gently – and while petting, hold the jaw. Then, put the dropper into its mouth and squirt the dropper into its mouth. Wait for it to swallow the oil.
Adding CBD Oil to Cat Food
If your cat makes it evident that it hates CBD oil, you can mix it with the wet or dry food that you serve your pet. You can add CBD oil to your cat’s favorite sardine lunch or spread the liquid evenly on some kibble. Your cat will likely not detect that there’s something off.
Adding CBD Oil to Treats
Cat treats attract cats with their strong smell, even though they might not be highly nutritious. To make cat treats more useful, you can add CBD oil to them. Your cat will gobble them up without thinking twice – and the strong smell will cover the flavor of CBD!
Using CBD-Infused Cat Treats
Cat treats infused with CBD oil are easy to find. You can also try making cat treats at home. It is a superb way to make sure that it’s healthy and has no artificial or chemical products. To make it even better, you can include CBD oil in your list of ingredients.
Mixing with Tuna or Tuna Juice
Every cat owner knows that cats can’t resist the smell of tuna. You can use that to your advantage and mix CBD oil with a can of tuna. You can even mix it with tuna juice and add it to other cat foods. With this trick, you will be able to combine nutrition and CBD’s goodness.
Mixing CBD Oil with Fish Oil
Cats go crazy the moment the smell of fish oil hits the air. So you can mix CBD oil with fish oil – and your cat will have it without a second thought. The smells will cover the original flavor of CBD. Fish oil comes in the form of capsules or liquid and is easy to use.
Adding to Empty Feeding Dish
Your cat indeed has a special feeding dish where you serve its food and treats. The cat knows that this is where its food goes. The dish also has the smell of its daily food. So you can serve the CBD oil in the empty feeding dish and set it where your pet usually enjoys eating.
Adding Drops to the Paws
The last resort for administering CBD oil to your cat is adding a few drops of the oil to its paws. This way, the oil will enter the cat’s system when it licks its paws. It’s the least recommended method because as the animal runs or walks around, a lot of the oil will be wasted.
Is CBD Oil Safe for Cats?
We know that CBD has many health benefits for cats. But is it safe? Preliminary studies show that not only is it beneficial for cats, but it is also safe to administer. Even the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that CBD in its pure form is safe for your pet cat.
What about a combination of THC and CBD? In the US, it is only legal to sell CBD oil products that have less than 0.3% THC. This standard has been set keeping the safety of users in mind. Studies also suggest that CBD combined with THC is safe for felines.
CBD is a natural ingredient that offers a holistic way to improve the lives of cats. Studies to examine its medicinal effects for treating or curing health issues are still underway. But it can undoubtedly improve the lives of pets and help manage the symptoms of many conditions.
What Type of CBD Oil is Good for Cats?
To ensure that your cat can reap the benefits of CBD oil, you must make sure that you choose the right product. This will ensure safety and prevent side effects and overdosing. At the time of purchasing CBD oil, consider the following –
CBD Oil for Pets
The nutritional needs of your cat are different from yours. So do not administer a few drops from your own bottle of tincture to your cat. Find the best CBD oil for cats available in the market. If you want to avoid THC altogether, don’t buy full-spectrum CBD oil.
CO2 Extracted
After the cultivation of hemp, the plant compounds, including CBD, are extracted using various methods. Premium-quality CBD oil is made with CBD oil obtained using the CO2 method as it does not use heat, chemicals, or alcohol. Hence, it’s the cleanest process.
Third-Party Lab Tested
Tests are required to prove the THC content in the CBD oil you buy, as well as the presence or absence of other chemicals. Since the FDA does not regulate CBD products, it’s essential to buy a third-party tested CBD oil. Don’t forget to check the lab results.
Side Effects of Using CBD Oil for Cats
Since CBD oil is safe for cats, it does not cause any major side effects or health deterioration in them. However, you can expect some mild and temporary results in the initial stage of administering CBD oil to cats. These may include –
- Drowsiness and lethargy
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Loss of muscle control
- Reduced paw-eye coordination
- Increased thirst levels
- Change in appetite
- Digestion problems
- Decreased blood pressure
But these effects go away after repeated usage. Plus, if you start administering low quantities and gradually increase the amount, these issues might not occur at all. You should also discuss possible drug interactions with the vet if the cat is under some other treatment.
Final Words
Cats, like any other mammal, respond well to the natural goodness of CBD. While it is not a medicine, it can surely improve the life of the animal. Now that you know how to use CBD for cats, you can take a holistic approach toward your pet’s overall wellness.
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