We know that most of you’ll must have searched this thinking of CBD as marijuana. We’ve even seen some people who, to relieve their pets of the pain, try cannabis products on them. We’ve seen it work on humans and hence people have started experimenting the same on cats and dogs. However, it is not as simple as it seems.
CBD stands for cannabidiol, a natural compound found in the cannabis plant. It is one of many chemicals called cannabinoids. But is not classified as a psychoactive drug. Unlike THC (the compound that makes you feel "high"), CBD doesn't have any psychoactive effects. CBD interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate things like mood, pain, and sleep. (1)
Many people consume CBD oils, creams and gummies for reasons like reducing anxiety, relieving pain, or helping with sleep. Luckily, CBD has been found to be safe for cats as well. However, there isn’t any conclusive evidence yet about the benefits of CBD for cats. Some anecdotal evidence shows that CBD could help cats with the following – (1)
Relieve pain (especially during arthritis and cancer)
Reduce stress and anxiety
Aid in epilepsy and seizure problems
Increase appetite
Relieve nausea
Reduce inflammation
Cure chronic vomiting
Having said that, there can be cons to using CBD oil on cats too. These include –
Drowsiness or sedation
Gastrointestinal problems like vomiting and diarrhea
Behavioral problems like pacing and restlessness
These are rare but if you see any of the above-mentioned symptoms, you should directly be contacting your vet before administering CBD in any form again.
What is the Recommended CBD Oil Dosage for Cats?
The fact that CBD oil is mainly used to treat a specific condition, the recommended dosage would vary depending on the size and weight of the cat and the underlying problem being treated.
What you need to take care of is, once your vet recommends a specific dosage for your cat, buy products that clearly state how many milligrams of CBD are in the package and each serving. You may also see different types of CBD oil like CBD isolate, full spectrum, broad spectrum, and our unique Paw CBD formula, Superior Broad Spectrum in the market. They vary in terms of the extraction process from the hemp plant. (2)
Consult your vet before putting any of these in your cart. Also, avoid any type of CBD that comes with artificial flavors or fillers.
Hemp Oil vs. CBD Oil for Cats?
It is natural for most people to read both hemp oil and CBD oil interchangeably because of the confusion caused by inconsistency around labelling. They are very different though.
Hemp is a type of cannabis plant (different from marijuana) that contains less than 0.3% THC. This means that any product made from hemp for your pet can’t get them high. Hemp seed oil is made by cleaning and cold pressing the seeds from the Cannabis sativa plant. It has no cannabinoids or terpenes in it, including zero THC and little to no CBD. (3)
CBD, on the other hand, is found in the hemp plant and is derived through a variety of processes, the most popular of which are CO2 extraction and ethanol extraction.
When it comes to benefits, hemp seed oil may not provide the same array of benefits to your cat. It is high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It contains high levels of vitamins B and D, proteins and antioxidants. However, whether cats can extract these benefits is yet debatable. (3)
CBD oil is the one that pet owners are buzzing about these days because of its wellness benefits on pets. It can help cats with separation anxiety, stress, noise aversion, physical discomfort, etc.
The main difference between hemp oil and CBD oil, hence, is the presence of CBD, the element responsible for all the benefits in pets and humans.
Can Cats Have CBD Oil every day?
Yes, cats can have CBD oil every day. However, your vet needs to prescribe the dosage and frequency. Some cats benefit more from a daily dosage while others benefit from an as-needed basis. You need to observe your cat and then take a call. Do remember, that your cat’s needs may even evolve with time. (4)
Can a Cat Overdose on CBD Oil?
CBD-based products for cats available in the market are less concentrated as compared to the ones available for humans. This decreases the chances of CBD overdose in cats.
The important thing here is to ensure the safest and highest quality product. Vast numbers of hemp-based CBD products are legally available online. But the products out there sold as supplements don’t have regulatory oversight, especially in the veterinary area.
The Veterinary Cannabis Society is working on a plan to set up a seal-of-approval program that would have standards for veterinary CBD products. We do not know how much time that will take. Till then, do check with your vet before buying any product. Ask them about treatment options that have successfully been through clinical trials or have scientific papers written about them. (2)
More About Spot Pet Insurance
CBD oil, although quite popular among pet owners these days, has been a controversial topic as there is no conclusive evidence based on solid clinical trials about the benefit of CBD oil for cats. As a responsible pet owner, it is important to consult your vet before administering anything new to your cat. There are chances of your cat experiencing serious side effects of it. While we have written over 1000 articles to educate you on various pet matters, there may be times when a wrong decision makes your cat fall sick.
For those times, we are here to make you save up to 90% of the treatment costs and vet bills. With a Spot accident and illness plan, you can take your cat for treatment at any licensed vet in Canada or the U.S. Spot plans don’t have networks, so whether you’re home or traveling within the U.S, veterinary services your cat receives for the diagnosis, treatment, or management of eligible services can be covered. Spot’s accident and illness plans can help cover a variety of conditions, ranging from broken bones and bite wounds to behavioral conditions, and cancer. While base plans do not offer coverage for preventive care services, Spot’s Wellness Riders can be added to any base plan for an additional fee and can help cover the eligible costs of wellness exams, vaccinations, dental cleanings, and more!
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