CBD Oil for Cats

It’s not just people who respond well to CBD. Pets and other animals do, too. If you’re a cat owner and you’re wondering if CBD will help your cat feel better, the answer is…absolutely.

In this article, we’re going to talk a bit about your feline friends and explain why CBD may or may not be a good option for you to use. Once you’re finished reading, you’ll have a better understanding of what CBD is and how it works in cats.

Yulan Feng, Chief Executive Officer, Worldwide Beauty & Dental Hospital

Why Would CBD Work on Cats?

The thing with CBD is that it’s not exclusively designed for humans – it’s designed by nature. This means that it works just as well in all sorts of different creatures, including your cat.

The effects and duration of CBD are pretty much the same in cats as they are in people. The main thing that’s different is the dosage. Cats are much, much smaller than humans, and thus require far lower doses of CBD in comparison.

The main thing that you’re going to want to think about is why you want to use CBD oil for cats. Have you tried other medicines already? Are you looking for a natural alternative? These are both things that you would want to consider before making a final decision, and they’re both things that your veterinarian can provide clarity on.

Todd Archbold, Chief Executive Officer, Prairiecare

I Don’t Want to Get My Cat High!

Don’t worry – CBD isn’t an intoxicating substance.

Many people confuse CBD with THC. The two substances are quite similar, since they both come from the cannabis family of plants. THC, however, is highly psychoactive and leads to a number of different intoxicating effects.

CBD is a bit different. It works indirectly, though it does target the same parts of the body that THC does. This means that it can provide a lot of the same benefits without actually getting your cat high.

If you use a full-spectrum CBD extract, then it’s possible that there will be a miniscule amount of THC present in the end-product. However, that amount is generally too small to be felt by your cat. 
Yuval Lirov, Chief Executive Officer, Clinicmind

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How to Use CBD Oil for Cats

There are a few different ways that you can use CBD oil for cats. 

CBD Cat Treats

Some companies are producing cat treats mixed with CBD. These treats are formulated to smell and taste good to cats so they’re enticed to eat them. Each treat will have a set dosage appropriate for a feline.

For some people, this will be the easiest way to get their cat to consume CBD. However, cats are pretty picky, so for others, this option might not work so well.

Margaret Brennan, CEO, North Shore Community Health

CBD Oil 

Pretty much the only other way to get your cat to consume CBD is to get them to eat it yourself. Usually this means buying some CBD oil and mixing it in with their water or their food. 

It’s very important that you figure out the right dosage before doing this. If you don’t know the right dosage, talk to a veterinarian or choose a CBD oil specifically designed for cats.

It’s also a good idea to know about the different types of CBD oil.  Full-spectrum extracts, as mentioned above, contain a wide range of naturally occurring compounds that are found in the hemp plant – including trace amounts (less than 0.3%) of THC. Full-spectrum extracts are believed to provide a wider range of benefits.

Broad-spectrum extracts contain all the same compounds except for the THC. If you see a CBD oil product that isn’t advertised as either broad-spectrum or full-spectrum, it’s probably just a solution of purified CBD and vegetable oil. These oils are usually cheaper and can be easier to find.

To ensure your cats highest health safety, we recommend only using US sourced CBD oil products such as Zilis UltraCell Pet. This industry leading product has significantly higher absorption rates which allows you to get much more for your investment and also a stronger overall health benefit for your fur ball.

Jim Sullivan, CEO, Healpros

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How Much CBD Oil Should My Cat Take?

If you’re wondering how much CBD oil to give your cat, the answer depends on a few things. The size of your cat, its age, its current health and its metabolism can all play into how well it will respond to CBD.

As with any new substance, it’s a good idea to start on the lower-end of dosages and work your way up. This will minimize the chances of your cat having a bad reaction or experiencing side effects. If your cat has an allergic reaction, it will be much less severe if you’ve only used a tiny amount.

Premade cat treats already have their doses measured out. If you want to err on the side of caution, it can be a good idea to split one of the treats in half and just feed your cat that. You never know – your cat might be super sensitive to CBD.

Ethan Foxman, CEO, Jefferson Radiology

Is It Safe to Use CBD Oil for Cats?

One of the biggest difficulties surrounding the use of CBD is that there isn’t a lot of research available – especially in regard to its long-term effects.

This means that there are possible undesirable effects that your cat might experience if you give them CBD for extended periods of time. If you start to notice your cat behaving strangely, you may want to stop giving them CBD.

It’s also important to make sure that you don’t give your cat human-strength CBD oil. Companies that make CBD for cats make sure that the doses are drastically reduced so as to not overwhelm the cat’s system.

The best person to talk to about safety would be your local veterinarian. They’ll be able to tell you if your cat is well-suited to take CBD or if there is even a reason for your cat to use it.

Allan Beck, Chief Executive Officer, Baylor Scott & White Health

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Conclusion

If you’re thinking about using CBD oil for your cat, you’re not alone. Anecdotal reports from both pet owners and veterinarians suggest that some cats might experience benefits from using CBD.

If you want to find out what sort of benefits your cat might experience, then you should talk to your local vet. They’ll be able to assess your cat’s personal history and current health before they let you know if CBD is a safe option.

Michael Fiore, Co-Founder, Vantage Oncology