Many people in the dog world have been using CBD for years. But what about cats? This article will help you learn more about CBD oil for cats so that you can make an informed decision about what is best for your feline friend.
Here are the most frequently asked questions cat owners often ask about CBD oil. Click the link below to jump to the answers you are most interested in learning about:
What is CBD?
How does CBD work?
Are CBD oil and hemp oil the same thing?
What does full-spectrum mean and is it good for my cat?
Is CBD oil safe for cats?
Do I need a prescription to give CBD oil to my cat?
How much CBD oil is right for my cat?
What if my vet won’t talk to me about CBD?
How do I make sure to get a high quality CBD oil for my cat?
Is there any scientific research on CBD oil?
What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, one of 80 plus natural compounds found in many plants, including those from the cannabis family.
One of the two most researched compounds found in the now legal plant called hemp, cannabidiol has been the subject of hundreds of research studies over the last three decades. This includes medical research on anxiety, inflammation, pain, sleep, appetite, mood, metabolism, a wide variety of skin problems, immunity, gut health, and more.
Unlike THC, the compound found in marijuana that creates the psychological effect known as a “high,” CBD is not psychoactive. And, because the hemp strains of cannabis are legally defined to have less than .3% of THC, CBD oil made from hemp is safe for pets, including cats.
How does CBD work?
CBD and the other natural compounds found in hemp interact with the body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS). This system was discovered in the 1980’s and scientists learned that the ECS acts as a regulator to create balance or “homeostasis” in a variety of body functions.
The ECS works with the central and peripheral nervous system to regulate a large number of processes including pain, inflammation, appetite, mood, memory, the immune system, digestion, sleep, skin health and more.
It is important to understand that the ECS includes special receptors, transmitters, as well as endocannabinoids which are produced by the body itself.
In fact, evolutionary scientists have argued that the Endocannabinoid System and the early diets of hunter gatherers may have coevolved. Moreover, adding cannabinoids back into the diet, they suggest, may help mitigate some of the issues caused by our modern diets full of commercially processed grains and carbohydrates.
And yes, your cat has an ECS. In fact, all mammals on the planet have one!
Are CBD oil and hemp oil the same thing?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions that many cat owners want to know. The answer is a little bit complicated because right now, the hemp/CBD industry is rapidly evolving.
The short answer is that in many cases, hemp oil and CBD oil can refer to the same thing. In some cases they don’t. That is why it is important to know how to dig a little deeper to learn more about the quality of product you are purchasing for your pet.
Most hemp oil and CBD oil is made from refining the hemp plant. Both usually contain the compound CBD. However, given that CBD is the main active ingredient in such oils, you should only purchase products that have the amount of CBD clearly labeled, and backed up by third party lab tests.
On the other hand, beware of hemp seed oil for cats. Although it may be a healthy supplement for some cats, since it is made from the seeds of the hemp plant, it does not contain appreciable amounts of the compound CBD. Many manufacturers on the market are trying to be misleading on this issue so buyer beware!
What does full-spectrum mean and is it good for my cat?
If the products are labeled as “full spectrum” they also have trace amounts of other cannabinoids found in the hemp plant.
Many believe that full spectrum oils are more effective because the trace amounts of additional flavonoids, terpenes, and cannabinoids found in these oils have a synergistic effect in healing processes, known by scientists as "The Entourage Effect."
For example, Lolahemp’s CBD tinctures, topical, and chews are all made using full spectrum organic hemp oil that is slowly processed using low temperature and pressure for a robust full spectrum CBD oil to give your cat. See our batch lab results to learn more.
Is CBD oil safe for cats?
Many vets and cat owners alike have found that CBD is safe for the cats in their care. However, it is worth mentioning that there have been no large scale studies done on cats and no CBD based drugs have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of cat disorders or disease.
We recommend that you work with your vet, or consult with a holistic vet, to make sure you give your cat CBD oil safely.
Do I need a prescription to give CBD oil to my cat?
No. CBD oil and hemp oil are now available for pets without a prescription. However, we recommend that you discuss using CBD oil for cats (as well as side effects from traditional medications) with your vet to determine appropriate dosing for his/her case as well as avoid any potential drug interactions.
In addition, please be sure to do your research to make sure you are getting high quality CBD products that are made to be safe for cats.
How much CBD oil is right for my cat?
Again, we recommend working with your vet to work out a dose that is best for his or her condition. However, as a general guideline, you can start at 1mg per 10lbs of cat weight, twice daily.
Since different CBD products on the market can have very different concentrations of CBD, you need to be careful about making sure you dose properly to the actual product you use.
For example, with Lolahemp tinctures, 2 drops = 1 mg of CBD. Note that this dropper guideline will not be the same with other brands so be careful when calculating dosing.
The general rule when using any hemp products is to start low, and increase slowly until the desired effects are achieved. If you notice any side effects such as nausea, drooling, excess tiredness, or tremors of any kind it is wise to stop giving CBD to your cat and consult with your vet.
What if my vet won’t talk to me about CBD?
Up until just recently, hemp based products had questionable legal standing. However, the 2018 Farm Bill made hemp and hemp products legal in the U.S.
Further complicating matters is the fact that many veterinarians are restricted from discussing CBD with their clients due to restrictive or unclear state veterinary licensing requirements.
Some veterinarians, such as those in California, have even had to resort to legislative action to gain protections for discussing the potential therapeutic values of cannabis based medicine with their clients.
If your vet is unwilling to discuss using CBD for your cat, you may want to consult with a holistic veterinarian. These vets have additional training that includes the use of natural products, known as nutraceuticals, in their clinical practices. Because these vets are often more experienced at the use of CBD with pets, they are often a better resource for informed cat owners.
How do I make sure to get a high quality CBD oil for my cat?
One of the most important things you can do to help your cat is to do your research before buying any CBD or hemp product for them.
The reason for this is that the demand for CBD pet products is exploding right now as word of mouth spreads as to how effective it can be. And, unfortunately some companies are taking advantage of that by selling low quality or even harmful products.
Here at Lolahemp, quality is our number one priority. Here are some of the key features that make Lolahemp CBD the right choice for your cat:
- We start with hand harvested organic hemp grown by a family farm in Colorado.
- We test our products three times from seed to bottle.
- We offer third party lab testing for every single batch of our oil, tied to a QR code on every product we sell.
- We offer a robust full spectrum CBD oil made just for pets.
- Our products contain no harmful additives such as artificial flavors or sweeteners that can be toxic to pets.
- We include accurate and veterinarian recommended dosing guidelines for our products.
- We use MCT coconut oil for our carrier oil, considered ideal for optimal cannabinoid absorption.
- We are a Pets Before Profits company with a strong commitment to animal welfare.
Is there any scientific research on CBD oil?
It is no surprise that veterinary medical research is often several years behind when it comes to setting up clinical trials and testing new medications and supplements. However, research on CBD and hemp have been going on for decades.
Below you can find a list of links to helpful research studies on CBD. Each link goes to a primary scientific paper published in peer reviewed scientific journals.
A Comprehensive Guide to Using CBD for Cats
We hope this guide to CBD for cats has answered all of your questions. We invite you to learn more about CBD through our educational blog. In addition, to hear from some of our verified customers about their success using Lolahemp CBD oil for cats, please visit our customer review page.
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