CBD for Cats: Drug Interactions

Posted by Max Martinson on December 20, 2024

CBD (cannabidiol) is becoming increasingly popular as a natural remedy for various health issues in cats. While it offers many potential benefits, it’s important to be aware of how CBD may interact with other medications your cat might be taking.

Drug interactions could potentially alter the effectiveness of medications or lead to unintended side effects, so understanding these risks is crucial. It's also essential to find a CBD oil that is formulated specifically to be safe and effective for cats.

Common Cat Medicines That Interact with CBD
Managing Drug Interactions
Conclusion

<p data-mce-fragment="1"> </p>
<h3 data-mce-fragment="1">1. <strong data-mce-fragment="1">Anti-Seizure Medications</strong>
</h3>
<p data-mce-fragment="1">Cats with epilepsy or other seizure disorders may be prescribed anti-seizure medications such as phenobarbital or potassium bromide. <strong>CBD has been shown to interact with enzymes that metabolize these drugs</strong>, potentially affecting their levels in the bloodstream. In some cases, this interaction can either intensify the effects of the anti-seizure medication, leading to toxicity, or reduce its effectiveness, increasing the risk of seizures.</p>
<p data-mce-fragment="1"><strong data-mce-fragment="1">What to do</strong>: If your cat is on anti-seizure medication, always consult your veterinarian before <a href="https://lolahemp.com/blogs/pet-cbd/cbd-for-cat-seizures" title="This article discusses the use of CBD for seizures in cats." data-mce-href="https://lolahemp.com/blogs/pet-cbd/cbd-for-cat-seizures">introducing CBD</a>. They may need to adjust the dosage of either the CBD or the anti-seizure medication.</p>
<h3 data-mce-fragment="1">2. <strong data-mce-fragment="1">Pain Medications (e.g., NSAIDs)</strong>
</h3>
<p data-mce-fragment="1">Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like meloxicam are commonly prescribed to manage pain and inflammation in cats. While CBD itself has anti-inflammatory properties, combining it with NSAIDs may increase the risk of gastrointestinal upset, ulcers, or liver damage. Both CBD and NSAIDs can affect the liver, so using them together could potentially overwhelm the liver's ability to process them safely.</p>
<p data-mce-fragment="1"><strong data-mce-fragment="1">What to do</strong>: Speak with your vet to evaluate the risks of combining <a title="This article discusses the use of CBD for pain in cats." href="https://lolahemp.com/blogs/pet-cbd/cbd-for-cat-pain" data-mce-href="https://lolahemp.com/blogs/pet-cbd/cbd-for-cat-pain">CBD with NSAIDs</a>. They may recommend a different pain management approach or monitor your cat more closely for side effects.</p>
<h3 data-mce-fragment="1">3. <strong data-mce-fragment="1">Steroids (Corticosteroids)</strong>
</h3>
<p data-mce-fragment="1">Steroids like prednisolone or dexamethasone are often prescribed for inflammatory conditions, autoimmune diseases, or allergies in cats. CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects could theoretically complement steroids, but there’s a concern that combining the two could increase the risk of immunosuppression or cause gastrointestinal issues.</p>
<p data-mce-fragment="1"><strong data-mce-fragment="1">What to do</strong>: If your cat is on steroids, discuss with your veterinarian whether <a href="https://lolahemp.com/blogs/pet-cbd/cbd-for-cat-itching" title="This article discusses the use of CBD for cat allergy issues such as itching." data-mce-href="https://lolahemp.com/blogs/pet-cbd/cbd-for-cat-itching">adding CBD is advisable</a>. Your vet may want to monitor your cat for signs of adverse effects.</p>
<h3 data-mce-fragment="1">4. <strong data-mce-fragment="1">Anti-Coagulants (Blood Thinners)</strong>
</h3>
<p data-mce-fragment="1">Cats on medications like warfarin or other blood thinners are at risk for bleeding complications. CBD has mild blood-thinning properties, and when combined with prescribed blood thinners, it could potentially enhance these effects, leading to an increased risk of bleeding.</p>
<p data-mce-fragment="1"><strong data-mce-fragment="1">What to do</strong>: If your cat is on a blood thinner, CBD should only be used under strict veterinary supervision. Your vet may want to closely monitor your cat’s blood clotting levels.</p>
<h3 data-mce-fragment="1">5. <strong data-mce-fragment="1">Other Medications Metabolized by the Liver</strong>
</h3>
<p data-mce-fragment="1">Many common medications, such as antibiotics, antifungals, and certain painkillers, are metabolized by the liver. Since CBD can interfere with liver enzymes, it may affect how these medications are processed in your cat’s system, potentially leading to higher or lower levels of the drugs in the bloodstream.</p>
<p data-mce-fragment="1"><strong data-mce-fragment="1">What to do</strong>: If your cat is on any medication that is metabolized by the liver, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian before starting CBD to assess the potential for interaction and determine the appropriate dosage.</p>
<h2 data-mce-fragment="1">Managing Drug Interactions</h2>
<p data-mce-fragment="1">To minimize the risks of drug interactions when using CBD for your cat, consider these steps:</p>
<ol data-mce-fragment="1">
<li data-mce-fragment="1">
<p data-mce-fragment="1"><strong data-mce-fragment="1">Consult with Your Veterinarian</strong>: Always talk to your vet before introducing CBD, especially if your cat is on any medications. Your veterinarian can help you understand the potential risks and adjust dosages accordingly.</p>
</li>
<li data-mce-fragment="1">
<p data-mce-fragment="1"><strong data-mce-fragment="1">Start Low and Go Slow</strong>: If CBD is introduced, <a title="This article discusses the dosage of CBD for cats." href="https://lolahemp.com/blogs/pet-cbd/cat-cbd-dosage-chart" data-mce-href="https://lolahemp.com/blogs/pet-cbd/cat-cbd-dosage-chart">start with a low dose</a> and gradually increase while monitoring for any changes in your cat’s behavior or health. This allows you to identify any negative reactions early.</p>
</li>
<li data-mce-fragment="1">
<p data-mce-fragment="1"><strong data-mce-fragment="1">Regular Monitoring</strong>: If your cat is on CBD and other medications, your vet may recommend more frequent check-ups to monitor liver function, drug levels, and overall health. Blood tests can help identify any potential issues before they become serious.</p>
</li>
<li data-mce-fragment="1">
<p data-mce-fragment="1"><strong data-mce-fragment="1">Choose High-Quality CBD</strong>: Ensure the CBD you are using is of <a href="https://lolahemp.com/products/cbd-oil-for-cats" title="Lolahemp's CBD Oil Made for Cats">high quality and specifically formulated for pets</a>. Third-party lab testing ensures the product is free from harmful contaminants and that it contains the correct levels of CBD.</p>
</li>
</ol>
<h2 data-mce-fragment="1">Conclusion</h2>
<p data-mce-fragment="1">While CBD offers numerous benefits for cats, it’s important to be aware of how it may interact with other medications your cat is taking. The impact on liver enzymes and the potential for enhanced or reduced drug effects makes it essential to work closely with your veterinarian before <a href="https://lolahemp.com/collections/cat-cbd" title="This page lists all of Lolahemp's CBD products for cats, including oils, balms, and shampoos." data-mce-href="https://lolahemp.com/collections/cat-cbd">introducing CBD to your cat’s regimen</a>. With proper guidance, CBD can be a safe and effective addition to your cat’s health care routine.</p>

Common Cat Medicines That Interact with CBD

In some cases, CBD can influence liver enzymes responsible for metabolizing other drugs. The primary concern is that CBD can inhibit certain cytochrome P450 enzymes, which are involved in the breakdown of many common medications.

This inhibition may result in increased blood levels of medications that are normally broken down by these enzymes, potentially leading to toxicity. Alternatively, it could decrease the effectiveness of some drugs by slowing their metabolism.

Here’s a closer look at the most common types of medications that may interact with CBD:

This image shows a couple of cats, along with a list of possible types of medications that could interact with CBD - anti seizure meds, steroids, blood thinners, and some pain meds.

1. Anti-Seizure Medications

Cats with epilepsy or other seizure disorders may be prescribed anti-seizure medications such as phenobarbital or potassium bromide. CBD has been shown to interact with enzymes that metabolize these drugs, potentially affecting their levels in the bloodstream. In some cases, this interaction can either intensify the effects of the anti-seizure medication, leading to toxicity, or reduce its effectiveness, increasing the risk of seizures.

What to do: If your cat is on anti-seizure medication, always consult your veterinarian before introducing CBD. They may need to adjust the dosage of either the CBD or the anti-seizure medication.

2. Pain Medications (e.g., NSAIDs)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like meloxicam are commonly prescribed to manage pain and inflammation in cats. While CBD itself has anti-inflammatory properties, combining it with NSAIDs may increase the risk of gastrointestinal upset, ulcers, or liver damage. Both CBD and NSAIDs can affect the liver, so using them together could potentially overwhelm the liver's ability to process them safely.

What to do: Speak with your vet to evaluate the risks of combining CBD with NSAIDs. They may recommend a different pain management approach or monitor your cat more closely for side effects.

3. Steroids (Corticosteroids)

Steroids like prednisolone or dexamethasone are often prescribed for inflammatory conditions, autoimmune diseases, or allergies in cats. CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects could theoretically complement steroids, but there’s a concern that combining the two could increase the risk of immunosuppression or cause gastrointestinal issues.

What to do: If your cat is on steroids, discuss with your veterinarian whether adding CBD is advisable. Your vet may want to monitor your cat for signs of adverse effects.

4. Anti-Coagulants (Blood Thinners)

Cats on medications like warfarin or other blood thinners are at risk for bleeding complications. CBD has mild blood-thinning properties, and when combined with prescribed blood thinners, it could potentially enhance these effects, leading to an increased risk of bleeding.

What to do: If your cat is on a blood thinner, CBD should only be used under strict veterinary supervision. Your vet may want to closely monitor your cat’s blood clotting levels.

5. Other Medications Metabolized by the Liver

Many common medications, such as antibiotics, antifungals, and certain painkillers, are metabolized by the liver. Since CBD can interfere with liver enzymes, it may affect how these medications are processed in your cat’s system, potentially leading to higher or lower levels of the drugs in the bloodstream.

What to do: If your cat is on any medication that is metabolized by the liver, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian before starting CBD to assess the potential for interaction and determine the appropriate dosage.

Managing Drug Interactions

To minimize the risks of drug interactions when using CBD for your cat, consider these steps:

Consult with Your Veterinarian: Always talk to your vet before introducing CBD, especially if your cat is on any medications. Your veterinarian can help you understand the potential risks and adjust dosages accordingly.
Start Low and Go Slow: If CBD is introduced, start with a low dose and gradually increase while monitoring for any changes in your cat’s behavior or health. This allows you to identify any negative reactions early.
Regular Monitoring: If your cat is on CBD and other medications, your vet may recommend more frequent check-ups to monitor liver function, drug levels, and overall health. Blood tests can help identify any potential issues before they become serious.
Choose High-Quality CBD: Ensure the CBD you are using is of high quality and specifically formulated for pets. Third-party lab testing ensures the product is free from harmful contaminants and that it contains the correct levels of CBD.

Conclusion

While CBD offers numerous benefits for cats, it’s important to be aware of how it may interact with other medications your cat is taking. The impact on liver enzymes and the potential for enhanced or reduced drug effects makes it essential to work closely with your veterinarian before introducing CBD to your cat’s regimen. With proper guidance, CBD can be a safe and effective addition to your cat’s health care routine.

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