If you're interested in finding CBD products for your cat, this guide offers a deeper look into each aspect of cannabidiol for our feline friends. Cats are known for their deep and sensitive emotions, their ability to move well into old age, and their equally-impressive ability to hide their discomfort.
CBD offers the potential to help cats manage some of their physical or emotional discomfort with daily use. This article looks at the safety, dosage, and benefits of CBD for cats, giving you everything you need to know in order to make an informed purchase for your best friend.
So, could CBD help your cat feel better? Let's find out.
What are The Benefits of CBD for Cats?
Early research suggests that CBD may support cats in areas such as calming, occasional joint relief, and skin-related discomfort. While research on the use of CBD for cats is still evolving, studies on dogs provide promising insights that may be applicable to felines.
Let’s take a deeper look at each potential benefit:
1. Calming and Stress Support
Many cat owners turn to CBD to help with stress-related behaviors such as fear of loud noises, separation anxiety, or stress during travel. While clinical studies are still in early stages, anecdotal reports suggest that CBD may promote relaxation and overall well-being.
One study on the effects of CBD for cats with separation anxiety showed that cats who received CBD oil spent less time in physical contact with their owners immediately after periods of separation, whereas cats who received the placebo showed more attention-seeking behavior after separation.
These findings aren't conclusion, but they could imply that CBD helped the cats in the study feel less distress when they were separated from their owners.
2. Joint and Mobility Support
As cats age, they may experience occasional joint stiffness or mobility issues. While formal studies on feline joint health are limited, early research on dogs and anecdotal reports suggest that CBD may support joint flexibility and comfort.
One study on a 10 year old therapy cat noticed that pain measurements "decreased more than 50%" after the use of full-spectrum hemp oil. While these early findings are limited, they're following the experiences of many cat owners who have had success.
3. Seizure Support
Preliminary research on dogs suggests that CBD may help reduce seizure frequency. While similar studies on cats are ongoing, some cat owners have reported positive experiences using CBD to support their pets.
Because research is so limited, it's wise discuss all options and come up with a plan with the close help of your veterinarian. CBD has not been proven to help seizures in cats, so discuss your cat's care and the potential use of CBD with your veterinarian.
4. Skin and Allergy Relief
Skin irritation and allergies can be common concerns for cats. While studies have explored CBD’s potential in dogs, formal feline studies are needed. However, topical CBD products such as balms and ointments are increasingly popular for pet skin care.
How Does CBD for Cats Work?
Cats, like all mammals, have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that helps regulate vital functions such as mood, pain perception, sleep, and immune responses. CBD interacts with ECS receptors to support overall balance and well-being.
More specifically, CBD binds to receptors and influenced the endoacannabinoid system toward equilibrium. In successful cases, it's believed that CBD influences the ECS to function as it should, using the endocannabinoids in hemp to regain a natural balance.
In this way, CBD doesn't necessarily act upon a cat's system, but rather, it could encourage the cat's system to function more effectively. Many common physical and emotional issues in cats are rooted in an imbalanced response from aspects of the endocannabinoid system.
How Do You Give CBD to Cats?
CBD products for cats come in several forms:
- CBD Oils: Easily mixed into food or administered directly into the mouth. Dosage is typically based on weight.
- Soft Chews: A convenient and tasty option for cats that prefer treats.
- Topical Balms: Applied directly to areas of concern, such as dry skin or paws.
Giving CBD oil to cats isn't always the easiest thing to do because most cats won't allow you to calmly drop liquid into their mouth. Still, it's possible to drop CBD oil into your cat's cheek even while their jaw is closed.
Inserting the oil dropper between their lips on the side of their mouth and releasing the oil is what many cat owners do. While your cat may fuss, they'll ultimately lick the oil from the sides of their mouth and this gets the job done.
- Should you drop CBD oil on your cat's food? Not necessarily. Dropping oil onto food reduces its efficacy, especially if your cat doesn't eat the food right away. The most effective method is to drop it into the side of their mouth, because the oil is more likely to be absorbed by the blood vessels there. Sending the oil through the digestive tract by dropping and absorbing it onto food reduces the efficacy greatly.
- My cat won't let me drop oil into its mouth - what do I do? If your cat really hates the idea of an oil dropper, consider dropping it onto their favorite wet food. In most cases, cats will come running and lick the bowl clean, so you know they've gotten their daily dose right away. Just be sure to add an extra drop or two of oil to the wet food because some will be lost through the digestive process.
You can also opt for CBD cat treats, but these aren't typically as effective as CBD oil is. Lastly, CBD topical products are easiest to use, but they only apply to cats with topical skin issues.
Using topical CBD balm won't help your cat's emotional state, for example. If your cat has an itchy or uncomfortable spot on their skin, a dime-sized dab of topical balm is likely to help relieve some of that discomfort.
There are endocannabinoid receptors on cats' skin, so allowing CBD to absorb topically can provide relief to that localized area. This may reduce itchiness, and it could offer some moisturization and repair depending on the other ingredients in the balm.
How Long Does it Take for CBD to Work?
The onset of effects depends on the form and purpose:
- Calming effects: May be noticeable within 30-60 minutes.
- Joint support: May take several weeks of consistent use for noticeable results.
- Topical applications: Effects may vary depending on the severity of the issue.
CBD's effects on cats aren't immediate, although they can show within a half hour of its use. The emotional calming effects of CBD are often noted after roughly an hour, but they could arise sooner.
This makes CBD a smart move if your cat is afraid of certain things that you can predict - just give them their daily dosage at least 30 minutes before things like thunderstorms, fireworks, visitors, and other events that may frighten your cat.
Both mobility and calming benefits are most visible after extended use, however. It can take weeks, even months, for CBD levels to reach their peak in cats. This is why all of the benefits aren't immediately evident.
So, following dosage recommendations for a period of 2-4 weeks should allow you to see whether or not CBD will have a strong benefit to your cat, and continued use may deepen those benefits over time.
Is CBD Safe for Cats?
Research indicates that CBD is generally well tolerated in cats. However, it’s important to consult your veterinarian before introducing CBD, especially if your cat is on other medications. Monitor for any adverse reactions and discontinue use if necessary.
Always start by giving your cat a small dosage of CBD to see if they tolerate it well. Some cats may have digestive upset, and in very rare cases they could have an allergy to one of the ingredients used.
Lolahemp's CBD oil for cats contains only full-spectrum hemp extract and fractionated coconut oil - two ingredients which are overwhelmingly well-tolerated in our feline friends.
Once you know your cat tolerates CBD well, you can continue with the manufacturer's dosage guidelines - but don't exceed your cat's recommended dosage.
- High dosage risks: giving your cat too much CBD for their body weight could cause drowsiness, digestive upset, and lethargy.
- No known serious risks: there have been no reports of medically significant side effects from CBD use in cats, but that doesn't mean you should throw caution to the wind. Just follow the dosage guidelines based on your cat's weight.
What is the Best CBD Product for Cats?
The best CBD for cats is a full-spectrum hemp product made with high-quality, organic ingredients. A natural, well-concentrated oil is likely to be the best option for your cat.
Additionally, avoid CBD oils with too many added ingredients or unusual manufacturing practices. The best products are full-spectrum, not isolates, because full-spectrum oils are the closest to their natural state and undergo fewer harsh extraction processes.
Lolahemp CBD oil for cats is an excellent choice, made with organic full-spectrum hemp and fractionated coconut oil only. Lolahemp's oil is third-party lab tested and supported by great reviews.
Conclusion
CBD oil can support a cat's mobility and emotional health, while topical applications can also relieve some of the discomfort from itchy or irritated skin. It's important to discuss CBD with your veterinarian if you're considering giving it to your cat, especially if your cat is on medications or faces any pre-existing health issues.
If you decide that CBD is the right choice for your feline friend, follow the dosage guidelines and stick with it for 2-4 weeks to see if your cat responds well to it. There can be lasting benefits over the course of weeks and months, but these benefits won't necessarily show for all cats.
CBD is well-tolerated by most cats, and a high percentage may see some benefit from its use, but it's always important to start slow and monitor your cat's response. If you have any questions or concerns that weren't addressed in this article, please feel free to contact Lolahemp and we'd be happy to help you!
