There’s a lot of discussion regarding the benefits of CBD for both humans and dogs, but cats are usually left out of the CBD conversation. That raises the question: what are the benefits of CBD oil for cats?
In short, CBD for cats can have numerous benefits! Just like us, and our dogs, cats have an endocannabinoid system that plays a critical role in keeping them at optimal health. A cat’s body, just like other mammals, have a system of receptors which interact with the compounds found in CBD oil to maintain balance in the body. Making CBD for cats a great option for helping your pet’s ailments.
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Benefits of CBD Oil for Cats
The benefits of CBD oil for cats are numerous, similar to the many benefits CBD can provide to our dogs. One of the most common uses of CBD oil for cats is relieving levels of inflammation in the body, leading to decreased pain. Allergies, chronic pain, arthritis, autoimmune disease, and diabetes are all conditions associated with inflammation in the body. By addressing the inflammation, CBD oil for cats can help many conditions that are ailing your pet. CBD is also neuroprotective, which means CBD oil for cats can help with conditions like seizures in our cats.
This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study shows that CBD for cats is also extremely safe. This recent study aimed to determine the safety and tolerability of increasing doses of both CBD and THC, alone and in combination, in healthy cats. All adverse effects were mild, such as lethargy and diarrhea.
CBD Oil For Cats With Anxiety
Determining whether or not a cat has anxiety is a bit more complicated than a dog in most cases. Cats aren’t typically as obvious with their anxiety and tend to react a bit differently. Some signs your cat may be experiencing anxiety include hiding in odd areas, lack of appetite, increased urination or defecation, and/or suddenly no longer utilizing the litter box.
According to Jae Kennedy, co-owner of Two Crazy Cat Ladies, Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) can be caused by stress. The term ‘idiopathic’ means unknown. That’s why it’s Feline Idiopathic Cystitis; the exact cause of FIC is unknown, resulting in frustration and confusion among cat lovers. However, studies have shown that 75-80% of cats diagnosed with FIC will significantly improve when stress is decreased.
Jae Kennedy also states that “cats internalize stress, so it is not often that you will notice the stress your cat is enduring. If your cat has feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), just work to reduce his stress by putting him on a healthy diet, reducing unnecessary vaccines and medications, and keeping him on his daily routine.”
According to Jae Kennedy, not only is Full Spectrum CBD helpful for FIC, but it is also helpful for most (if not all) other conditions involving stress in cats. This includes other urinary problems, lack of socialization, or lack of interest in activities the cat once enjoyed. CBD for cats with anxiety can help alleviate that stress and, therefore, potentially help their ailments.
Having CBD oil for cats on hand may help your cat feel more comfortable while you determine what could be triggering the increased anxiety levels. For CBD for cats with anxiety, we recommend our CALM: CBD Oil for Cats, formulated with full spectrum hemp extract and lavender essential oil, to help your cat’s anxiety, stress, and fear.
Related: Feline Idiopathic Cystitis: Can CBD Oil for Cats Help?
CBD For Arthritis and Joint Pain in Cats
The term ‘arthritis’ literally means inflammation of joints. Since CBD is a known anti-inflammatory, it comes as no surprise it can help ease the symptoms of arthritis in our cats. Full Spectrum Hemp Extract may be the best option to offer your cat a safe and natural alternative to pain medications. The discomfort that our arthritic cats experience is typically caused by inflammation in their joints. By soothing that inflammation, you can address the cause of the issue and prevent the pain.
According to Dr. Gary Richter, an Integrative Veterinarian, “Anecdotal reports and my own professional experience with medical cannabis in dogs and cats lead me to be 100 percent certain that it is safe in appropriate doses and, in many cases, effective in the treatment of disease and relieving pain.”
A study published in 2006 in Current Neuropharmacology also concluded that CBD has therapeutic benefits for both people and pets suffering from chronic pain and acute, chronic pain episodes. For CBD for cats with Arthritis, we recommend our EASE: CBD Oil for Cats, formulated with frankincense and turmeric, to alleviate your cat’s inflammation and pain naturally.
CBD Oil For Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats
CBD is also one of the safest options for cats with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. As stated earlier, CBD is an anti-inflammatory and works with the endocannabinoid system to restore balance to the body. CBD has been demonstrated to help cats with gastrointestinal issues maintain a healthy gut microbiome. The gut microbiota determines much of our cat’s health and well-being. A healthy gut is always the most crucial aspect to consider when it comes to healing your pet, and it all starts with the microbiome.
CBD has also been shown to reduce inflammation, particularly inflammation in the gut, and when coupled with a good diet, CBD for cats can help with IBD symptoms and other common issues. According to research, “migraine, fibromyalgia, IBS and related conditions display common clinical, biochemical and pathophysiological patterns that suggest an underlying clinical endocannabinoid deficiency that may be suitably treated with cannabinoid medicines.”
CBD Oil For Cancer in Cats
Full Spectrum Hemp Extract (FSHE) CBD oil offers multifaceted benefits for cats with cancer. CBD oil for cats with cancer has been well studied and known to have antitumor and anticancer effects. FSHE CBD oil has been shown to complement and increase the effectiveness of treatments like chemotherapy and radiation due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Let’s look at some of the more common cancer treatment symptoms that a FSHE* CBD for cats with cancer can help manage (studies in links):
Pairing FSHE CBD for cats with cancer, with a mushroom extract for cats containing Turkey Tail mushroom, will increase this effect since Turkey Tail is also well known for its therapeutically enhancing effects. Additionally, FSHE CBD aids in post-surgical healing, making it a versatile and safe choice for feline cancer patients, with no risk of overdose or long-term side effects.
CBD for Tumors in Cats
Introducing CBD oil into your cat’s regimen can be a game-changer, especially when dealing with tumors and growths.
In numerous preclinical studies, CBD has been shown to:
- Prevent vascular development to tumors
- Inhibit growth of malignant cells
- Increase apoptosis (cell recycling, death of old cells)
Just ask Buddy, the 18-year-old feline whose life took a remarkable turn with the help of CBD Dog Health’s HEAL CBD oil for cats formula. Facing a sizable tumor near his eye, Buddy’s conventional veterinarian suggested the drastic measure of removing his eye. However, considering Buddy’s age and the potential stress of surgery, his owner sought a gentler alternative. Enter HEAL. Almost immediately after starting the CBD regimen, Buddy’s tumor began to shrink. Within just three months, the tumor had vanished completely, sparing Buddy from invasive surgery and giving him a new lease on life.
CBD For Viral Illness in Cats
Many cats suffer from viral illnesses like FIV and herpes. CBD is an incredible antiviral and anti-inflammatory for all the inflammatory effects these viruses cause. In addition, these viruses cause a lack of appetite from stress, which CBD is a proven appetite stimulant and antiemetic (anti-vomiting). Swollen lymph nodes are also a common issue with cats dealing with viral infections, and CBD is also a potent way to modulate the immune system and control this issue.
CBD For Diabetes in Cats
Diabetes is a challenging disease to manage and is unfortunately quite common in cats. In addition to a fresh, whole-food diet, using CBD to manage your cat’s diabetes is a great idea. Diabetes in cats, at its foundation, is an inflammatory disease. We already know that CBD is one of the best anti-inflammatories there is. CBD helps manage the inflammatory response associated with diabetes and reduces neuroinflammation in diabetics as well.
Another recent study found that full spectrum hemp extract CBD lowered the instance of diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice. Yet another study found that full-spectrum hemp extract CBD may also improve circulation and improve overall health in diabetic rats. These studies are promising that full-spectrum hemp CBD can help with diabetes in cats.
It is important to note that before you change a diabetic cat’s diet or attempt to wean off insulin, you should speak to your holistic veterinarian to prevent a sudden drop in blood sugar. You can safely use CBD for diabetes in pets in conjunction with insulin, but should ensure that the full-spectrum hemp CBD you use does not have added sugars.
CBD For Cats with Asthma & Upper REspiratory Diseases
Our kitties are very susceptible to various upper respiratory diseases. Keeping your home environment free from pollutants (like scented candles and air fresheners) and contaminants (like dust and mold) will significantly reduce the symptoms of upper respiratory issues.
CBD also helps relax airways to increase oxygenation throughout the body and reduce inflammation within the airways. Combining CBD with a medicinal mushroom extract like Breathe by MycoCat will be a golden combination to help your kitty breathe better all day without any harmful side effects.
CBD For Cats with Autoimmune Disease
Autoimmune diseases like pemphigus foliaceus, stomatitis, systemic lupus erythematosis, and hemolytic anemia are the more common autoimmune diseases faced by cats. Due to CBD’s potent immunomodulatory effects, managing autoimmune disease with CBD is the perfect fit. CBD’s immunosuppressive qualities help your cat’s immune system act more appropriately when faced with these diseases.
Pairing Full Spectrum Hemp Extract CBD oil with medicinal mushrooms, like our unique blend formulated explicitly for autoimmune diseases, MycoCat Vitality is the perfect way to tackle your cat’s autoimmune issues from all angles.
CBD For Cats with Epilepsy/Seizures
CBD has been used by humans to help reduce seizures for years and has shown great success in both animals and people. In fact, in 2003, the U.S. government patented CBD as a neuroprotectant. CBD has been shown to have anticonvulsant properties that may reduce the frequency and severity of seizures in cats.
Using FSHE CBD oil for epilepsy is one of our favorite uses for CBD since the medications used to treat epilepsy are very harsh on our pet’s organ systems and change their personality and behavior. Using FSHE at a dose appropriate to the condition, in this case, about 35-50mg a day of our HEAL formula will help shorten seizure duration and reduce seizure frequency while maintaining an excellent quality of life and personality.
CBD For Cats with Kidney Disease
Chronic Kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most common diseases affecting our feline friends. While CBD won’t cure kidney disease, it can help manage many of the symptoms of kidney disease in cats.
FSHE CBD oil is a fantastic remedy for nausea, which many CKD cats experience. This effect alone will not only help your cat eat better, but by eating better, they will also have a better muscle mass and fewer skin and coat issues caused by lack of nutrients. The MCT oil in our products will also help promote healthy skin and coat! Cats with CKD often experience feline depression as well, which FSHE is an excellent tool for.
CBD Oil For Cats Dosage
Contrary to popular belief, your pet’s optimal CBD oil dosage depends more on the ailment than your pet’s size or weight. For example, CBD for cats with cancer will require a higher dosage than CBD for cats with anxiety. According to research, it has been presumed that cats are less sensitive to cannabis than dogs.
CBD Dog Health’s Full Spectrum CBD oil for cats, dogs, and horses is meant to provide the average effective daily dose to aid with several conditions that each tincture is formulated to address in a single 1mL dose. This general guideline works for most animals, but sensitivity to CBD can depend on several factors unique to each pet, so your pet may require more or less than our standard recommended dose. Therefore, we recommend using a trial-and-error method to find your cat’s optimal dose. Begin with a low CBD oil dose for cats, and gradually adjust according to your cat’s needs.
Related: CBD Dosage for Pets
CBD Dog Health’s CBD Oil for Cats
Our EASE: CBD Oil for Cats is designed to soothe your cat’s aches and pains. This anti-inflammatory tincture is formulated with turmeric and frankincense to help your cat’s joint pain, arthritis, and allergies by addressing and relieving inflammation. Our Ease CBD Oil is recommended for cats suffering from chronic joint pain, arthritis, mobility problems, allergies, pancreatitis, and other inflammation-related conditions. A standard 1mL dose of our Ease CBD oil for cats contains 9mg of CBD.
Our CALM: CBD Oil for cats is designed to alleviate your cat’s anxiety, stress, and fear. This organic, full-spectrum tincture is formulated with lavender essential oil, which is ideal for naturally managing chronic anxiety and situational fear in your cat. Our Calm CBD Oil for cats is our recommended CBD oil for cats with anxiety for alleviating stress and anxiety during stressful situations, including travel, thunderstorms, fireworks, grooming, and vet appointments. A standard 1mL dose of our Calm CBD oil for cats contains 9mg of CBD.
Our HEAL: CBD Oil for cats was formulated with our highest CBD content. Our Heal CBD oil for cats is designed to help alleviate higher levels of pain as well as potentially helping your cat with serious ailments, including seizures, cancer, tumors, autoimmune diseases, degenerative diseases, and more. Our Heal CBD oil for cats provides a standard 1mL dose containing 37mg of CBD.
CBD Dog Health’s Topical CBD for Cats
Our SOOTHE: Topical CBD for Cats is great for soothing irritations caused by allergies, dermatitis, hot spots, or bug bites. This all-natural, Full Spectrum topical CBD for cats offers a holistic solution to everyday irritants, promoting your cat’s well-being. SOOTHE, available in a 2oz jar with 300mg of CBD, addresses cat allergies, dermatitis, inflammation, hot spots, bug bites, and itchy skin. Keep your cat healthy and content, steering clear of discomfort and the urge to scratch or chew.
Our NOURISH: Topical CBD for Cats is our recommended salve for tending to your cat’s dry paws, elbows, or noses. Offering optimal relief for cat dry skin, keeping cat’s skin moisturized and protected. This all-natural, Full Spectrum CBD Salve, available in a 2oz jar with 300mg of CBD, is crafted from organic ingredients, promoting a healthy and holistic lifestyle for your feline companion.
Administering CBD Oil for Cats
Administration (as well as dosage) of CBD oil depends highly on bioavailability. Bioavailability refers to the amount of time, and the rate, that something absorbs into your cat’s bloodstream as well as how much is excreted. That’s why the way you administer CBD oil is so important.
The most effective method, with the highest absorption rate, is administering CBD oil onto your cat’s gums. Lift your cat’s lip and place the dropper over the gums to allow the tincture to be absorbed through the membranes of the mouth. This will allow the CBD to bypass the digestive system and enter the bloodstream quickly.
The second method we recommend is adding CBD oil to your cat’s food or treats. Although fatty foods have been shown to aid in the absorption of CBD, this method will take longer to show effect, as it must pass through the digestive system before reaching the bloodstream. In addition to taking longer, the digestive tract will filter the CBD oil, and some cannabinoids in the oil will likely be broken down and excreted.
If your cat refuses to ingest the CBD oil, the next best place is the hairless area on the underside of your cat’s ear. There are a lot of blood vessels in that area, providing another method to bypass the digestive tract. You can also apply the oil to the cat’s paw pads. Paw pads in cats are highly vascularized (a lot of blood vessels), so the CBD can be absorbed into their body in that sense as well.
The Bottom Line
CBD for cats may be the best option if your cat is suffering from an ailment, especially any of the conditions mentioned above. If you are unsure which tincture to choose, how to use the tinctures, or have any CBD-related questions, you can contact our team for help anytime.
