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There's a lot of talk about CBD and its potential health benefits for humans and dogs, but what about our feline friends? Do cannabinoids have any effect on cats?
Just like humans, felines experience pain, inflammation, and anxiety. Researchers have been investigating the potential benefits of CBD for cats, and some preliminary evidence suggests that CBD may be beneficial for cats and dogs alike.
What is CBD?
CBD is one of the major cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. It's non-psychoactive, meaning it doesn't get you high, and has a range of potential health benefits for humans like reducing anxiety, relieving pain, and reducing inflammation.
Does CBD help cats?
Initial research suggests that cannabinoids may be beneficial to cats in many ways. For example, cannabinoid receptors are found in the brain and central nervous system of cats, and it's thought that cannabinoids may help to regulate certain functions in these areas.
Additionally, there's some evidence that cannabinoids may be helpful in treating seizures and other neurological problems in cats. CBD oil has even been shown to be effective in reducing inflammation and pain in cats with arthritis.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD may be helpful for cats with conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, and arthritis.
One study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery found that CBD oil was effective in reducing pain and inflammation in a cat with arthritis. The study's authors noted that CBD oil showed promising results as a treatment for chronic pain in cats.
Another study published in the journal Veterinary Record found that CBD oil was effective in reducing anxiety in cats. The study's authors noted that CBD oil could be a useful treatment for anxiety in cats who are fearful or stressed.
Are there any side effects when cats intake CBD?
The Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery study found that CBD oil was generally well tolerated by cats, with no adverse effects reported.
The Veterinary Record study also found that CBD oil was generally well tolerated by cats, with a few minor side effects reported in rare cases.
Overall, the evidence suggests that CBD is safe for cats and may have some beneficial effects. However, more research is needed to determine the full extent of CBD's side effects for cats.
There are a few minor side effects when cats intake high dosages of CBD, like drowsiness and upset tummies. It's also been shown that side effects were more common with oils that contains THC. So when administering CBD to your feline friends, always take note of the dosage and THC content! Choose a brand that contains zero THC, such as CBDog™ Oils for Pets from Green Valley Nutrition!
Let's talk about dosage, just how much is enough?
Well, according to Justyna E Kulpa and others (2021) "..a dose of 0.5–5 mg/kg body weight per day is a safe and effective starting point for CBD treatment in cats." Cannabis oil dosages for pets should start low and gradually increase as needed. You may need to experiment a bit to find the optimal dosage for your cat.
Green Valley Nutrition makes it easy to provide your animal with an appropriate dose of CBD oil. Our 100mg CBDog Oil for Pets contains 7mg per serving- perfect for making life better for cats and small dogs alike. If you somehow messed up and administered more than the recommended range, don't panic! CBD is shown to be safe for cats, even at around the 30.5 mg/kg dosage.
In conclusion
At this point, there is significant evidence to suggest that CBD may be beneficial for certain conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, and arthritis. Side effects appear to be minimal, and CBD appears to be safe for cats even at high dosages. Always consult with your veterinarian before giving your cat CBD oil, especially if they are taking any other medications. And be sure to choose a brand of CBD oil that contains zero THC. Remember to start with a low dosage and increase as needed. Thanks for reading!