Cat parents are always looking for new ways of keeping their furry family members happy and healthy. Unfortunately, our feline friends may be the most underserved member of our household because of the limited number of treatments available for their health problems. This is one of the reasons why many folks are starting to explore CBD oil for cats.
While research specific to felines is still in its initial stages, this powerful alternative may have a huge effect on your kitty’s overall comfort and life quality.
That said, administering CBD to your cat is very different to a dog, and knowing the difference between the two can help you find the most effective alternative for your furry friend.
In this post, we’ll go over the benefits of using CBD oil for cats. We’ll also discuss the difference between administering this natural compound to felines and canines in order to help you find the best solution for your kitty.
Introducing CBD for Pets
Just like humans, cats and dogs can suffer from a variety of health complications. These range from chronic pain to epilepsy, arthritis, anxiety, and many more. Needless to say, these conditions can reduce our pet’s life quality, alter their behavior, and shorten their lifespan.
While seeking veterinary help is essential, conventional treatments don’t always provide relief. Or, in some cases, the side effects can be just as intense as the disease itself. This has led many owners to seek a more natural, holistic approach in the form of CBD for pets.
CBD, which stands for cannabidiol, is a compound that comes from the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, cannabidiol does not have a psychoactive effect so it will not produce an uncomfortable sensation for your kitty. This natural compound interacts with your cat’s endocannabinoid system, which can regulate the perception of pain, inflammatory response, and many other basic body functions.
The Endocannabinoid System
in Cats and Dogs
Like all other mammals, cats and dogs have an endocannabinoid system or ECS. This part of the body is in charge of controlling body functions that directly affect your health and well-being. The ECS is responsible for regulating:
- Blood temperature and sugar levels
- Protein breakdown and consumption
- The body’s inflammatory response
- Brain function, which includes anxiety
- Digestion and gastrointestinal health
- Energy consumption and metabolism
- The sensation of pain and inflammatory response
- Production of immune cells
- Fat distribution
- Appetite, which includes hunger and satiation
The endocannabinoid system consists of cannabinoid receptors that can be found in the brain, nervous system, and other parts of your body. These receptors monitor the body’s performance and can trigger different responses that in turn affect your cat’s health. In many cases, an unbalanced or otherwise unhealthy endocannabinoid system can cause a huge number of health problems for any organism, and our furry friends are no exception.
When you use CBD oil for cats, the natural compound interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are part of the ECS. Therefore, cannabidiol doesn’t work like a stimulant or other conventional drugs. Instead, it aids the body’s natural processes and triggers certain responses that reduce inflammation, block the sensation of pain, relieve spasms, and modulate appetite among other things.
CBD for Cats: How is it Different than CBD for Dogs?
Despite the fact that dogs also have an ECS, there’s a key difference you should keep in mind before using CBD oil for cats. Felines have a much more sensitive digestive system, so there’s a strong chance they will not respond well to human or even dog-specific CBD.
Remember, all pets have a different gastrointestinal tract, so you’ll want to find a formula that’s designed for cats’ individual needs. If not, your kitty may experience gastrointestinal discomfort after you administer the CBD oil.
For this reason, at Made By Hemp, we’ve developed an effective line of high-quality CBD oil for cats. Our Made By Hemp CBD oil for Cats may help restore physical balance and give your kitty a natural health boost without producing gastrointestinal discomfort.
[CBD Oil for Dogs: Best Practices]
Is CBD Oil Safe for Cats?
Like with all new supplements, many folks are asking themselves “is CBD oil safe for cats?” and the answer is a resounding yes. Today, cat parents are turning to CBD because it has shown the potential to help symptoms like:
- Anxiety and stress due to separation and other factors
- Aggressive behavior towards humans and other animals
- Constant meowing
- Skin irritation and discomfort
- Coping with new environments or long car trips
- Irregular bowel movements or litter box phobias
Although research still needs to be carried out, there are many studies that highlight the safety profile of CBD. According to research carried out in animal models, the most common side effects of using CBD oil for cats include sedation, sleepiness, and in rare cases, gastrointestinal issues.
Even if the safety profile of CBD oil has been extensively documented, you should still keep in mind that all cats are different. Some felines may react differently to cannabis oil, so make sure you monitor your cat closely to make sure the CBD doesn’t cause severe side effects.
If your cat starts behaving oddly after taking CBD oil, you can always reduce the serving size or stop administering it all together.
Best CBD Oil for Cats
There are dozens of CBD products and hundreds of brands to choose from, but not all of them follow the same quality guidelines. Lower quality products can contain solvents and other ingredients that can compromise the purity of the CBD and produce serious side effects.
Instead, you should always try to find a company that has superior CBD products that are made from the finest industrial hemp. Not only this, but you should also verify that the oils, tinctures, and other goods have a certificate of analysis (COA) from a third party to ensure that the final products are pure and unadulterated.
Sourcing the Best CBD Oil for Cats
At Made By Hemp, our main goal is to deliver high-quality CBD products for your whole family, including your fur babies. If you want to learn more about sourcing the best CBD oil for cats, get in touch with us today or browse through our curated collection to find the ideal solution for your kitty.
