CBD is becoming very popular these days, and many pet owners are talking about the hype. However, many also wanted to know what CBD or cannabidiol does and how it can impact the health of your pet cat.
Perhaps, as a pet owner, you may have heard the terms “cannabidiol” and “cannabinoids.” These terms refer to the compounds found in the hemp plants that affect your cat’s endocannabinoid system by activating its body’s receptors. Endocannabinoids can be produced naturally in a mammal’s body, but they can also get help from the plants’ phytocannabinoids.
Cannabidiol is a form of phytocannabinoids that can help your pet get relief from pain, anxiety, eating disorders, insomnia, and even cancer. Most of the CBD tinctures for cats are made up of organic ingredients, especially if they came from a reputable company. With this said, here is some information that you need to know about CBD oil for felines.
How to Use the Oil
For most pet parents, a drop of cannabidiol is more than enough to see the effects on their beloved felines. They mix the tincture into a bowl of their cat’s favorite salmon or beef. Most pets may like the taste of the oil, especially when it’s combined with sardines, so you can expect them to lick the bowl clean!
Although it might not be easy to administer the oil at first, you just have to keep trying. If they are not used to the oil, you can also get treats specially flavored for pets, so there’s a higher chance of them eating everything. If this is the first time for your pet, it’s not advised to give them cannabidiol in a sublingual manner because it has a grassy taste. Most kitties are picky, and they wouldn’t want anything to mess up their precious taste buds.
It’s best if they haven’t eaten anything yet or their stomachs are not full when starting with CBD. This way, the oil can easily be digested along with their lunch, and you should observe how well they are responding to the supplements. You can add the drops to their food in a week and see if they respond favorably. If you see improvements, you can increase the dose carefully for faster effects. Read more about choosing the right cannabidiol on this site here.
How Much Oil is Safe?
Most of the packages, leaflets, and labels on the CBD oil will tell you about the correct dosage that you need to take for your pet. You can also ask your vet about the supplements and whether they will react to certain medications your cat is currently taking. The best way to determine the dose is to consider the following factors.
Overall Condition of your Pet
Cannabidiol is usually a treatment for inflammation and pain. In many cases, the vets will recommend therapies to help your kitten cope and heal better. Those pets dealing with osteoarthritis will have to get more CBD Oil than those suffering from minor injuries. Treatments involving the CBD extracts should also last longer for felines that have just undergone surgeries compared to those with injured paws.
Age of the Feline
One of the essential factors to consider is the age of your kitty. A young one would not require the same amount of dosage as the adults because their bodies are not yet fully equipped to handle a larger dose. Adults and older cats may get the maximum recommended dosage because their bodies can cope with the possible side effects like dry mouth and sleepiness. Ask the representatives of the brand directly if you have questions about their products.
Body Weight
Most cats are small, but there are massive breeds out there. The massive cats have better tolerance when it comes to medications and supplements because of their body weights. It’s reasonable for them to get more CBD than the smaller kitties. Some websites have dosage charts for particular breeds, and you can always check them out if you’re unsure of the amount to give.
The Amount to Use
The dosage is often administered based on body weight. They might require a particular milligram of oil per kilogram of weight. If you know your pet’s weight, you can be confident with the doses that you’re giving them. Vets will provide you with more information about complications if applicable, but some may not specifically recommend CBD as a supplement since the FDA does not yet regulate this. Most pet owners begin with 1mg/kg of weight to be administered daily in most treatment options.
Concerns and Risks
It’s usually buyers ‘ beware when it comes to products that are not yet regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Do your research and find out the most recommended CBD tinctures for cats available in the market. You need to get a safe and effective product that doesn’t have side effects. Know that there’s still a need for in-depth studies about CBD’s contraindications with medications, long-term use, and the efficacy of the oil. More articles about a contraindication here: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002314.htm.
Aside from the lack of research, there are also various oils available worldwide, and they may contain little to no CBD. Always read the reviews, certificates, ingredients, and feedback from customers to know more about these kinds of information. Most owners are also required to look for legitimate companies following strict protocols in manufacturing their CBD products to be safe.
