A Handy How-To Guide for Dosing CBD Oil For Cats
Although talk of CBD has been around the use for humans and dogs, cats are just as much a part of our family - so that brings up a big question: Can CBD help them live their best lives, too? There are a lot of reasons to think the answer on hemp for cats may be yes.
HOW DOES CBD WORK?
All animals have an endocannabinoid system, and it plays a big role in keeping them healthy. The body produces endocannabinoids, substances much like the cannabinoids found in cannabis. These travel the bloodstream and attach to cells throughout the body to deliver messages and instructions that tell it what’s going on and how to react. Almost every bodily process is affected by these endocannabinoids.
That's how CBD works. It takes the place of these endocannabinoids. When they aren’t delivering the instructions we need them to, or when the system is under more stress than normal, then CBD can help bring everything back to a state of homeostasis.
HOW DOES CBD OIL FOR CATS WORK?
Cats have an endocannabinoid system, too. So it’s hardly a stretch to think that CBD can help them with things like anxiety, stress, inflammation, and pain in the same way we’re finding out it helps the rest of us. And we do see and hear lots of anecdotal evidence to back up the idea about hemp oil for cats —from stories about unpettable cats turning in snugglebugs to reports of arthritic felines getting their mojo back.
Still, we can’t say for 100% sure because there just isn’t any long-term studies (yet!) to confirm our suspicions. We do know that CBD appears to be as safe for cats as it is for dogs. One project found large doses of hemp oil could cause side effects but said THC contamination was probably to blame. That same study also found that CBD was absorbed and eliminated differently in cats than it was in pups, which may mean modifying our doses for cats.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CBD OIL FOR CATS?
CBD's main claim to fame is it's ability to decrease inflammation and thus decrease chronic pain in mammals. Researchers at Cornell University fount that CBD oil is great at treating pain because they taret a receptor called the 'villanoid receptor' and prevent it from turing on.
CBD is also an excellent neuroprotector which makes it great at treating neurological disorders like seizures and epilepsy.
Other ways in which CBD can benefit cats is by helping with their:
- Anxiety
- Pain
- Inflammation
- Seizures/ Epilepsy
- Arthritis
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Urinary Tract
- Overall Wellness
WHICH CBD OIL?
CBD oil for cats usually comes mixed with a few other ingredients to help make it more palatable and nutritious. Often times human or dog CBD is mixed with coconut oil or hemp seed oil. Unfortunately, cats can't process the healthy fatty acids found in plants like coconuts (that's because they're carnivores.
So look for CBD oils containing sardine oil instead, like Austin and Kat's Purrfect Feline Formula. And if you must use a coconut oil-based CBD, make sure you get a concentrated one so your furry friend isn't ingesting too much.
HOW MUCH CBD SHOULD I GIVE?
For CBD hemp oil directions, we recommend giving a dose of 2-4 mg of CBD per 10 pounds for cats to start. This is twice the amount we recommend for dogs, but don't fret. Cat's don't have as many cannabinoid receptors as dogs so they need twice the amount to see the same effects. For cats with cancer or seizures, start with 4-6mg of CBD per 10 pounds.
The more difficult the condition, the more CBD you'll need. But start small and go up until your furry feline is feeling happier and calmer. A little less, or even a little more oil won’t do any harm. Consuming hemp seed oil doesn't have to be an exact science at first. Dosing can easily remain approximate until you’re able to find what works best for your cat.
Charlie, or Char-Char, for example, is a lazy 25-pound orange tabby cat. He would have a starting serving of 5mg of CBD and can increase to 10mg if 4mg is not enough for him. If they don't like the oil, you can give your cat cbd treats.
Just remember - It takes about 15-45 minutes to reach full-effect in your pet’s system and lasts for about 4 - 6 hours, depending on breed, ailments, activity level, and their own personal chemistry.
Use our handy CBD Dosage Chart to find the perfect amount for your cat!
HOW DO I USE THE OIL?
To use, most people will drop the oil into their cat’s food bowl and mix it with a little bit of their food. Most cats like the taste of the oil so much (when mixed with sardine), so they will lick it straight out of a bowl!
Though it may be easy, we don’t necessarily recommend giving your cat the oil sublingually - they're not too fond of having their mouths messed with.
We've found that the CBD oil absorbs best when not taken on a full stomach. See how they respond throughout the day and do the same process in the evening. Try that for a week and feel free to increase the dosing size until your pet responds favorably.
Every cat is different so play around with how you give the oil to your furry friend. As long as the oil is working to help them be more comfortable and happy, that's all that really matters.
CONCLUSION
But the bottom line is pretty simple: If your feline friend is suffering from any of the conditions CBD is traditionally used to treat, it can’t hurt to give to a try. Our CBD oil for cats is probably your best bet. It’s got a cat-friendly taste and is easy to add to food. Start with 2mg for every 10 pounds and adjust the dosage as needed.
