Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, has risen in popularity in recent years though it has been around for longer. This is mostly as a result of its many health benefits and its recent legality in the United States. It can be used to treat different ailments in both humans and in most animals.
CBD is one of the many cannabinoids and compounds found in the cannabis plant. Unlike marijuana, cannabidiol from the hemp plant is non-psychoactive that is, it does not have any effect on cognitive brain activity or make the user high. You may read more about it in this article.
CBD can be processed in several ways that are fit for consumption for humans. The same applies to those manufactured to be used by animals.
Interestingly, you can use it to treat most ailments in your cat. It can usually be presented in different forms which include CBD oil, treats, chews, pills, etc. It can also be added to your pet’s food as a part of its meal and can be included in other products that may be administered to it.
How Safe is it?
CBD oil is generally safe for use on cats. It can either be used to maintain their wellbeing or to treat diseases and ailment that might be affecting them.
In administering it to your pet, you should do so with proper care as the CBD industry is a “buyer beware” market. This is why it is important to research and seek out trusted and reputable sellers. The best form of cannabidiol is the organic type which means it is pure, grown, cultivated, and processed naturally without any additives or pesticides. This results in a high-quality product that is not harmful to the user.
Reputable manufacturers and retailers will be able to give you this and in fact, if you request for it, they can provide you with a lab report detailing how the product was processed if you need to be sure.
It is also important that you do not buy a product whose THC content is higher than 0.3%. You also be sure that you are not buying marijuana as this can be harmful rather than helpful to your pet.
You can learn more about how safe this product is for your pet in this article https://www.petmd.com/cat/care/cbd-safe-cats.
What are the Side Effects of CBD Oil?
Asides its many health benefits, another good thing about CBD and its derivatives or products is that there are very few if any, side effects. The very few side effects are not in any way harmful, especially if, as recommended above, you use a quality product.
Side effects might show up for reasons such as high or wrong dosage, using a wrong product (there are specific products for cats) or using a low-quality product. It might also be a result of using it for the first time and your cat has not acclimatized to using CBD in which case, it eventually goes away after a while.
Some potential side effects may include:
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue or exhaustion
- Increased thirst
- Lethargy which can be a result of feeling sleepy.
Cannabidiol also helps calm the nerves and may make your pet sleepy than usual. This is why it is good for treating anxiety. If you are using the right product and you notice any side effects in your cat, you should watch it for the next couple of days to see an improvement or reduce the administered dose. If it is severe, you may then need to visit the vet as soon as possible.
CBD Oil Dosage
Using organic CBD oil for cats is mostly facilitated through the use of tinctures which make getting a few drops under your feline’s tongue easier than it normally will be. It can also be topically applied to its skin or mixed with its meal.
Currently, there is no generally stipulated dosage but there are guidelines on how to administer it to your pet. The dosage to use most time is dependent on the age, size of your pet, and the kind of ailment you are treating.
Most manufacturers and retailers will provide you with dosage guidelines to use and you can also find recommendations and dosage calculators online. These will help you decide what quantity to administer to your cat based on the different factors.
Conclusion
CBD is good for your cat but as much as this is true, it is important to carry out due diligence before making your purchase. Be sure to go for high quality, organic products. You can easily achieve this by buying from trustworthy websites. This will help you prevent any harm coming to your pet.
