Most of the time, cats are easygoing and don’t need much from their humans besides food, water, and the occasional snuggle. That being said, even the coolest cats around may need a little support at times.
And that’s because many cats can go through occasional periods of development that create stress in their lives. From playful kids to other curious pets in the home—or even an owner leaving the day—a cat’s environment may create stress in the day-to-day. In turn, your cat may act strange and on occasion experience over activity, excessive grooming, and other common stress-related behaviors.
This leaves many cat owners wondering how they can help their furry feline friend. For those who have tried CBD themselves and heard of formulas available for pets, cats and CBD oil may seem like a puurrrfect pair.
But can cats have CBD oil in the same way humans can?
CBD, which can be found in many different forms, is a plant-derived option that may provide the support your cat needs to help them feel a bit more calm and relaxed.
Of course, before giving your cat CBD, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian first.
What is CBD Oil?
Many cat owners that are considering CBD for their feline companion may have already tried it for themselves, but for those who haven’t, understanding what CBD is can be a good starting point.
Contrary to popular belief, CBD isn’t the same thing as marijuana. Although the latter contains CBD, it also has other compounds, such as THC, that create the sensation of being “high.”
By contrast, CBD comes from the industrial hemp plant.
One of the most common ways us humans take CBD is in the form of an oil that has been extracted from the plant. And this oil–rich in CBD, other hemp-derived cannabinoids, omegas and other nutrients–is used in several products to deliver CBD.
Is CBD Oil Safe for Cats?
While the popularity of CBD as a supplement has grown in recent years, only a few studies have been done regarding the safety of CBD for cats, so that’s why it’s best to discuss with your veterinarian the option of giving CBD to your cat.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when giving your cat CBD oil is the serving size. Just like in humans, too much of a good thing can be bad. So if you do choose to give your cat a CBD supplement, be sure to follow the serving size directions that your veterinarian has provided.
How Does CBD Oil Help Cats?
Humans and cats are similar in that we all have an ‘Endocannabinoid System” (ECS) which may play a role in maintaining inner calm and balance.
Many people tout the health benefits that CBD may have offered them, but pet owners have specifically mentioned a variety of ways that CBD oil may have supported their cat.
When choosing a CBD oil, look for a formula that contains a combination of cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes, as they may offer the best support for a calm mind and body for your cat, and complements their overall wellness.
Ultimately, more research needs to be done to uncover all of the benefits that CBD oil may offer for cats. Current pet owners often say, however, that CBD oil helps support their cat’s live a more comfortable life.
How Much CBD Oil Should I Give My Cat?
Since cats process CBD differently than humans and other pets like dogs, finding the right serving size can be challenging. The amount of CBD you should give your cat varies by brand, so it’s always best to follow the recommended serving size on the bottle or container.
We recommend consulting with your veterinarian first, and also reading the label on the bottle before purchasing or giving your furry friend any CBD.
It’s important to keep in mind that not all cats react the same way to CBD oil.
How to Give My Cat CBD Oil
Any pet owner that has tried to give their cat a medication or supplement knows that doing so can be a challenge. Fortunately, giving your cat CBD oil doesn’t have to be a nightmare.
The easiest thing to do is place the recommended number of drops of CBD oil into your cat’s food bowl. Then, mix it with a small portion of their favorite food. Most cats won’t even notice the oil and will happily lick it up.
In some cases, cats may be able to taste the slightly grassy flavor of full or broad-spectrum CBD. If you have a picky eater, certain types of CBD oil isolates are flavorless, which means your cat certainly won’t be able to tell. Many brands also add natural flavorings that are appealing to cats as well.
Keep in mind that it can take up to an hour for the effects of CBD oil to start working for your cat. On top of this, it may take several days or even weeks for CBD oil to start having the desired lasting effect you may have discussed with your veterinarian.
Tips to Choose the Best CBD Oil for My Cat
Naturally, pet owners want to get the best products for their furry friends. If you think that CBD oil may help your cat live a happier life, you may be wondering where to find the best kind on the market.
Fortunately, there are plenty of great options to choose from.
Tip #1: Read the Label
One of the most important things to look for when shopping is the list of ingredients. Be wary of products that contain artificial fillers and low-quality ingredients. For more high quality ingredients get non-GMO or organic.
Tip #2: Check for Batch Reports
Secondly, make sure the maker of CBD oil for your cat can provide batch reports. Trustworthy CBD brands should be transparent and make it easy to view the process of how their CBD was manufactured. This makes it easier for buyers to know they are getting a high quality, authentic product. Some brands offer third party lab testing as well to ensure the quality of their product.
Tip #3: Find the Right Potency
Next, be sure to choose a CBD oil that clearly lists its potency. Potency is how strong or how much CBD the product actually contains. Make sure to check the potency to make sure you are getting the perfect strength for your cat.
Tip #4: Look for a Flavor Your Cat will Like
Finally, get a flavor your cat will like. Giving pet pills, capsules, and other forms of medicine or supplements is never easy. Make it easy for your cat to consume the CBD by getting a tasty flavor. Some brands even make CBD products that are specially formulated for cats. They may contain things like sardine oil or other flavors to make them more attractive. Although this isn’t necessary, it could make giving your cat CBD oil an easier process.
Where to Get CBD Oil for My Cat
As mentioned, there are many places to buy high-quality CBD products for your cat. It’s best to speak with your veterinarian to see if there are certain brands they recommend, and be sure the CBD product comes with transparent information and third-party lab testing results. Look for a CBD oil that is free of things like heavy metals, herbicides, and pesticides so you know you are giving your cat the best quality CBD oil around.
Interested in Learning About CBD for Us Humans, too?
This is what we at HempFusion specialize in.
While HempFusion products are certainly not meant for pets, they are formulated to be loved by us humans.
If you’re familiar with HempFusion products, for example, you know that we infuse our organically produced hemp oil with ashwagandha to make our CBD for stress support, or with GABA to make our CBD for sleep support. Other popular ways people like to consume CBD include taking CBD capsules, CBD oil tinctures, or even CBD gummies (our new CBD gummies are delicious! But for humans only).
Check out our archive of articles to learn more about CBD.