CBD is something that seems to be all over the news and internet these days. Unfortunately, there’s also a lot of misinformation and confusion out there about what CBD actually is and what it does.
CBD has been shown to provide a wide variety of therapeutic and medicinal benefits. However, the benefits of CBD aren’t just limited to people. It’s been shown to be an effective treatment for cats and dogs as well. Interested in learning more?
Continue reading and we’ll walk you through the best CBD for cats
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical compound that comes from the Cannabis Sativa plant. There are two types of Cannabis Sativa plants out there – hemp and marijuana.
Hemp contains high levels of CBD and low levels of THC. Marijuana, on the other hand, contains high levels of THC and low levels of CBD.
THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the primary active ingredient in marijuana. This compound contains psychoactive characteristics that are responsible for the classic “marijuana high.” CBD doesn’t contain any intoxicating properties and can’t get you high.
CBD and THC for Cats
CBD interacts with the same metabolic pathways as a type of drug known as NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Ibuprofen and Rimadyl are two examples of NSAIDs. These pathways are in charge of many processes in the body, including inflammatory responses and blood clotting.
Interestingly enough, when an animal takes CBD in conjunction with THC, the efficacy of CBD actually improves, so long as the mixture contains no more than 0.3% THC. This is referred to as the “entourage effect,” and it states that CBD is able to inhibit the negative effects of THC while boosting its positive effects.
Benefits of CBD Oil for Cats
What does CBD do? Well, a lot actually.
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in both humans as well as cats. And because of this, the positive effects that CBD has on people will also be shared by our furry friends. Let’s look into some specifics below.
Pain and Swelling in Cats
CBD is able to treat joint inflammation, and especially arthritis. Swelling and pain are controlled by the vanilloid receptor in both the brains of people and in cats. CBD oils are great methods for treating pain because they are able to connect with that receptor and stop it from turning on.
When this neuron is able to activate, it won’t be able to send swelling and pain signals through the body. Eventually, the pain points will gradually go away on their own.
Depression and Anxiety
Depression and anxiety are both partly caused by hormonal imbalances in the brain. Although we usually think of these issues to be relegated to humans only, that’s not the case. Cats and dogs can also experience symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Due to the face that our ECS is in charge of regulating our appetite, sleep, and mood, it makes sense why taking CBD can reduce the negative symptoms of these disorders. CBD can help to rebalance the mind and help the hormones in the body get back to their normal rate of fluctuation.
CBD is also able to stimulate serotonin and adenosine in your cat’s brain. This can leave them with long-term benefits when it comes to mood and happiness.
CBD won’t just help your cat manage depression and anxiety, though. It can also treat other issues relating to fear or mood. For example, cats that are afraid of traveling in cars can benefit from the calming effects of CBD oil.
Epilepsy and Seizures
CBD is perhaps most well-known for being able to treat epilepsy and seizures. This information became highly regarded after the case of Charlotte Figi came to light.
Charlotte was a young girl who would experience several hundred seizures every week. After taking CBD, the number of seizures she experienced dropped to two or three a month.
Seizures are due to electrical disruptions that occur in the brain. Your brain then responds to this by forcing the body to shake violently. CBD is able to reduce the number of electrical disruptions and thus reduce the number of seizures one experiences.
Best CBD for Cats
Now that we have a better understanding of how CBD can benefit your cat, let’s go over some types of CBD products that can be the most effective. It’s also important to recognize that veterinarians are not allowed to prescribe CBD products for animals. However, this shouldn’t stop you from speaking to your vet about what kind of treatment regiment would be best for your little guy.
CBD Oil Tincture
You want to find a CBD oil that’s made from organic hemp grown in America. It should use whole plant CO2 extraction as well. Many of these oils are also formulated with high omega-3 hemp seed oil in order to give your cat helpful fatty acids.
CBD Capsules
CBD capsules are easy to hide in treats or food. They should also come from organic hemp and can contain high amounts of CBD.
CBD Cat Treats
Many CBD treats are made with real meat and fish and come in at 2 milligrams of CBD per treat. Make sure that there aren’t any artificial preservatives, additives, or processed grains in them though.
The Importance of Understanding CBD for Cats
As we can see, CBD can offer many benefits for humans and pets alike. Just make sure that when you’re giving CBD to your cat, you’re choosing from the best CBD for cats. You should choose products that are organic and natural so that your cat stays healthy and safe.
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