In the United States, several states have already legalized the use of medical marijuana. You can read more about this kind when you click here. This is because hemp has shown promising results when used as a pain reliever and treating various ailments. But the substance is not only for the human body; there are studies and testimonials that show that it can have positive effects for pet cats too.
There are times when your kitty has anxiety and can’t stop pacing around. It can be challenging for pet parents to see their cats acting like this, and some of them seek immediate help with their vets. Fortunately, some vets today recommend cannabis oil to act as medication to the symptoms that your cat is showing. If you want to know more information about this, then read on.
What is CBD?
CBD or cannabidiol is extracted from the hemp plant. This is also where marijuana is derived from, but the difference is that CBD does not contain the psychoactive substance present in many weed extractions.
The oil is generally extracted using carbon dioxide. The flower of marijuana contains glands that are called trichomes. The trichomes are the source of the essential oils that are converted into CBD. The glands are separated from the hemp, and then, the right ratio of the cannabinoids is formulated to get a good dose that is safe for pets.
Note that the marijuana plant contains more than 70 different cannabinoids. When you separate the psychoactive compound, which is called the tetrahydrocannabinol from the cannabidiol, the result is that that the latter can provide a medical component that is useful for treating several ailments on cats.
Why Your Cat Should Take CBD
CBD oil is useful in treating nausea, anxiety, stress, seizures, back pain, and other issues that cats often experience. The plant extracts act directly in the animal’s endocannabinoid system, which is the central receptors that trigger pain. When the receptors are modulated, relief from any pain is the result. Another advantage that you can benefit from is that there are no side effects such as kidney damage when you use the oil. Your cat won’t also feel any “high” or sedated feeling since cannabidiol does not have THC.
Risks to Consider
Like any other medication, there are certain risks that you should watch out for. You should never overdose your feline friend with CBD. You can start with a small number of doses and gradually increase this over time. When you accidentally gave a large dose, the effects can be long-lasting. You may have a pet that can’t eat or stand properly. If this is the case, do an emergency visit to your veterinarian and tell her the details of what happened.
It is important to note that any life-threatening side effects are “very rare.” Most pets that experience any toxicity may have eaten food that contains enormous amounts of coffee, chocolate, and raisins. Some veterinarians emphasized that you should only give your feline pet the right dose because cannabis had shown fatal effects when ingested in large doses.
How You Can Administer CBD Oil to Your Cat
The most common way of ingesting the oil is through tinctures. You can get more information about natural and organic tinctures in sites such as https://www.holistapet.com/. Topical treatments are also popular, and there are even treats made for your cat to enjoy.
What about the Food and Drug Administration?
Note that there are cannabis-based medications that are now FDA approved. These are common in cases of epilepsy and other illness. There are extra-label meds where there are no restrictions placed. However, it is still essential that vets must follow the principles of AMDUCA. The FDA continues to look for information about marijuana-derived products that are marketed and sold to many pet owners. There is still are reminders though that some of the meds are still not regulated and will need further studies before confirming the actual effects of CBD.
Where Can You Get This?
There are lots of shops and online platforms where you can get legitimate products. When you shop, avoid buying based on price alone. Look for sites that have excellent reviews and will provide you with the best quality products. Sort through thousands of products by choosing a company that has an excellent reputation in this industry.
There are organic ones that are free from heavy metals, pesticides, THC, and fungicides. These are all ingredients that can harm your feline friends big time. While there are retailers that sell treats, you still have to make sure that they are safe. You can choose the liquid forms so that you can adjust the drops little by little. There are concentration levels that you should take note of to prevent overdosing your beloved kitty. Large amounts can be harmful and make sure to keep them in a warm, dry place when at home.
Debbie P
Sunday 14th of June 2020
I am a firm believer!
Mia E.
Sunday 29th of March 2020
My cat has an autoimmune condition that flares up at times and this might be something to consider especially since stress and anxiety can make it worse.
Dana Rodriguez
Tuesday 17th of March 2020
This is pretty interesting. One of our cats is very aggressive, destructive and a bully to the other two. I wonder if this would help.
Sarah L
Tuesday 17th of March 2020
My last cat could have used this. It wasn't around in time for her.