CBD for cats

How does CBD work for cats? 

Cats can benefit from CBD. The natural active ingredient can support the animal body in its daily tasks and lead to an improvement in bodily functions. This allows the animal to be more balanced and relaxed. In addition, CBD can bring the cat’s body back into balance if the cat is suffering from medical conditions. The WHO classifies the ingestion of CBD in humans and also in animals as absolutely harmless. 

However, caution should be exercised when giving CBD to your cat unless it has been specially formulated for the animal. This is because cats have an intolerance to terpenes. However, this substance is contained in most CBD products for humans. In the worst case, terpene poisoning in cats can lead to the death of the animal. But do not worry, special CBD products for cats do not contain these substances. You should therefore always look out for special cat CBD products when buying them. 

CBD can be seen as a food supplement for your pet. In order to get the best support from CBD, it is recommended that you consult your vet beforehand. Here you can read how your cat can benefit from CBD. We will tell you what you should pay attention to when buying and administering CBD to cats.

Effects of CBD in cats 

First of all, it is important to mention that CBD can have a positive effect on your cat even if it is not suffering from any disease. This is because CBD can provide health benefits even if there is no prior illness. In addition, CBD can help reduce or even cure various physical or mental illnesses your cat may be suffering from. CBD can help to alleviate various symptoms, thus supporting the health of the cat. Scientific studies have shown that animals can benefit from a supportive intake of CBD. But how does CBD work for your cat? 

How does CBD work in cats? 

In short, just as in humans. This is because cats, like all other mammals, fish and molluscs, have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). The body’s own cannabinoid system is responsible for regulating the body and keeping it functioning soundly. CBD intereacts with the body’s own receptors CB1 and CB2 in the cat’s endocannabinoid system. As in humans, these are located throughout the cat’s body. The receptors in the brain, nervous system, organs, glands, digestive tract, skin and tissues of the cat are stimulated by CBD. 

CBD can unfold its full effect on quadrupeds in the same way as it does on humans. For example, stress situations, inflammation and the musculoskeletal system can be positively affected. This is because the body’s own cannabinoid system, which regulates and keeps the cat’s body in balance, is activated by CBD. Although the animal also produces endogenous cannabinoids, these are often not sufficient to maintain the balance in the cat’s body. CBD derived from the cannabis plant provides support when the cat’s own cannabinoids are not sufficient. 

This can lead to an improvement in bodily functions. CBD could, for example, be effective when the animal is put in a stressful situation and is afraid or in pain. In this case CBD ensures that the animal is more balanced. With the administration of CBD, the cat’s own bodily systems can be supported and improved. CBD can help to bring the body into balance. 

What symptoms can CBD alleviate in cats? 

CBD can have a supportive effect on many different symptoms. However, CBD is not a panacea. Taking it should be part of a balanced animal care regimen. CBD can lead to an improvement of various symptoms and help to regulate bodily functions of the cat. In general, it is possible to differentiate between an animal’s physical and psychological problems. 

CBD can reduce a whole range of physical problems and help to improve them. Cats often suffer from pain, which they can only tell us about to a limited extent. If you know your animal well, you will quickly notice changes in the animal’s usual behaviour. Changes to the cat’s appetite, movement or behaviour patterns can often be signs of illness. CBD could help to protect your pet from pain. Of course, CBD should not be seen as a miracle cure. The natural active ingredient can help with the following problems: 

• support of the immune system 
• reduction of age-related symptoms 
• against arthritis 
• helpful with inflammation and pain 
• against epilepsy 
• prevents skin diseases (itching, hair loss) 
• prevents infections 
• relaxing in the case of seizures 
• helpful with cancer and tumours 
• helps with brain and liver problems 
• helps against indigestion and vomiting 
• productive in the healing of wounds

Since cats can also suffer from psychological problems, the natural active ingredient CBD can also be a remedy of choice here. CBD can help to regulate and ideally overcome various psychological moods of our four-legged friends. Anxiety and depression often affect cats and restrict the behaviour of the animal. Conspicuous behavioural traits such as withdrawal, aggressiveness and hyperactivity can be observed more often in cats. Taking CBD can help to regulate these stressful moments in the animals. CBD can interact with both adenosine and serotine receptors in the brain of cats and activate them positively. Psychological moods of the animal are therefore reduced. 

Use and dosage of CBD in cats 

The choice of CBD products for cats is much smaller than for humans, dogs or horses. While there is already a wide range of treats and tinctures for dogs (CBD for dogs) and horses, the spectrum for cats is still relatively small. Nevertheless, the body of the cat absorbs CBD equally well. Caution is advised, however, if CBD products contain the substance terpene. Cats cannot metabolise this aromatic substance. In the worst case, terpene 

poisoning can lead to the death of the cat. Special CBD products for cats do not contain this substance. Therefore, when buying a CBD product, you should always make sure that it is manufactured specifically for cats. 

As all cat lovers know, it is not always easy to find a common denominator with regard to house cats. But don’t worry, you will soon find out how your cat prefers to take CBD. Read here what you should consider. 

Administering CBD to cats – Where is caution necessary?  

Cats ingest CBD orally. While humans can ingest CBD by inhalation or through the skin, oral ingestion is the most practical way for cats. CBD oil, but also CBD granules or CBD treats are the means of choice. The dosage of CBD for cats is a little different than for humans and should be adjusted to the weight of the cat. As a dietary supplement, CBD oil for cats with a low CBD content of 1% is sufficient.

The number of drops is adjusted to the individual needs of the animal. Sick animals should receive more drops as support than healthy animals. Start with a low dose and increase it gradually. Usually one dose per day is sufficient. For serious illnesses, 2-3 doses per day can be administered. As the oil often has a bitter taste, CBD oil for your cat is simply mixed into the food. 

CBD oil for cats without terpenes please! 

When giving CBD to cats, it is important that you give your pet a CBD product that has been specially produced for cats. Most conventional CBD oils contain terpenes to which cats have an intolerance. The cat’s metabolism can only process them with extreme difficulty. As they excrete the substance very slowly, this can lead to serious poisoning. Terpene poisoning in cats should not be taken lightly.

If you notice motoric disorders, dribbling and disorientation in your cat, terpenes could be the cause. Vomiting, diarrhoea, trembling and rapid weight loss are also symptoms of terpene poisoning. If you suspect such poisoning due to the flavouring agent, you should urgently consult a vet as terpene poisoning can endanger the life of a cat.

The flavouring agent should therefore be strictly avoided, and you must not simply give your own CBD product to a cat. But no need to worry, there are now numerous CBD products on the market that have been specially produced for cats. And these never contain terpenes, so they are suitable for cats.

Does CBD have side effects in cats? 

CBD has no side effects for your cat if the correct dosage of the right product is used. The WHO classifies CBD as completely harmless. CBD is therefore seen as a food supplement for cats and can be administered without any danger.

Nevertheless, care must be taken to ensure that the correct CBD dosage is used. Overdosage may cause side effects. These include nausea, dry mouth, diarrhoea, vomiting or tiredness. However, as soon as the dosage is reduced again, the side effects disappear. CBD products for animals contain no THC (less than 0.2%). Your cat will therefore not have any psychoactive effects. 

Buying CBD products for cats 

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When buying CBD products for cats, make sure that these products are specially made for our four-legged friends. These products only contain ingredients which the cat tolerates. Above all, CBD products for cats do not contain terpenes. 

CBD oils based on hemp oil, fish oil or linseed oil have additional vitamins which have a positive CBD effect on cats. CBD oil is a very useful addition to the daily food. CBD products for cats are available on the Internet or in specialist shops. 

Taking products containing cannabonoids may result in interactions with various medications. If you are already taking medication, the use of CBD and other cannabinoids should be discussed with your doctor beforehand.