Before using CBD oil as a means of treatment for your cat, it’s important to understanding the potential side effects. Read on for more information. Learn about the side effects of CBD oil for cats – health impact, doses and more. See what other owners say and shop CBD oil for cats. CBD (hemp oil) treats are becoming more popular to give pets, and some of the same dangers exist as with THC. Find out the symptoms and treatment plans.
6 Potential Side Effects of CBD Oils for Cats: What You Should Know!
Cat owners are turning to holistic approaches and natural supplements like CBD oils to treat their felines more than Western medicine. And, as these alternative treatments keep proving their effectiveness, it isn’t much of a surprise that more and more pet owners are getting invested in the oils.
Although substantial research studies on these natural oils are still ongoing, the findings and the health benefits of CBD oils on humans look incredibly promising.
But then, there haven’t been official significant scientific findings on the oil’s impacts on pets even though research on humans has proven effective. So, is CBD oil safe for cats?
What is CBD Oil?
The cannabis plant contains over a hundred active compounds that humans have been using to treat various ailments for a long time. Cannabidiol, or simply CBD, is one of the main compounds extracted from the plant to be used for medicinal purposes.
After extraction, feline owners blend the CBD compound in oils like coconut, olive, avocado, hempseed, and palm oil. These oils act as carriers, just like essential oils, where owners give them to cats orally.
The primary purpose for the extraction of this compound from the cannabis plant is to create a high concentration of CBD, a substance with medicinal and therapeutic properties. Unlike the major active compound in cannabis – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not have a euphoric or psychoactive effect that may leave its users “high.”
Since CBD is not mind-altering, cat enthusiasts have been using it to improve the quality of life and contain feline issues like:
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How Do CBD Oils Work in Cats?
Animals such as cats and dogs have an endocannabinoid system that helps keep their bodies healthy. This system works as the body’s control system to facilitate healing.
Since it is innate, kitties produce endocannabinoid substances known as endogenous cannabinoids. After release, these substances travel the bloodstream and help the cat’s body system maintain an internal balance known as homeostasis. This balance dictates to the body how it should respond to external events.
Therefore, when the CBD enters the body, it interacts with the endocannabinoid system to prevent the endocannabinoids from breaking down, pushing it to react accordingly. For this reason, people use CBD oils as a gentle supplement for their felines.
However, as much as some cat parents attest to major success in managing feline’s various health concerns using these oils, you should understand that cats and humans don’t process supplements the same way. For this reason, it would be best to contact your veterinarian before initiating it to your kitty.
Potential Side Effects of CBD Oils for Cats
Although no research has confirmed the substance’s safety and effectiveness in cats, some doctors claim that CBD oils are generally safe for cats. However, cat owners need to stay alert and consider potential side effects after administering CBD oil to their cats.
It would be best to visit the vet or ensure that you adhere to the correct dosage to combat some of these effects. Check out some of the adverse effects of CBD oils on your kitty.
1. Drowsiness
Although cat parents use CBD oils to treat stress and anxiety in cats, the calming effect afterward can turn to drowsiness, especially if in high doses.
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2. Diarrhea
Gastrointestinal upset is the worst and grossest adverse reaction of CBD oils for cats, especially if it manifests as diarrhea. However, cat owners can find it hard to know whether the bowel issue’s real cause is the oil or the feline’s eating habits.
The best way to discern is to remove the questionable foods one by one, including the CBD oil, to see if the situation eases.
3. Vomiting
Another most common side effect of initiating the CBD oil to your kitty is vomiting. The reason is, CBD oil is bitter, a taste that may prompt your pet to reject and vomit it.
Although some CBD products are flavored and may taste better, it can take you a lot of effort and time to find the most ideal for your kitty. It is vital to make out if the vomiting is due to the oil and take appropriate actions like consulting with your vet since excessive vomiting can dehydrate your pet and worsen it.
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4. May Interact and Inhibit other Pet Meds
CBD substance is an inhibitor of enzymes like cytochrome P450 that metabolize drugs in the liver. The interaction has the potential effect of affecting the metabolism of any drug that your pet might be using. For this reason, cat owners need to check with their vets for recommendations and advice on which drugs to use and the ones to stop when initiating CBD oils.
5. Lowers Blood Pressure
You can expose your kitty to a drop in blood pressure if you administer the CBD oils in high doses. Your cat may start experiencing a brief feeling of light-headedness, and it may feel sluggish and sleepy.
It would be best to check with your vet immediately and mention that you were treating it using CBD oil.
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6. Dry Mouth
While you may hate your kitty’s saliva, saliva in a cat’s mouth signals good health. It helps maintain a feline’s dental hygiene and digestion. However, according to scientific research, CBD oils can decrease saliva production in cats, causing their mouth to dry.
Mouth dryness can affect a kitty’s teeth, gums, cause bad breath and difficulty in swallowing. For this reason, your kitty gets thirsty faster and drinks more water than usual to make up for the lack of fluids in the mouth.
If you notice this effect in your pet, it would be best to reduce the CBD dose and seek help from a physician it does not get better.
Summary
Cat parents share an incredible bond with their pets and will always find ways to ensure their cat’s health and well-being. And while the efficacy of this holistic treatment is still inconclusive, there’s no doubt that this versatile oil might be the key to your feline’s well-being and happiness.
Although it may be tempting to share a dog’s or human’s CBD oil with your cat, only give your cat something tailor-made for it. The reason is, ingredients that may benefit humans may be harmful to your feline friend.
As always, cat owners should check with their vets first before introducing these supplements to their pets.
Are There Any Side Effects Of CBD Oil For Cats?
As CBD oil continues to prove its effectiveness, more and more people are choosing it for their pets. It’s used to reduce anxiety in cats, relieve joint pain for aging feline friends, and research shows it’s also an effective means of stopping seizures. With first-hand testimonies and anecdotal evidence, there are still holes in what we know about this all-natural substance. We need more research to give us specific answers to our questions.
Related: Need a more in-depth guide to CBD for cats?
CBD Oil Cat Side Effects Explained
One of the biggest questions on the minds of cat owners has to do with safety. Are there any side effects of CBD oil for cats? Are there risks? It’s important to note that there is always a measure of risk when introducing your pet to something new, but we’re here to help clear up the confusion.
The Basics of CBD Oil
CBD oil is a cannabinoid (one of many) that’s found in the cannabis plant. It’s extracted from the plant to create a tincture, and that substance is currently proving to have incredible health benefits. CBD oil owes its effectiveness to its relationship with the endocannabinoid system. Found in mammals, the endocannabinoid system is a network or receptors that acts like the body’s control center for health and healing. The different receptors communicate with bodily systems to maintain balance. When CBD oil enters the body, it interacts with the cannabinoid receptors to initiate a response. The specifics of the response will vary depending on what’s happening in the body.
Because CBD is a component of cannabis, it can be extracted from both marijuana and hemp. CBD oil by itself is nonpsychoactive (meaning it can’t make you or your pet high), but when it comes from marijuana, there’s risk of it also having trace amounts of another cannabinoid called THC. This cannabinoid is the part of marijuana that’s responsible for the plant’s psychoactive properties. Hemp, on the other hand, has negligible levels of THC, and so CBD oil from hemp has no risk of mind altering side effects.
Side Effects of CBD Oil for Cats
It’s always important to consider potential side effects before administering anything new to your pet. For CBD oil, most pet owners have reported no serious side effects. Boulder Holistic Vet says the most common side effect of giving a cat CBD oil is overly sedate behavior. They advise that if a cat seems to be too calm or sleepy, it’s best to speak with a veterinarian to adjust the dose.
Another possible CBD oil side effect for cats is gastrointestinal upset. This typically only happens if the tincture is abruptly introduced to a cat’s diet. When first introducing CBD oil to your cat, it’s recommended to administer the lowest suggested dose. Continue at this amount for one week while closely monitoring your cat. If she shows signs of nausea or gastrointestinal upset, stop and wait for the CBD oil to exit her system. Consult a holistic vet about lowering the dosage.
Benefits of CBD Oil for Cats
Like humans and dogs, cats can experience several positive health effects of CBD oil. Every cat is different, and the results you see in your furry friend will vary. Here’s a list of health concerns CBD oil is known to help with:
- Anxiety
- Pain
- Chronic GI issues
- Chronic upper respiratory infections
- Seizures
Choosing CBD Oil for Your Cat: Avoid CBD Side Effects for Your Cat
While you’re considering CBD oil for your cat, it’s important to find a product you trust. Not all companies are truthful in their claims, and you need a product that is organic and free of toxins. Cannanine™ Organic Hemp Oil is made from organically grown Colorado hemp. It’s tested for heavy metals, bacteria, mold, and yeast, and unlike other CBD oils manufactured for pets, Cannanine™ contains absolutely no trace of THC. It’s ideal for cats ready to start living better lives.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional.
FAQs about CBD Use in Pets
A: Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a cannabinoid produced by the plant Cannabis sativa, commonly known as marijuana. After many anecdotal reports of CBD’s potential health benefits, studies are now underway to look at the potential benefits of CBD for controlling pain from conditions such as osteoarthritis, calming anxious pets, and as a possible treatment for epilepsy in dogs. CBD is being used by many pet owners today, so it’s essential to know enough about it to discuss the potential risks of use.
Q: Is CBD psychoactive?
A: No; however, there are several possible reasons a dog who has ingested CBD may look high:
- The product that the pet ingested contains both THC and CBD. There are many products on the market, some even labeled for use in pets, that contain both CBD and THC at varying concentrations, so check the labels or look up the product online to see what’s in it.
- The pet ingested enough of a CBD product to cause THC toxicity. Hemp can legally contain up to 0.3% THC, so if a pet ingests a large amount of a hemp-based CBD product, mild THC toxicity can occur.
- The product has not undergone quality assurance testing and contains THC.
- The dog also found some marijuana or THC edibles. Ask about any other cannabis products in the home.
Q: What are the most common signs reported in pets after the ingestion of CBD products?
A: Vomiting, lethargy, inappetence, and diarrhea are the most common clinical signs reported. Ataxia can occasionally occur with large ingestions.
Q: How do I treat these cases?
A: Most cases need no treatment, aside from symptomatic care for gastrointestinal upset if it occurs. If it’s a large dose, where the THC content might be a factor, mild sedation, urinary incontinence, hyperesthesia, and ataxia could develop, and the pet should be confined to prevent injury from misadventure. If you see significant signs that look like THC toxicity, treat the pet in front of you and provide IV fluid support, anti-nausea medication, and good nursing care as needed.
Q: Is there anything special I need to know about pet hemp treat overdoses?
A: Products sold as “soft chews” can have an osmotic effect when large amounts of chews are ingested and pull fluid from the body into the gastrointestinal tract. In mild cases, this can lead to diarrhea and dehydration. In severe cases, hypernatremia, hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia, azotemia, and acidosis can occur. Aggressive fluid therapy, while monitoring hydration status and electrolytes in these pets, is critical.
Q: What about interactions with other medications? Any long-term effects to be concerned about?
A: CBD is an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 and has the potential to affect the metabolism of other drugs. While this appears to be of minimal clinical significance in most cases, this may be important when CBD is used in a pet for seizure control. Doses of other anticonvulsants may need to be adjusted. Remember that owners may discontinue anticonvulsants on their own if they feel that CBD is controlling their pet’s seizures, so this is an important discussion to have.
CBD has also been shown to cause dose-dependent elevations in liver enzymes in various safety studies. This has not been noted in acute overdose situations but could be a concern in pets taking CBD long-term. Monitoring liver enzymes and total bilirubin in these pets is recommended.