CBD is the new popular name in the medical field that has taken the world by storm. While it has shown a handful of benefits for humans and dogs treating ailments like inflammations and anxiety, there is still to be seen if it has the same effects on cats. As cats are also a common part of many families, it is only fair to find out if CBD can also help out cats.
What is CBD?
CBD or cannabidiol is one of the many compounds found in cannabis. It is found commonly in hemp and is completely different from the common cannabis compound tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. THC has a psychoactive effect that makes people high. CBD on the other hand, has been known to treat health issues like joint pain, inflammation, seizures etc in humans and dogs.

CBD benefits for Cats
CBD affects the endocannabinoid system inside the body, a system which regulates multiple organs. By interacting with the endocannabinoid system, CBD can heal health problems to a certain extent giving relief and comfort. Interestingly, humans and cats have the same endocannabinoid system. This means that CBD should also have the same benefits on cats as experienced by humans. However, cats are unique animals and so, you should always consult with your vet before giving CBD to your cat.
While there is still no scientific evidence on the benefits of CBD on cats, many cat owners have got successful results after giving CBD to their cats. The most common benefits are:
Anxiety:
Cats are mysterious animals who are sometimes hard to understand. Especially when they are stressed out or anxious, it is really difficult to point out what the problem is. Even vets sometimes find it hard to address this type of situation.
In this case, CBD can be a big help. It can help cats to ease their brain and reduce anxiety. It can also help cats to calm down, particularly when there are more than one cat in the house, or there is a dog coexisting in the house.
Even when going for a trip to the groomer, or the vet, or when traveling, giving CBD to your cat can make him less anxious. And as CBD has a very low level of side effects, you as an owner can stay tension free.
Pain and arthritis:
Arthritis and bone inflammation might seem like a common dog problem, but even cats have to face these. If you notice your cats walking slowly, or not jumping as high, your cat might have joint pain, inflammation, or arthritis. These pains can make the life of your cat really hard as these affect their movement directly. And as they age up, the chances of your cat catching arthritis gets higher.
Luckily, CBD has been known as an anti-inflammatory which can reduce the pain and give relief to your bones and muscles. CBD targets the vanilloid receptor in the brain, reducing its sensitivity and restoring the energy and mobility of your cat.
Seizures:
Seizures are abnormal electrical disturbance in the brain. It can be a scary experience for both you and your cat. CBD has been found to be very effective to reduce seizures in humans and many animals. But there is no study to prove that it can help a cat with seizures.
Nonetheless, the National Institute of Health has published research showing CBD to be an effective therapeutic anti-convulsant. Also, as there are almost no side-effects, CBD is safe to use.
How to use CBD for cats?
CBD has become so popular in a short time that its market is still unregulated. So cat owners need to be careful when selecting a CBD product for their cat. As an owner, you need to make sure the packaging of the product enlists all the ingredients. You also need to check out if there is any heavy metal, or pesticides in the product, and if the product has been tested for potency.
Also make sure the product you are about to use is directly extracted from organic hemps and not cannabis. THC can be toxic for the animals and you, as an owner, need to be cautious when using CBD products. The best advice would be to consult with a vet before using any CBD product.
There are almost zero side-effects in using CBD products. Still, in some rare cases, your cat might have some common side-effects like nausea, vomiting, and changes in appetite. These can be controlled by lowering the dosage.
Conclusion
Cats might look moody, and at times, grumpy, but they also have health issues. Their different nature might make it hard for you as an owner to find out what their problem is. CBD, with its zero side-effects, can help you treat any common ailment of your cat. It is proving to be a really magical health solution for both humans and animals.