Your Definitive Guide to Aging Cats and CBD Oil
Have you heard of CBD? If yes, you might already know it’s a popular choice for your human friends. But did you know your four-legged friends can benefit as well?
More and more pet owners are turning to CBD oil to help alleviate their furry friend’s pain and discomfort as they age. Aging cats and CBD oil go hand-in-hand. Whether your furry friend is struggling with arthritis, joint pain, or asthma, CBD oil offers many of the same benefits as it does for aging dogs.
CBD works similar to anti-inflammatory medications and pain killers. The main difference is CBD oil is all-natural, and high-quality oils don’t contain fillers or extra ingredients with dangerous side effects.
Is your aging cat having difficulties moving as they age? Then you need to learn more about how CBD oil can help your aging cat.
Common Symptoms of Aging in Cats
As cats age, they can experience greater discomfort, less energy, and more anxiety as their bodies degenerate. As a cat owner, there are several signs your cat may be experiencing a problem with age:
- Changes in appetite
- Difficulty walking
- Refusing to jump or walk downstairs
- Less energy
- Incontinence
- Weight gain or loss
- Walking into objects
If you notice any of these changes with your cat you should take your cat to the veterinarian for a checkup. In some cases, these changes could be a sign of a more serious problem such as arthritis, blindness, cancer, dementia, or kidney or liver disease. A veterinarian will be able to diagnose the problem and help improve your furry friend’s health.
For most cats, a few of these symptoms are common with age. Your veterinarian may recommend NSAIDs or corticosteroids to ease inflammation in the joints and the body.
These drugs may help ease pain in your cat’s joints but they can lead to other problems such as GI tract issues, obesity, and diabetes. Fortunately, CBD oil is an all-natural option with many of the same benefits and fewer side effects.
Cats and CBD Oil Safety
The most important question pet owners ask, or should ask, before giving their pet a new medicine is “is it safe?” Researchers found CBD oil is safe for human and canine consumption in small amounts. But is it safe for cats?
The answer is yes, CBD is safe for cats as long as you purchase a high-quality CBD oil from a reputable company. You will also need to follow dosage instructions based on your cat’s size and the ailment you’re trying to ease.
What Exactly is CBD Oil?
CBD, also known as Cannabidiol, is a chemical found in the hemp plant, a cousin to the marijuana plant. Don’t worry, pet-safe CBD oil will not get your pet high as it isn’t psychoactive. It also doesn’t contain any significant amounts of the psychoactive chemical THC or tetrahydrocannabinol.
To be legal, CBD oil for both humans and pets must contain 0.3% or less of THC. This trace amount is safe for humans, cats, and dogs.
CBD works by interacting with your cat’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) and stimulating the receptors responsible for naturally producing cannabinoids in the body. This system helps with healing and affects how a cat responds to pain, sleep, immunity, and mood.
As the CBD oil interacts with the ECS, it reduces inflammation throughout the body such as the joints and even the GI tract. Some researchers reported that CBD helps lessen the number and intensity of seizures as well as anxiety in your feline friend. However, researchers are still studying cats and CBD oil.
Side Effects of CBD Oil
While few, there are some side effects of CBD oil on cats. The good news is the following side effects of CBD oil are significantly less dangerous than those of traditional prescription pet medications.
Common side effects in cats include lethargy, less energy, changes in appetite, and less anxiety. In most cases, a cat’s appetite will increase while taking CBD oil, a helpful side effect if your cat had lost his or her appetite as they age.
Other less common side effects include nausea and vomiting. If your cat shows signs of excessive tiredness and nausea, lower the dosage amount of CBD oil.
If your cat is allergic to grass, they might be allergic to CBD oil as well. You should always speak with your veterinarian before starting your cat on CBD oil.
Aging Cats and CBD Oil
What we do know about cats and CBD oil is that CBD can help with pain and inflammation in aging cats. Here’s a closer look at how CBD oil can help ease the pain and discomfort most aging cats face.
CBD Oil Uses
Like NSAIDs and corticosteroids, CBD oil has anti-inflammatory properties. The advantage of CBD oil is it has fewer side effects than prescription pet medicines. Here’s how CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties can help your aging cat’s joints.
Arthritis
For some cats, traditional anti-inflammatory medications may not be strong enough or the side effects may be too dangerous for an aging cat. CBD is a safer option that reduces pain and inflammation in the joint of kitties struggling with arthritis.
Asthma
Asthma is a common inflammatory disease that affects the air passages in the lungs. CBD oil can help aging cats have fewer asthma attacks by reducing inflammation.
Cancer
CBD oil is a popular option for both people and their pets when it comes to easing the symptoms of cancer and cancer treatment. CBD oil reduces the pain and nausea caused by cancer and cancer treatments. While it might help manage the pain, there’s very little evidence that CBD may treat cancer.
Seizures
While seizures may be rare for most cats, there are a few cats that experience them. CBD helps reduce the number of and intensity of seizures in people, dogs, and cats. You should, however, consult your veterinarian before giving your cat CBD oil for seizures.
Consider CBD Oil for Your Aging Cat
If you’re curious about the benefits of aging cats and CBD oil, you’ll be happy to learn CBD oil can help. Many cat owners are turning to CBD oil to improve their aging cat’s quality of life.
Do you want to learn more? Let us know if you have any questions or concerns. We’re happy to help you and your furry friend.
