There’s a lot of confusion surrounding CBD since it essentially comes from the same plant as THC. This is a concern for most pet owners that don’t know much about the phytocannabinoids. So, if you’re reading this, it’s probably because you’re wondering can cats get high off CBD?
CBD for cats and dogs is nearly identical to CBD for humans. Of course, if you’re new to the CBD world, you’ve got a lot to learn. Keep reading to find out if cats can get high from CBD and other critical information you need to know.
Can Cats Get High From CBD?
The short answer is no, your cat can’t get high from any of their CBD products. Yes, CBD—which is short for cannabidiol—is found within the cannabis plant. However, it’s primarily found within the hemp variety of the cannabis plant. Incidentally, this variety holds very little concentrations of THC.
Why does that matter, you ask?
Well, for one thing, there are hundreds of phytocannabinoids within cannabis plants of all varieties. What separates them, aside from their medicinal qualities, is whether or not they’re psychoactive. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, which is fancy terminology for no—it won’t get you or Mr. Jingles high.
Of course, the term “non-psychoactive” is a bit of a misnomer, as cannabidiol can affect your emotional and mental state. However, the difference is the way that CBD binds with the receptors in our cells. CBD so far is known to activate or bind to the C1 and C2 receptors throughout our brain and body. This goes for animals as well.
The interesting thing about CBD is the fact that it acts as both a reuptake inhibitor and an allosteric modulator. In other words, it can react with the C1 receptors in the brain by changing their shape. By changing the shape of cell receptors, it can affect their ability to bind with certain neurotransmitters and raise the level of endocannabinoids at work.
This is how CBD provides its therapeutic and pharmacokinetic properties for a wide variety of ailments.
THC and Pets Aren't a Good Mix
Can gets get high on marijuana? Yes, they can.
You’ve probably seen plenty of movies with stoner actors getting their dogs and cats high. You’ve probably done it too, or have at least one friend who says “they like it.”
They don’t like it. And if they could talk, they’d tell you that themselves.
THC is widely regarded as toxic to animals. This is because our furry friends have a lot more endocannabinoid receptors in their brains than we do. This makes them much more sensitive to THC.
Because of this sensitivity, your cat can become intoxicated simply from second-hand marijuana smoke filling up the room. More often than not, they’ll eat your unsupervised stash when left out on the table.
Each pet will react differently to THC intoxication. It can result in a loss of coordination, hyperactivity, vomiting, incontinence, pupil dilation, and in severe cases, seizures and tremors. Luckily, THC intoxication is rarely fatal in cats and dogs.
Bottom line: keep your cat away from your stash and crack a window.
But Doesn't CBD Contain THC?
As we mentioned before, CBD comes from the hemp variety of cannabis which has very little THC content. The trace amount that you’ll find in a full-spectrum CBD oil isn’t enough to get you high or even show up on a drug test for that matter. Legally, CBD products can contain up to 0.3% of THC or less.
There are also broad-spectrum and CBD isolate products on the market for those who want to avoid THC altogether for themselves and their pets. You may even be wondering, what’s the point? in terms of including THC in these products. It all has to do with something known as the entourage effect.
The entourage effect refers to to the synergistic effects that take place when all the chemical compounds of a whole plant extract work together. Each plant compound has a unique quality that lends itself to the other compounds present. This is what contributes to the strength of the CBD product in question.
The entourage effect is also what contributes to the shift in mood, emotional, or physical state after ingesting CBD. Essentially, It’s thought that the performance of a full-spectrum CBD product, containing all chemical and botanical compounds, will perform better compared to broad-spectrum and isolate extracts.
Can We Both Use My CBD?
Technically, you and your kitty can use the same CBD oil. However, it’s not recommended. CBD isn’t a heavily regulated product, which means your full-spectrum CBD oil may contain more THC than stated on the label. In states where recreational marijuana is legal, you can get your hands on CBD products containing much higher concentrations of THC,
Additionally, your product may be made with poorly extracted CBD, additives, flavoring agents, and other chemicals that can harm your cat. They can harm you too, by the way.
Your best bet is to stick with pet-safe CBD for your furry friends. Always buy from a reputable company that’s transparent with their extraction process and certificate of analysis (COA). The COA will let you know the exact levels of CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids in your product. It’ll also show levels of any pesticides, metals, or pollutants that made their way into the product.
Don’t buy CBD made outside of the United States, as it could be synthetic. Or, if it’s bad, there’s no way to trace it back to its source. Also, be sure to check the label for any unwanted additives, such as propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, citric acid, natural flavors, and so on.
The Purrfect CBD For Cats
Now that you no longer have to wonder can cats get high off CBD? You should consider adding pet-safe CBD oil to your kitty’s daily regimen. It comes with a host of health and wellness benefits that can help your cat live a long and happy life. It’s also purrfectly safe!
If you have any questions regarding CBD for cats or dogs, we’ve got the answers. Contact us any time, we’ll be more than happy to provide you with some guidance.
