Catnip Oil vs. CBD Oil: 3 Differences You Should Know
Dude…What’s your cat smokin’, man?
As a cat parent, you’ve no doubt heard this from friends and family watching dumbfounded as your cat does a triple lindy off the couch.
You gave your cat catnip oil, and now Fluffy is high as a kite, swiping away at anyone foolish enough to go for the chips and salsa. Funny, but also embarrassing. But there is a better way!
CBD oil is a superior alternative and is more beneficial. And despite its connection with marijuana, CBD oil doesn’t make your cat “high.”
Read on for 3 differences you should know about catnip oil vs. CBD oil and why CBD oil is the obvious choice for calming Fluffy down.
1. The Physiological Effects Are Different
Bottom line: catnip oil gets your cat high, while CBD oil, although derived from cannabis, doesn’t.
Catnip and CBD trigger different parts of your cat’s brain.
Catnip works by binding to receptors in your cat’s nose. Cats inhale nepetalactone – the volatile oil in catnip -, and that stimulates several areas of the brain, including the amygdala, olfactory bulb, and the hypothalamus.
Catnip also regulates emotional responses, which sometimes leads to aggression instead of stoner heaven.
Cannabidiol (CBD), comes from the cannabis plant, which also produces marijuana, but doesn’t contain the psychoactive ingredient THC, which is what gets us humans high.
To be clear, CBD can contain trace amounts of THC, but the amounts are negligible to non-existent, especially in brands explicitly prepared for cats. Giving your cat CBD with too much THC (like brands manufactured for humans) can be toxic.
Like other mammals, cats have an Endocannabinoid System, and the cannabinoid CBD attaches to receptors known as CB1 in the brain (which facilitates the release of endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin) and CB2 in the body (affecting the immune system).
2. The Duration and Benefits of Catnip Oil Are Short-Lived
When you give your cat catnip, it only lasts a short time. Your cat will run amuck for about 10 to 15 minutes and then maybe pass out. Then it’s a few hours before the catnip will have the same effect.
CBD is better because your cat takes it regularly (once or twice a day). It builds up in their system, so the benefits are longer lasting. And furniture saving.
Speaking of benefits…you know the old saying “too much of a good thing…?
Just like the euphoria that catnip gives your cat, the benefits of catnip are also temporary. And while there is some overlap in the health benefits of catnip and CBD, such as the alleviation of stress and anxiety, the effects of catnip are fleeting.
Catnip should only be used in moderation because using it too often can make your cat immune. But once the catnip rave is over, so are the benefits.
The use of catnip is much better suited for training your cat not to scratch the furniture or for playtime.
3. The Benefits of CBD Oil Are Long-Term
If your cat has chronic conditions, CBD oil is a superb alternative to catnip oil. Some of the amazing benefits of CBD oil include:
- relieving stress and anxiety
- treating inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis
- reducing pain
- lowering blood sugar
- lessening aggression
- treating skin conditions
- helping the nervous and immune systems
- decreasing insomnia
CBD oil can also help your cat with more severe conditions such as:
- cancer
- kidney disease
- gastrointestinal issues such as irritable bowel disease
- epilepsy
- respiratory problems such as asthma
And unlike catnip oil, you can give your cat CBD oil on the daily, so the benefits are long-lasting.
Is CBD Oil Safe for Cats?
Yep. But beware: there are lots of variations out there. If you’re using CBD oil for yourself, that’s great, but you should not give the oil you take to your cat. CBD Oil manufactured for humans contains unwanted additives and ingredients.
Be sure to check the lab testing results. You should know CBD is not (yet) regulated by the FDA. You need to make sure the oil tests no higher than 0.3% for THC.
Some other things to take into consideration are the sourcing of the CBD and the company’s extraction process.
Your best bet is choosing a full-spectrum CBD oil. In addition to Cannabidiol (CBD), there are other elements of the cannabis plant, such as Phytocannabinoids, Terpenoids, and Flavonoids.
Full-spectrum CBD oil contains all of these things creating the “entourage effect,” which means they complement each other and work together for the best overall effectiveness of the CBD oil.
How Much CBD Oil Should You Give Your Cat?
Some general considerations are the age, weight, and ailment of your cat.
Because there are no FDA standard dosage instructions and there hasn’t been a lot of research on the subject, it can be tricky. But don’t worry, we have an excellent vet-approved dosage calculator.
How to Give Your Cat CBD Oil
So CBD oil sounds great and all, but how does your cat actually take it?
One of the best ways is the liquid form of CBD called tinctures. These come in a bottle with a dropper. You can try to put it in your cat’s food or water, but if they find that objectionable, you can use the dropper to administer directly into your cat’s mouth.
Another option is chewable capsules. However, just as with the tinctures, your cat may look at you in contempt if you try this method.
For skin conditions, you can use topical CBD that is applied directly to your cat’s skin. Don’t use it on open wounds, though. You may get a (justified) paw swipe.
Another option is to give your cat flavored CBD treats that may be more acceptable to your cat’s refined palate.
There Is a Pawsome Alternative to Catnip Oil
There are significant differences between catnip and CBD, but there is no doubt that the effects and benefits of CBD oil are far superior to catnip oil.
And the best CBD oil for your cat is full-spectrum CBD oil to ensure your cat is getting all the benefits of the “entourage effect” without partying like the dudes on “Entourage.” Check out our pawsome high-quality full-spectrum CBD oil products.
So ditch the catnip oil, so Fluffy can come down off the ceiling and switch to CBD oil. Your cat will feel great and will Netflix and chill on the couch with you instead of tearing it to shreds.
