As we become increasingly educated on the medicinal and therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD), medical researchers actively test its ability to treat symptoms of a variety of disorders in humans. Thus far, CBD has shown promising success rates in ameliorating mild to severe symptoms of both physical and physiological conditions. In 2013, the so-called “wonder cannabinoid” made national news by stopping the seizures of a six-year-old child with Dravet Syndrome.
Today CBD is considered safe and effective for use in pets as well. As our furry companions get older, they are every bit as prone to degenerative disease as we are. Emerging scientific research has shown that CBD can be a viable form of supplementation to improve their overall quality of life.
Is CBD legal for pets?
CBD is just about the most well-known primary cannabinoid today, second only to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive and has no known addictive properties or abuse potential. As such, hemp-sourced CBD is not classified as a controlled substance and is fully legal in all 50 states.
This is why CBD is readily purchasable outside of dispensaries; in grocery stores and mall kiosks — available as a supplement in bottles, tubes, or even infused in cosmetic products and pet treats.
With so many choices currently in circulation, picking the right products for your pet can feel tedious and overwhelming. In this post, we examine the best CBD for cats in the market today, as well as how CBD can help our feline friends as they get on in years.
How Do Cats Benefit from CBD?
There are a number of conditions in cats that can be significantly improved with CBD supplementation. Here are four of the most notable, in no particular order:
Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease is extremely common in older cats. Osteoarthritis is typically manifested as joint pains that cause difficulty jumping or landing, progressing on to labored running or limping, and finally the inability to move briskly. As a potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic, CBD not only keeps swelling and joint inflammation in check; it also relieves the chronic and shooting pains that characterize osteoarthritis in cats.
Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are typical side effects that come with a wide variety of pet medications. Cats getting on in years are prone to urinary incontinence, loss of sphincter control, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), all of which can be treated with medication. Current conventional forms of medication frequently produce side effects, which have been shown to be mitigated by CBD’s antiemetic and anti-spasmodic benefits.
Anxiety and/or depression are very common in cats, and may frequently occur in the form of intense separation anxiety depending on your particular feline’s personality type. If your pet is notorious for tearing into the couch or generally turning the house upside down whenever you’re at work or out doing errands, consider making use of CBD’s well-documented anxiolytic properties to help him or her maintain homeostasis.
Tumor growth and spread is actually the most actively studied aspect of CBD’s potential benefits in animals. Various studies have shown that CBD produces anti-tumoral effects in rats by stopping or slowing the growth, development, and spread of malignant tumors while simultaneously promoting apoptotic cancer cell death.
2020’s Best CBD Oils for Cats: Our Top 3 Picks
Without any further ado, let’s go over our roundup of the best CBD oils for cats in the market right now, proceeding by category:
- The Pet Hemp Company CBD Oil is your best bet for value today, with a full spectrum formulation coming in at 5mg/ml at just five cents per milligram. Despite their highly accessible price point, The Pet Hemp Company’s products are all certified GMO-free, organic, and vegan. They are also sourced entirely from American grown hemp and guarantee no use of preservatives.
- HolistaPet CBD Oil for Dogs & Cats is our pick for the best overall CBD for cats in the market. HolistaPet uses CO2 extraction in the creation of all its CBD products, making for some of the most potent pet formulations available. This CBD oil features a potency of 10mg/ml at a very competitive 17 cents per milligram — with the company throwing in free shipping within the continental United States.
- CBDistillery Pet Tincture is likely the most balanced formulation you’ll find in circulation, and from the most well-known CBD brand in North America. Each bottle contains 150mg of CBD with a potency rate of 5mg/ml, coming in at a reasonable seven cents per milligram. CBDistillery stands out as a quality brand with the ability to sell at below-market prices because of its superior logistical capabilities as a well-connected company.
Supplementation vs. Treatment
It’s worth noting that although CBD is perfectly viable as a health supplement for improving your pet’s quality of life, clinical studies showing its viability for treating diseases in pets are still underway. This means that CBD shouldn’t be mistaken as a cure or form of medication, but rather as a complementary addition to regular appointments with a qualified veterinarian.
