Cat CBD - How To Give Your Cat CBD Oil

Did you know that 8% of cat owners give their furry friends cannabis supplements and treats? With the rising popularity of CBD, more cat owners will likely jump on the bandwagon.

But all cat owners can agree on one thing: cats are finicky. While dogs will gobble up any treat or supplement, cats are hesitant about what they eat. This is why many cat owners may struggle with giving their cat CBD.

Not only that, but dosing CBD can be difficult. CBD comes with few side effects, but giving your kitty too much CBD is never a good idea.

Here, we go over how to dose and administer CBD for cats.

1. How Does CBD Oil Work for Cats?

Before we discuss CBD oil for pets, let’s go over how CBD works for cats.

All mammals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a neurotransmitter network comprised of endocannabinoids. The cannabinoid receptors in CBD communicate with our natural endocannabinoids, causing the different effects that cannabis brings to our body.

It’s important to note that CBD is non-intoxicating, so your cat won’t get high. That’s because CBD interacts with different endocannabinoids than intoxicating cannabinoids such as THC.

CBD commonly interacts with CB2 receptors, which are found in our immune system and our internal organs. While science is still unsure about CBD’s effects on our body, we do think this reaction plays a big role in CBD’s wellness.

While CBD oil for cats isn’t a miracle cure for any ailment, it can make your kitty feel happier and more comfortable. Here are some benefits your cat will experience:

• Calms down aggressive and stressful behaviors
• Balances mood
• Prevents nervous habits (hiding, overgrooming, etc.)
• Reduces hairballs and nausea
• Decreases pain
• Decreases inflammation

Before you give your cat CBD, always seek approval from your vet — especially if your cat has a serious ailment.

2. How to Find the Best CBD Oil

Now that you decided CBD is a great cat treatment, you’ll want to do some research to find the best CBD oil. Here are some factors to look for:

• Specifically made for cats (important to ensure there’s no THC or additives)
• Extracted with CO2 (ensures no toxic solvents were used to draw the CBD out of the hemp plant)
• Third-party lab tested (will identify any mold, bacteria, and heavy metals as well as identifying the exact CBD percentages in the product)

You’ll also want to look for other labels, such as non-toxic, hand-harvested or single-sourced hemp, and veterinarian-formulated.

3. Choosing the Best Dosage

Cats tend to be more sensitive to CBD, especially compared to dogs. That’s why choosing the best dosage is integral.

First, you should always follow the instructions on the packaging. Every CBD product is different and the manufacturers know what dosage works for cats.

If your CBD oil doesn’t have dosing information or you want to give your cat less than the recommended dosage, you’ll want to judge your cat’s dosage by the CBD amount (measured in MG) and your cat’s weight.

We separate our dosage into three tiers:

• Tier 1 (starting dose): 0.67 mg (2 drops) per 10 pounds of weight
• Tier 2: 1.67 mg (5 drops) per 10 pounds of weight
• Tier 3: 3.33 mg (10 drops) of 10 pounds of weight

No matter which dosage you describe, give your cat no more than two dosages per day.

You’ll also want to take your cat’s condition into consideration. If your cat only shows minor symptoms, this is an ideal dosage. But if your cat has more severe symptoms or if you notice no change after this dose, increase their dosage by a drop.

Your cat also shouldn’t be lethargic, just calm. If your cat is constantly sleeping after giving them CBD, you may need to decrease their dose.

4. How to Give Your Cat CBD Oil

Now that you found the best dose, how do you give a cat CBD? Don’t worry, there are several ways to sneak CBD into their diet.

4.1 Add It to Their Food

The most popular way to give your cat CBD is to add it to their food. You can easily mix the oil into their wet food or put it on top of their dry food. You can also add CBD to their water bowl (keep in mind, the oil will float on top of the water, so this method is not advisable).

Ideally, CBD oil should have very little taste. Your cat may not notice the CBD and will eat their food as normal. But there are times when your cat will notice the CBD and won’t be interested in the food. That’s when you should have a backup plan in mind.

4.2 Put the Oil on Their Paw

While this sounds odd, it works. Cats hate it when anything is on their paws and they will lick off the CBD oil.

What if your cat doesn’t let you touch their paws? What if you go for their paw and they run away and hide? Many cats don’t like their paws touched, so this is a common issue. Don’t worry, this isn’t your only option.

4.3 Let Them Lick the Dropper

Cats are naturally curious animals. They like to sniff everything! Present the dropper to them. They will likely sniff it — and don’t be surprised if they start licking!

If this is the case, drop the oil out slowly as they’re licking. Always clean the dropper before placing it back in the bottle.

5. Are You Looking for Cat CBD?

Cats commonly deal with problems such as anxiety. If this is occurring with your cat, ask your vet if you should give your cat CBD. If you receive the okay, you’ll need to find the highest quality CBD products for cats.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to look much farther. Shop our CBD for pets!