Cat. Feline. Kitty. Puss. While not considered "man's best friend" feline's have been side by side with humanity for centuries, being seen as a sacred animal of worship to being used as a great mousetrap. As domestication became more frequent, cats have become a popular household pet for many people around the world. 

The popularity of the cannabis plant in recent years as an alternative for pharmaceuticals has many cat owners wondering if it works just as well for their furry best friend. Will hemp and cannabis benefit your cat? Let's find out.

Cats have cannabinoid receptors, both CB1 and CB2. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) activates these cannabinoid receptors when it comes in contact with the cannabis plant. 

What does this mean for cats? That felines are naturally receptive to the plant and is not considered toxic to the animal. Of course, you always need to be careful about what you're feeding your pet or when adding supplements to their diet. Start low and go slow!

So Why Give Your Cat Cannabis?

Many argue its versatile benefits in treating stress, anxiety, pain, loss of appetite, seizures and hair loss. Each cat is unique and reacts to hemp oil differently; however, there are many success stories out there that celebrate this excellent oil for helping their kitty.   

STRESS, ANXIETY AND HAIR LOSS

Cannabis is especially well-known for its anti-anxiety effects, but not due to THC. Cannabidiol (CBD) found in hemp oils have long been considered to reduce anxiety amongst humans and animals. Common symptoms of anxiety that cats display are urination, excessive vocalisation and destructive behaviour. These may lead to hair loss caused by the cat being in distress called “Psychogenic alopecia”. However, Hemp oil is a simple solution to treating these symptoms as it acts as a relaxant, many people have had success with treating both their cat’s anxiety and hair loss.

SEIZURES AND LOSS OF APPETITE

So, since hemp oils are considered a relaxant, can it equally be effective in treating seizures among felines? Most studies are carried out on dogs, but the results are found to be universal to most pets. One study showed a strong correlation in a reduction in the number of seizures with the amount of CBD oil received. While the seizures didn't stop, the frequency of them subsided showing a promising future. A cat owner did their own trial and saw similar results as the study above, a perhaps slight decrease in the number of seizures, but overall the main difference was the cat's appetite was restored.  

PAIN

Hemp oils contain analgesic properties, which helps to relieve pain for both humans and pets. Cats can benefit from CBD and hemp oils to treat inflammation and pain associated with certain illnesses and cancers. However, hemp oils are not proven to cure your cat's issues only help minimise your pet's symptoms.

What to look out for

When purchasing any cannabis-based product for a cat, you should always make sure it does not contain any THC (the psychoactive compound which causes a “high feeling”) as it can lead to Marijuana intoxication. Most hemp and CBD oils are THC free and are completely fine for your cat to ingest in appropriate doses. Since cats are much smaller than humans and dogs, you need to take into consideration your cat's weight to estimate the most appropriate dosage. Hemp seed oil is a popular option which many people use initially when introducing their cats to cannabis. The oil contains negligible levels of THC and little CBD, however, is nutrient-rich and contains many of the same benefits as CBD oil.

The endocannabinoid system is in most animals on our planet, including humans. We are all able to enjoy the benefits of the cannabis plant, thanks to it. But always keep in mind when giving your feline hemp oil that it's not part of their daily diet and that all cats react differently to new foods. Start small and eventually work up to the dose recommended for your cat.

Tired of seeing your cat struggle through every day? See the wonders of what our 100% Raw Hemp Seed Oil for Pets can do for your feline here, with a 100% money-back guarantee for your reassurance. Make sure you also sign up to The Cannabis. Co's newsletter for an exclusive update of an exciting new product coming soon which your kitty will love!