By Cat owners are starting to look at alternative remedies that Western medicine has not previously addressed as they search for ways to keep their cats happy and healthy. One of these alternative treatments is cannabis oil.
This isn’t shocking considering that more people are using cannabis as a natural remedy for their health issues and that numerous scientific studies have consistently shown the plant to have positive effects on inflammation and other diseases. Cannabis’s impact on humans may be well-researched, but no formal, comprehensive scientific studies of its impact on animals have been done.
So, can cats safely use marijuana? What conditions might it be able to treat?
What Is CBD Oil, Exactly?
Over 100 active compounds are found in cannabis plants, but cannabidiol, or CBD, is the one most frequently used for therapeutic purposes. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary active component of cannabis, has a psychoactive impact, but CBD doesn’t, therefore it won’t make you “high.” CBD oils can be used medically and have high concentrations of CBD.
Dr. Daniel Inman of Burlington Emergency Veterinary Specialists in Williston, Vermont, adds that there aren’t many conventional medical studies that examine the effects of CBD oil on cats. Holistic veterinarians use CBD oil to treat a variety of conditions like inflammation, anxiety, and discomfort, even if we do not recommend it for our patients.
Inman is quick to point out that, rather than being used to treat illnesses, CBD oil is usually used to subjectively improve comfort and quality of life in pets. Only use this type of treatment with your veterinarian’s permission.
Is CBD Oil Safe for Cats?
Dr. Gary Richter, a holistic veterinarian and the owner and medical director of Montclair Veterinary Hospital and Holistic Veterinary Care in Oakland, California, believes that CBD oil is generally safe for cats despite the fact that no scientific studies have been done to specifically investigate the effect of cannabis on pets. Giving your cat CBD oil may have some unintended consequences, though, like moderate drowsiness and gastrointestinal upset, which can be resolved by stopping use of the oil.
Due to a lack of official, documented studies, Dr. Liza Guess, clinical assistant professor at the Ohio State University Department of Veterinary Medicine in Columbus, Ohio, says she is hesitant to recommend cannabis products for cats.
Is CBD oil permitted?
No matter how well-performing CBD products are for cats, the issue of legality needs to be addressed. A cannabis product is referred to as “hemp,” which is legal, if it has less than 0.3 percent THC. Most CBD oils fall under this category, if not all of them. The discussion you have with your veterinarian about this course of treatment is very crucial.
Richter is one of the activists fighting to change these laws.
For instance, a measure addressing the use of medical cannabis for animals and veterinary involvement has been submitted in the California State Legislature, the author said. There is now a contentious discussion on whether veterinarians should be permitted to discuss and recommend cannabis to their patients, and if so, what that would entail.
Richter advises speaking with your doctor before giving your pet any kind of cannabis because it is crucial to be able to discuss all treatment options with them. Without first seeing your veterinarian, he says, “there’s no reason to start giving any kind of prescription or supplement.”
