As a cat owner, you’re aware of how felines generally act around their owners. They can be fussy eaters, require less attention than their canine counterparts, and sometimes have an I-don’t-care attitude even to their masters. You can safely conclude then that these creatures are very self-sufficient, but that doesn’t mean they’re not worthy of thorough care as well. Quite the contrary, cats need more love and care than any other animals.
In the US, 6 out of 10 Americans own a pet, and 49% own a cat. To add, according to this article, there is a significant and increased quality of life of pet-owner when compared to non-pet owners. 60% seem to believe their lives are positively changed, while just a minority either say otherwise or have no opinion. It just goes to show how meaningful the lives of these creatures are to them.
It’s no surprise, then, that you want only the best for your pet. When it comes to their nutrition, only the most reliable products should be used, and one you should consider is CBD products. For some odd years, oils were the to-go for many pet owners, but as everything moves forward with modern times, treats came to be, making CBD benefits easy to achieve than ever.
What Is CBD, Again?
A critical thing someone does when they buy a consumable product is checking the ingredients and nutritional facts. That includes CBD as well; knowing what it is and where it came from will help your product’s assurance. The first thing to take note of is its proper name. CBD is known as Cannabidiol, a phytocannabinoid that can be found in cannabis.
Whether it be hemp or marijuana, Cannabidiol is present in both of them. The only difference between the two is the cannabidiol count. Hemp is the primary source of many CBD-derived products because of its abundance in CBD. At the same time, marijuana has very little CBD, making it unfit to be the primary source or even a replacement. Instead, it houses a lot of THC.
THC—known as Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol— is a sister phytocannabinoid of Cannabidiol. Unlike CBD, THC can induce psychoactive effects in the user, and your cat’s body cannot take even a small amount of it. CBD companies that produce cannabidiol oil and hemp cat treats make sure their formula is pure. An absence of contaminants is the standard for every product.
If your cat does ingest marijuana substance or THC in the event, the first thing you need to do is determine when they ate it. Within a 30-minute timeframe, the vet can still induce vomiting to get rid of the substance. If 30 minutes have passed, it would be difficult to detoxify the body and already have severe effects, like shivering, fatigue, coma, and even death.
Understanding The Endocannabinoid System
In a mammal’s body, there’s a system that strives to maintain homeostasis. The system is called the Endocannabinoid System. This system contains endocannabinoids and receptors, each with a system they’re in charge of. The important receptors are called the CB1 receptor and the CB2 receptor.
CB1 receptors affect mainly the nervous system and brain activity. This is also the receptor that affects the user when THC stimulates it, inducing a “high” feeling. With Cannabidiol, it helps the body lessen anxiety, depression, and insomnia. It also acts on the brain that reacts to hunger, enhancing the appetite for pets that need to gain an extra pound.
CB2 receptors are in-charge of the peripheral and immune systems. In an event where there is inflammation, wound, or any other situations that include sensations of pain, CB2 receptors make sure those inflammations are suppressed. Topical CBD can even act as an antibacterial if applied on a wound, which also stimulates CB2 in its healing properties.
Top 3 Health Benefits
1. Reduce The Incidence Of Epilepsy
One of the most popular advantages your cat can get from CBD is its antiepileptic and anticonvulsive properties. Just last year, the FDA has legalized a CBD-derived pediatric medicine meant for patients suffering from Lennox-gasteut syndrome. This was the first medicine with Cannabidiol in it that can be prescribed by a medical professional.
Other studies have been done using animals as subjects for their research. Most, if not all, of them ha concluded with CBD being a potential anticonvulsive. They also found a significant drop in the number of epilepsy attacks both in humans and animals alike. If your feline is suffering from this condition, try giving them CBD treats and build up the cannabidiol count in their body.
2. Pain Management Done Right
Now, this is the most popular reason why cat-owners purchase CBD. Products that root from that phytocannabinoid are known to lessen any pain felt in a feline’s body, whether it be a strain, wound, or joint pain. An article by a vet (https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/managing-the-pain-of-feline-degenerative-joint-disease/) has recognized Cannabidiol as a non-pharmaceutical treatment for the conditions mentioned above.
As discussed above, CBD acts as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and analgesic. With the CB2 receptors stimulated, the site in question will have lesser WBC and cytokines floating around, making sure the inflammation is controlled in the name of homeostasis. This effectively lessens any swelling, redness, or pain felt by the feline patient.
3. It Reduces Anxiety And Depression In Felines
Anxiety in felines is also known as feline separation anxiety, occurring when there’s a sudden life event happening around them. They will be vigilant, clingy, and sometimes even anxious when you leave the new house. Some lose appetite, others become hostile to their owners. This is an excruciating thing to experience with your pet cat, especially when they have to be sedated.
With Cannabidiol, you can quickly help them get over their anxiety through a cat treat or two. The Cannabidiol will stimulate the CB1 receptor and block any messages to the amygdala that can potentially give anxiety (and even depression). In a way, Cannabidiol becomes both an anxiolytic and antidepressant to a disturbed cat and can calm them down before an episode happens.
