Cat sitting in the woods looking up at the skyYour cat is a pleasure at almost all times, but are they happy and pain-free at all times? Or, do you know what ails them, such as joint pain, and haven’t found the proper remedy? If you’re serious about relieving your cat’s joint pain, then CBD should be a top priority. 

CBD has exploded over the last few years, and it doesn’t look like it is slowing down either. According to Statista, CBD sales will reach more than 1.8 billion dollars in 2022 alone. And many of those sales go towards the pet industry. 

Why is CBD Good For My Cat? 

Because CBD activates a vital function both you and your cat share - the ECS system (more on that later), to help you learn how CBD helps your cat’s joint pain, we’re going to explore the science behind CBD’s ability to treat pain and its other benefits and delve into your cat’s biology.

What Is Cat Arthritis?

As our cat ages, their cartilage wears down. This is known as osteoarthritis, and unfortunately, there’s no cure. Osteoarthritis, or OA, can be very painful and limit your cat’s mobility. Cats like us will have to deal with OA if we live to a ripe age.

You can do many things to minimize their pain, such as weight reduction and supplements like CBD, Vitamin E, Fish Oil, and Glucosamine. If your cat is relatively healthy but getting older, it’s handy to have at least one of these supplements to help ease their pain.

Cat laying on its belly looking into the cameraSymptoms: Cat Arthritis

  • Hobbling or limping
  • Lethargic (resulting from pain)
  • Muscle mass reduction
  • Weight gain
  • Struggling to get up and lie down
  • Irritable 
  • Affected by cold weather

Why Use CBD for Cat Joint Pain?

You and your cat share an ECS, or Endocannabinoid system. All mammals, in fact, have an ECS, a complex physiological system that regulates everything from organ function to emotional well-being. When activated by cannabinoids, like CBD, CB receptors, known as CB1 and CB2, send signals to your brain to “interact” with the ECS - thus providing a myriad of potential benefits.

CBD (cannabidiol) is one of over 100 cannabinoids found in cannabis. When discussing cannabis, it’s important to point out there are two varieties, marijuana and hemp. Both types have the same “ingredients,” but hemp is much lower in the psychedelic compound THC - making it an excellent cat supplement.

Because of its low THC content, congress enacted the Farm Bill Act in 2018, paving the way for hemp legalization - as long as it’s under 0.3% THC and making it legal for pet use. Although research is limited on cats, there are many studies on CBD’s potential in treating joint pain.

Eden's Herbals CBD Oil tincture for catsIn fact, congress recently passed another bill addressing CBD and cannabis, giving researchers a vast amount of money to study its effects. So far, researchers have found the following benefits for CBD and joint pain:

  • Arthritis Relief: A 2016 European Journal of Pain published that CBD reduced inflammation and pain in osteoarthritis rat models.
  • Improves Bone Healing: A 2020 study, published in Cureus, confirmed the CBD’s ability to reduce pain in arthritic subjects, as well as improve fracture healing.
  • Reduce Neuropathic Pain: A 2012 study showed that CBD might suppress neuropathic pain by adhering to a3 glycine receptors - which regulate the nervous system.
  • Analgesic Properties: Archives of Oral Biology published a study in 2019 that showed CBD and other cannabinoids had an analgesic effect on rat models with myofascial pain.

CBD vs. NSAIDs for Cat Joint Pain

Unlike NSAIDs (Non-steroid Anti-inflammatory Drugs), CBD is all-natural. According to Harvard Health, NSAID use can lead to the following problems:

NSAID Issues:

  • Upset stomach
  • Heartburn
  • Stomach Ulcers
  • Bruising
  • Bleeding
  • Kidney issues
  • Potential liver damage

Beautiful cookie colored cat looking into the cameraCBD Benefits:

  • Works naturally with your cat’s ECS system
  • Found naturally in mother nature - in hemp
  • Safe and well tolerated
  • Won’t make your cat high
  • Your cat won’t overdose
  • It May help relieve pain and anxiety
  • Helps relieve cancer-related symptoms

Is CBD Oil Safe for My Cat?

The first CBD study on cats, published in 2021 in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, looked at how well cats handled both THC and CBD. Placebo and double-blind methods were used on 20 healthy adult cats and studied for their safety profile.

In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that CBD is safe and well tolerated in healthy adult humans. Based on these studies, CBD is very safe for your cat - provided you follow dosage guidelines.

CBD Oil Dosage for Cat Joint Pain

Dosage first depends on a few factors, including:

  1. 1/2 mL, as marked on the dropper, per 10 pounds of bodyweight.
  2. Start by giving your cat just a few daily drops before moving to the total dose.
  3. The full dose should be given only once daily, but CBD is generally safe at higher doses.
  4. As always, closely monitor your cat to see how they are affected by CBD.

Side Effects CBD Oil for Cats

Two cats one is putting his paw on the others head as if he was petting himAs mentioned, CBD is generally safe and well tolerated in most cats. Some reported side effects, however, may include the following:

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Tiredness

If your CBD starts affecting your cat negatively, consider switching things up. A lower dose is perfect for their ECS system. Add CBD to their evening meal if it makes them sluggish. That way, they’ll be well rested and pain-free.

Key Considerations: CBD Oil for Cat Joint Pain

One final note. When choosing CBD, consider something explicitly meant for felines. High quality CBD oil is made with several ingredients besides cannabidiol - some of which might not be cat-friendly. For example, your cat may benefit from coconut oil - a powerful antioxidant not always used by reputable manufacturers.

In addition, you’ll want your cat to consume only pesticide-free CBD. We source all our hemp from organic farms in the U.S. Eden’s Herbals proprietary CBD Cat Oil is specifically made for cats, contains keto-friendly MCT coconut oil, and is non-GMO.

After regular CBD use, you should start noticing your cat feeling better and experiencing less pain. Besides joint health, they’ll also experience other benefits, like anxiety relief and better sleep.

If you want to learn more about CBD for cats joint pain, contact Eden’s Herbals at [email protected] today!

*These statements have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any illness. Medical advice should be taken from a medical professional.

All of the articles on this site are written by 3rd party content providers, expert bloggers or doctors not directly affiliated with Eden’s Herbals.

Individuals should learn the risks and side effects prior to taking CBD. Make sure to always check with a medical professional before starting any new CBD treatment or medication that is not FDA approved.