CBD oil is a cannabis extract that possesses many of the same properties found in marijuana but doesn’t contain psychoactive properties. Regarding best CBD oil for cats and other hemp-derived products, owners of cats need to be especially cautious. That’s because our furry friends are especially sensitive to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), one of the chemical compounds found in hemp plants, including cannabis. THC can cause severe reactions in cats, such as vomiting and lethargy – not just for those who may accidentally consume some by licking up spilled drops of hemp extract, but for those who have ingested it intentionally and unintentionally over time with no reaction.
While cats may be less prone to ingesting cannabis, there are still ways that it can happen. An article in Natural Pet magazine detailed a cat owner who accidentally left a bottle of CBD oil on his coffee table. His curious kitty got into the bottle and started lapping up the oil before he was able to stop her. After a trip to the vet, it turned out his kitty didn’t have any severe reactions as CBD is not toxic for cats or dogs, but his pet had been ingesting enough to cause some side effects, such as wobbly legs, lethargy, and dilated pupils. Turns out that there’s a difference after all when it comes to hemp-derived products for pets compared with humans.
First of all, unlike humans, pets have a more efficient way of metabolizing CBD. Cats are known to have a much higher tolerance to THC than humans. A study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology found that even small doses of THC can cause respiratory problems, loss of balance and coordination, and even seizures in cats.