Shining a Light on CBD Oil as a Potential Treatment for Feline Seizures

Seizures are among the most common health issues affecting the neural pathways in cats. Studies show that it affects around 2% of the cat population. Seizures are severe and can greatly interfere with your cat’s daily routine. If left untreated, it can affect the pet’s quality of life or indicate a serious illness like epilepsy. 

Apart from the regular prescription medicine used for seizures, research reveals that CBD oil is beneficial in treating this condition. Even though studies are ongoing, many pet parents report the effectiveness of CBD oil in managing epileptic conditions. 

This article highlights the significance of CBD oil as a potential treatment plan for cats with seizures. 

What Are Seizures in Cats?

A seizure is a type of health condition that triggers convulsions. It usually occurs when the brain’s regular electrical activities are disrupted, these interruptions cause overpowering muscle activities, known as seizures or convulsions. 

Here are the symptoms of seizures in cats: 

• Twitching and shaking muscles 
• Unconsciousness
• Drooling
• Spasms 
• Uncontrolled bowel movements 

These are signs that your cat is experiencing seizures. Sometimes it may be a one-time occurrence caused by head trauma, severe fever, low blood sugar levels, or metabolic issues.

In contrast, frequent seizures could mean your cat has epilepsy or other underlying illnesses. If you notice your cat having fits, ensure you visit a professional vet to get a proper diagnosis.

How CBD Oil Helps Feline Seizures 

According to research, CBD has numerous health benefits for people and animals, which explains its growing use in the medical cannabis sector. It can potentially treat an array of ailments, including anxiety disorders, inflammatory infections, chronic pain, cancer, insomnia, and seizures.

In 2018, the FDA approved a CBD-infused drug called Epidiolex for treating seizure-related disorders such as epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and Dravet syndrome. The approval was a revolutionary decision that greatly impacted the cannabis industry. Epidiolex was the first CBD drug to hit the market officially as a mainstream medication. 

Since the law allows health experts to use human medications in animals, professional vets can recommend Epidiolex as a treatment plan for feline seizures. Researchers suggest that CBD has potent anticonvulsant properties that help reduce seizure frequency. 

Large-scale clinical studies are ongoing to determine how CBD affects cats, but it’s already evident that its analgesic benefits are similar in humans and animals because of similar ECS mechanisms. 

How CBD Works to Treat Seizures 

Cats, like humans, have an endocannabinoid system (ECS), which has CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. This system regulates body functions such as sleep cycles, memory, moods, appetite, pain, and motor.

Thus, when your cat ingests CBD oil, it interacts with the CB2 receptors in their ECS system. It signals the brain to release an anti-inflammatory reaction, reducing pain and nerve tissue damage.  

As mentioned above, CBD has anticonvulsant properties that obstruct the brain’s pain receptors and release the desired results. When this happens, the feline seizures and spasms reduce in frequency, giving your cat the relief it deserves. 

In addition, CBD oil lessens pain and inflammation while providing soothing effects to your ailing cat. Thus, pet owners can use an effective CBD-based treatment plan to manage feline seizures.

Benefits of CBD Oil for Feline Seizures

As a pet parent, you might still be skeptical about using cannabis products on your cat. Is it safe? Will your cat get high or experience bad side effects? While these are valid questions, CBD oil is the best treatment for your sick cat. Here are the reasons why:

• FDA-approved. Epidiolex is a CBD-based drug approved by the FDA to treat seizures. Thus, CBD oil is a safe product as long as you follow the recommended doses. 
• Non-intoxicating. CBD oil is free from THC content, meaning your cat will not get high or suffer from addiction issues. 
• Legal. CBD-infused products are legal in 50 states. So you can purchase CBD products in licensed dispensaries online or at local stores. 
• No adverse reactions. There is no evidence or reports of toxicity or harmful reactions to CBD in cats. When used in vet-approved doses, it is a natural compound with zero to minimal side effects.

Due to possible drug interactions, you must consult your vet before giving your cat any CBD product. Your vet might recommend stopping the prescribed medication or starting with a small CBD dosage.

Tips to Choose The Right CBD Oil for Feline Seizures 

It would be best to do your due diligence before shopping for CBD products. The cannabis market is massive, with a variety of products and brands. To help simplify the process, we have compiled a few insightful tips to help you make the right choice:

Type of CBD 

CBD extracts come in three types: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. Ensure you understand the type of CBD product you want for your cat to avoid unexpected results.

While isolate contains pure CBD, full-spectrum and broad-spectrum contain a wide range of cannabinoids. In contrast, isolate and broad-spectrum are THC-free, while full-spectrum contains minimal THC traces. Therefore, get your vet’s advice on the best type of CBD oil for your furry friend.  

Reliable Brands 

Not all brands are genuine and offer top-quality products. You should research extensively to determine whether the company is reliable. Purchase from a licensed dispensary or legit vendor selling CBD oil for cats with seizures https://askgrowers.com/cbd/cbd-oil-for-cats-with-seizures is a good source of product-related information to avoid contaminated or poor-quality products. 

Source of Hemp 

Ensure you know the source of the hemp used to extract CBD oil. Pick CBD oil from organically-grown hemp and avoid GMO hemp plants.    

Carrier Oil 

Ensure the CBD oil you want to purchase contains organic carrier oils, such as MCT coconut oil or hemp seed oil. Carrier oils are essential because of enhanced CBD bioavailability in users. 

Product Information

Professional brands usually provide a Certificate of Analysis (COA) to consumers. The certificate has detailed product information from third-party laboratories. It also lists the ingredients and additives used in the oil. 

Dosing Instructions 

The product label must have dosing instructions from the manufacturer. Avoid products without instructions since they might be substandard or from scam companies. Moreover, you can consult your vet further for guidance on the right dosage and administration. 

CBD Concentration

It is also important to know the product’s CBD potency before purchasing. The concentration will assist you in determining the vet-recommended dose to give your cat. 

How to Give CBD Oil to Your Cat? 

Usually, CBD oil is packaged in a glass bottle, complete with a measuring dropper. This helps you give accurate doses to your cat. However, ensure you start small to allow your pet to get used to the effects. 

One of the common administration methods is dropping the oil under the tongue directly. Otherwise, you can use your fingertips to apply the oil to the cat’s gums. Another effective option is to mix the recommended drops with your cat’s food or favorite treats. 

Apart from CBD oil, you can purchase treats, salves, balms, and capsules, among other products you find convenient for your cat. 

Let’s wrap this up

If your furry friend has frequent seizures, try CBD oil as an alternative treatment plan, and you will notice the difference. Your cat will have fewer and less painful convulsions.

Besides treating seizures, CBD will enhance your cat’s general wellness. So, you should go for vendors who provide independent lab results about the product.

Finally, ensure you administer the right dosage to give your cat a lease on life. Even though research on CBD on cat seizures is still ongoing, several studies on humans and animals reveal the potential benefits of CBD in treating epilepsy and other seizure-related conditions in cats. 

Guest Writer

This article is the product of Tia Moskalenko’s research. Tia is a full-time blogger at AskGrowers and an avid fan of cats; she actively researches the CBD market for pets and shares her findings with pet owners to help them address their furry friends’ health issues with natural, safe CBD-infused remedies.