Compare the Best CBD Oil for Cats With Kidney Failure in 2022

How CBD May Help Cats With Kidney Failure

There are two types of kidney failure in cats: acute kidney failure and chronic kidney failure.

Acute kidney failure happens fast due to an infection or toxin ingestion. Meanwhile, chronic kidney failure is a slow process prevalent in older cats⁽¹⁾.

Symptoms of kidney failure in cats may include vomiting, lethargy, and reduced appetite which may lead to weight loss⁽²⁾. 

Treatment for this disease involves slowing its progression and managing its symptoms to improve the pet’s quality of life⁽³⁾. 

Cats with kidney failure may be administered anti-nausea medications, antibiotics, or given a proper nutritional diet⁽⁴⁾.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. 

CBD may contain certain health benefits that may help manage chronic kidney disease symptoms like inflammation⁽⁵⁾, pain⁽⁶⁾, and vomiting⁽⁷⁾ when it interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS).   

The ECS is a system that regulates normal body functions in mammals, including humans and animals, like cats⁽⁸⁾. 

The ECS also consists of cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2⁽⁹⁾. 

CB1 receptors play an integral role in pain sensation and appetite, whereas CB2 receptors activate an anti-inflammatory response that lessens pain and reduces tissue damage⁽¹⁰⁾.  

In addition, CBD may also interact with serotonin receptors or 5-HT1A receptors⁽¹¹⁾.

Serotonin is the hormone that moderates nausea and vomiting⁽¹²⁾.

Due to the ECS working similarly in all mammals, it may be possible that felines may benefit from the effects of CBD like humans do.  

Benefits of Using CBD for Cats With Kidney Failure

Kidney failure in cats may exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, and appetite loss⁽¹³⁾.

An animal study in the British Journal of Pharmacology indicated that CBD may have anti-nausea and antiemetic (anti-vomiting) effects in rats⁽¹⁴⁾.

Another study noted the antiemetic and anti-nausea effects of CBD and other cannabinoids like cannabigerol (CBG)⁽¹⁵⁾. Researchers suggested that these non-psychoactive compounds may help suppress nausea and vomiting in shrews. 

Meanwhile, a study about CBD extracts given to treatment-resistant epilepsy patients suggested that CBD may help improve appetite and stimulate body weight gain⁽¹⁶⁾. 

CBD’s purported benefits may be promising. However, these studies are not specific to cats. Further research on the benefits of CBD oil on feline kidney failure is needed. 

How Can CBD Oil Be Given to Cats With Kidney Disease?

There are many CBD products available in the market for pet owners. Below are some of the techniques to administer CBD oil to your cat with kidney disease. 

This CBD product comes with a dropper that allows you to deliver a more accurate dose to your cat. 

You may administer CBD oil under your pet’s tongue so that CBD may be absorbed quickly through the mucous membranes⁽¹⁷⁾. 

If your cat does not like CBD’s flavor, you may also add CBD oil to their cat food. 

For cats that are picky eaters, CBD cat treats are one of the simplest ways to administer the compound due to their appealing taste to cats. 

Cats that suffer from kidney failure may experience chronic pain⁽¹⁸⁾. 

You may give your pet CBD oil by applying it directly to their skin for localized pain relief. Besides CBD oils, CBD topicals may also come in lotions and creams. 

CBD Dosage for Cats With Kidney Disease

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not recognize CBD for veterinary use⁽¹⁹⁾. Thus, there is no set CBD dosage for kidney failure or kidney disorders.

A 2019 study examined healthy cats dosed with 2mg of CBD-infused fish oil. The results showed that CBD is generally safe for healthy felines⁽²⁰⁾. 

Still, it is essential to check CBD product labels to determine how many milligrams are in each bottle before administering the compound to your cat with kidney disease. 

With CBD oil tinctures, one dropper is equal to one milliliter. Generally, it is ideal to start with low doses of 0.05mg of CBD per pound of the cat’s body weight twice daily while observing your cat’s reaction in the following weeks⁽²¹⁾. 

Still, it is essential to consult your veterinarian to know the correct dose for your furry friend with a kidney disorder. 

Currently, most states in the United States do not allow veterinary professionals to prescribe CBD to animals. 

However, licensed veterinarians in Nevada can legally recommend CBD products to animal patients if the compound contains less than 0.3% of THC⁽²²⁾.       

How Long Does CBD Take to Help Cats With Kidney Failure?

No specific study has determined how long CBD takes to help cats suffering from kidney failure. 

Different factors may influence the compound’s onset time, like the administration method, dosage, and the cat’s weight and size. 

Sublingual administration allows CBD to bypass the cat’s gastrointestinal tract and directly enter the bloodstream, leading to a faster onset time. 

Meanwhile, oral ingestion of CBD through edibles allows the compound to pass through the cat’s digestive tract and be broken down and absorbed into the liver. In this particular method, the onset time usually takes longer. 

Lastly, topical CBD is not absorbed into the bloodstream but instead used for localized pain relief⁽²³⁾.

How Long Will CBD Help Cats With Kidney Failure?

There is no definitive research on CBD’s efficacy in cats with kidney failure. 

However, a study suggested that for a dose of 2mg of CBD per kilogram of a cat’s body weight, the compound’s half-life is around 1.5 hours⁽²⁴⁾.

Half-life refers to the time a medication or drug takes until its efficacy is reduced to half. 

Further clinical studies are required to determine how long CBD’s effects in cats last. 

How to Choose the Best CBD Products for Cats

There are many CBD brands that offer high-quality CBD oil or CBD-derived pet products on the market. 

Here are some elements you should consider when selecting the best CBD oil for cats with kidney disease:    

Extraction Methods

Some extraction techniques are steam distillation and natural solvent, ethanol, and carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction.

In CO2 extraction, manufacturers use compressed or liquified CO2 as the solvent to extract different compounds and CBD from the hemp plant⁽²⁵⁾.

Type of CBD Extract

Once extracted, the CBD oil may be classified as broad-spectrum, full-spectrum, or isolates.

Broad-spectrum CBD oil does not have tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, it contains most of the cannabinoids and compounds in the cannabis plant.

Meanwhile, CBD isolates are made of pure cannabidiol. This form of CBD extract does not contain any cannabinoids, compounds, or THC. 

Full-spectrum CBD oil is much like broad-spectrum CBD oil as it contains all the compounds and extracts of the cannabis plant, such as cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids. 

However, unlike broad-spectrum CBD oil, full-spectrum CBD oil contains less than 0.3% THC concentration⁽²⁶⁾.

Terpenes are essential oils in cannabis that provide plants their distinct aroma⁽²⁷⁾. Flavonoids are plant compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties⁽²⁸⁾.

Meanwhile, THC is a psychoactive compound of cannabis that causes the feeling of being high⁽²⁹⁾.

Pet owners should check the disclaimers on product information or labels. Caution is advised as THC may induce urinary incontinence, mild sedation, or ataxia in animals⁽³⁰⁾.

For their cats’ safety, pet owners should make sure to choose only THC-free CBD products like CBD isolates and broad-spectrum CBD oil for pets.  

Ingredients

When looking to buy CBD products for your cat, choose CBD oil derived from organic hemp extract. Organic hemp is cultivated using natural processes that aim to eliminate toxic preservatives, fertilizers, or chemical pesticides.

Pet owners are also advised to opt for products made from non-GMO (genetically modified organism) hemp when buying CBD products for their cats.   

CBD products for pets may have additives such as carrier oils like MCT oil, coconut oil, and hempseed oil. Note that hempseed oil is different from hemp oil. 

Hemp oil, a term often used to refer to CBD oil, is an essential oil derived from hemp plants⁽³¹⁾. Hempseed oil, extracted from hemp seeds, is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and does not contain cannabidiol. 

Certificates of Analysis

CBD brands that sell CBD products, including pet CBD oil products, should make the certificates of analysis or COAs available on their websites.

COAs are third-party test results that contain the CBD product’s cannabinoid content. This certificate also shows whether the product has any contaminants such as pesticides or heavy metals. 

Credible CBD products must have matching COA results and product label details. 

Is CBD Oil Safe for My Cat With Kidney Failure?

There are not enough reports regarding the safety of CBD oil for kidney failure. 

However, if pets ingest CBD products with high THC concentrations, it may cause cannabis intoxication⁽³²⁾. Thus, caution is advised when giving high doses of full-spectrum CBD oil to pets. 

Cannabis intoxication may lead to side effects like disorientation, excessive drooling and vomiting, seizures, and urinary incontinence in cats and dogs⁽³³⁾.

Pet owners are highly encouraged to initiate a conversation with their veterinarians before purchasing or using CBD products on their cats. 

Although current federal laws in the USA prevent veterinarians from recommending, prescribing, and administering CBD products to animals⁽³⁴⁾, clients may still start a discussion about CBD for their pets.

Risks and Side Effects of Using CBD for Cats With Kidney Failure

Moderate doses of CBD do not cause any detrimental side effects in cats⁽³⁵⁾.

However, the compound may induce mild side effects like lethargy, vomiting, lack of appetite, and diarrhea. Pets given high doses of CBD may also experience ataxia, an abnormal or unsteady walking pace⁽³⁶⁾.

Legality of CBD

Presently, the FDA does not approve CBD for cats. Due to insufficient data, the agency cannot ensure the safety and effectiveness of cannabis products on pets⁽³⁷⁾.

The use of CBD among humans is legal in the United States in a federal capacity. However, there may be varying levels of restrictions for CBD use in cats depending on the state. 

Therefore, before purchasing CBD products, verify and review your state laws to determine whether the compound is legal for your feline friends.