Cats age over time wear and tear on joints from years of pouncing, climbing, and playing often manifests as stiff, achy arthritis. Arthritis impacts over 60% of felines once they pass middle age. Seeing once active, vibrant kitties slowed by joint discomfort leaves caring owners feeling helpless and distressed. Like their human counterparts battling age-related osteoarthritis, kitties experience progressive cartilage erosion within overworked joints. Factors like obesity, past trauma, overexertion, and genetics also contribute. As cushioning cartilage thins, inflammation builds, and bone deformities develop, normal movement and weight become increasingly painful. Common warning signs in arthritic cats include difficulty jumping up to favored napping spots, withdrawing from interactive playtime, and hesitation tackling kitty litter steps with the usual gusto.
CBD oil for feline arthritis
Pharmaceutical management options like steroids carry notable adverse effects, including further cartilage breakdown over time. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like meloxicam provide relief but repeated use takes a toll on liver and kidney function. Fear of these outcomes leaves concerned owners rightfully leery of subjecting precious aging fur babies to a lifetime of daily pills.
Seeking a safer alternative, many cat lovers have turned to CBD oil with great success easing activity-limiting joint discomfort. Unlike THC, the famous euphoria-inducing cannabis compound, non-intoxicating CBD interacts with mammalian endocannabinoid systems to reduce inflammation and block pain signaling naturally. Emerging veterinary research in arthritic dogs confirms significant improvement in mobility and quality of life. Now feline models demonstrate similar benefits, without risks found with long-term use of pharmaceutical alternatives.
For aging kitties facing joint degeneration, soreness, and stiffness that restrict movement and play, CBD oil represents a low-risk supplemental intervention that promises restored comfort. Stiff limbs become flexible again and that means happier cats and relieved pet parents too. Let’s explore in detail how CBD oil eases aches and improves well-being in arthritic cats.
Reduces inflammation
The root cause driving progressive joint degeneration and subsequent osteoarthritis pain is inflammation. CBD powerfully suppresses inflammatory responses. It also decreases related oxidative damage and nerve excitability. Instead of further irritating sore joints like NSAIDs and steroids might, cbd for cats reduces swelling and disruption in affected tissues.
Blocks pain signals
CBD stimulates natural endocannabinoid receptor activity to mute pain perception and response through several channels. It explains why many arthritic cats seem more content and willing to move after starting CBD oil. They likely still have joint pathology, but the discomfort no longer registers as intensely thanks to CBD’s neural impact.
Eases stiffness and improves mobility
By decreasing joint irritation and dulling discomfort feedback, CBD allows arthritic cats to regain a comfortable movement range that reflects their underlying mobility level rather than pain avoidance. Unwilling to move previously due to anticipated aches, kitties often surprise owners by voluntarily playing, pouncing, climbing, and reclaiming favorite nap spots again a few weeks after starting CBD. Better mobility means much improved everyday quality of life.
Obesity sharply worsens arthritis by increasing mechanical stress across strained joints. Meanwhile, painful limbs hamper normal exercise patterns. CBD relieves discomfort enough to facilitate regular movement and activity again, burning more calories in the process.
