CBD Cat Treats and Behavioral Changes: Understanding the Potential Impact

As CBD gains popularity for its potential therapeutic and pain-relieving effects in humans, it’s no wonder that the trend has spread to our feline best friends. CBD can boost your cat’s sense of calm and ease many of its behavioral disorders and health problems when used as part of a wellness regimen that includes lots of play and exercise. 

As a responsible pet owner, you could be concerned about the well-being of your feline companion, yet you might be apprehensive about giving your cat CBD. Everything you need to understand about CBD for cats is covered in this article, including what it is, how it works, and its benefits to your furry best friend.

What is CBD?

While cannabis plants (hemp) contain over 100 active chemicals, the two predominant ones are CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is a chemical molecule that alters brain function and is therefore regarded as a psychoactive substance. It is incredibly harmful to animals, and upon consumption, it can change your pet’s perception, attitude, and behavior. 

Unlike THC, CBD is safe and risk-free for humans and animals. CBD products for animals come in different forms, from topically applied creams to orally ingested oils and treats. Both CBD oils and treats are available for cats, and the flavors encompass everything cats love, from salmon to bacon. People primarily use CBD treats for cats to improve their quality of life and ease ailments. They can become a valuable and natural option to reduce anxiety and other issues affecting cats without causing harm. CBD, the most preferred all-natural product for pets, is effective against many conditions, including epilepsy, inflammation-related pain in the joints and organs, persistent anxiety, arthritis, and many more. 

CBD: Is it Safe for Cats?

Research on CBD use in pets, particularly cats, is still in its early phases. Despite this, CBD appears harmless and well-tolerated in animals, with little to no adverse reactions. According to one study, healthy cats receiving oral CBD every 12 hours for 12 weeks did not experience any unfavorable alterations in their blood chemistry. 

However, because each cat is unique, cat owners should always pay great attention to their feline best friend’s behavior while introducing a new supplement. Keep an eye out for the following:

• Stomach discomfort, 
• Vomiting,
• Diarrhea,
• Lethargy or other behavioral changes. 

Stop administering CBD to your cat if you observe any adverse side effects. Since CBD doesn’t have a long half-life in cats, any side effects should disappear soon if you stop using it. However, keep in mind the following preventive tips:

• Check to ensure your CBD treats for cats are made from pure and organic hemp plants and contain 0% THC. 
• Never administer any product to your cat with THC constituents.
• Purchase only from manufacturers with a solid reputation and rigorous quality control procedures.
• Look for producers who carry out independent lab testing.
• Don’t give your cat a CBD product you’re using; buy only products specifically dosed and formulated for pets. 

Is CBD Legal?

Let’s clear up some common misconceptions regarding CBD, cannabis, and marijuana. Cannabis-family plants are the source of CBD, specifically, the hemp variety of this plant. Marijuana is a widely recognized variant of the cannabis plant, which naturally contains high concentrations of the psychoactive element called THC.

However, the hemp plant lacks sufficient amounts of THC and cannot produce psychoactive effects. Therefore, there are no concerns regarding intoxication when using hemp-derived CBD for its therapeutic effects.

Federal law distinguishes CBD obtained from industrial hemp from cannabis used recreationally. CBD products can be purchased and sold legally as long as they include less than 0.3% THC.

Which Benefits Does CBD Have for Cats?

As you introduce cannabis to your feline companion, you must extensively research its anticipated effects and how it interacts with your cat’s body. Let’s look at several advantages CBD has for your cat.

Pain Relief 

Most cat owners report that their feline companions are exceptionally gentle and rarely convey pain or discomfort to them. As a result, cats are susceptible to deep discomfort and chronic inflammation. CBD products are an efficient therapy option regardless of the cause, severity, or length of your pet’s pain or inflammation.

The chemical components of CBD encourage the rapid regeneration of healthy cells, hastening your pet’s recovery.

Stress Reduction

Most cat owners are unaware that their pets suffer mental fatigue, which can lead to stress. Loud noises, routine adjustments, moving to a new place, changes to the home’s layout, and habit changes can all exacerbate your cat’s anxiety.

Try giving CBD treats to your cat for stress and anxiety relief, as the treats help to soothe your pet’s nerves.

Improved Mobility

As your furry friend ages, mobility issues progressively manifest. You may discover that your feline friend needs help going up or down the stairs, jumping from chair to chair, or going on long walks. CBD cat treats for joints might help your pet quickly return to walking and playing.

Convulsion Treatment and Prevention

CBD cat remedies help soothe the central nervous system and therefore preventing the recurrence of convulsions in your pet. They reduce the number of electrolytes responsible for epileptic symptoms.

Cat Immunity Booster 

CBD treats can improve a cat’s immune system, enhancing your pet’s general health and managing identified ailments. By strengthening your furry friend’s heart and brain health, these products help the animal live longer. 

Still, you should remember that although CBD for cats has many advantages, it can also have negative consequences, such as gastrointestinal problems. Cats may become sleepy or experience stomach discomfort when given high amounts of CBD oil, but these issues typically go away when the CBD dose is reduced.

Side Effects of CBD

Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine’s report revealed that the Pet Poison Helpline had experienced a 48% increase in marijuana-related overdoses and deaths in 2019. However, the helpline does not separate THC-related from CBD-related cases. Keep an eye out for some of these indicators of adverse effects of CBD on your kitty.

• Drowsiness. Although CBD works by calming your pet and inducing sleep, overdosing on CBD can result in excessive sleepiness or drowsiness. If your cat can barely stay awake or is asleep for too long, it is a sign of the adverse effects of CBD treats.
• Gastrointestinal Issues. Bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, and general bowel issues indicate adverse reactions to CBD. However, to ascertain that the effect is from CBD and not other foods, it is best to eliminate questionable foods you suspect to cause such effects.
• Dry Mouth. Scientific studies suggest that CBD may cause cats’ mouths to become dehydrated by reducing salivation. Mouth dryness can harm a cat’s teeth and gums, aggravate poor breath, and make swallowing challenging. As a result, your cat may have increased thirst and water consumption to compensate for dehydration. If your pet exhibits this reaction, it is advised to lower the CBD dosage and seek medical attention if the condition does not improve.
• Lower Blood Pressure. If you give CBD treats to your cat in high dosages, you risk causing a dip in blood pressure. Your cat can begin to feel dizzy and tired and might have a momentary feeling of lightheadedness. Consult your veterinarian immediately and let them know you’re utilizing CBD oil as a treatment.

The Bottom Line

Many pet owners administer CBD to their animals because it reduces stress. While pet CBD may aid in decreasing stress hormones, current research has not established that it will help your pet feel calm or lessen nervous behavior. Additionally, remember that it might be challenging, if possible, to determine the precise concentration of THC or CBD in any oral supplement, oil, or other CBD pet product. 

The good news is that many solutions are available to pet owners today for treating pet anxiety. If you’re looking for top-quality CBD cat treats for anxiety – AskGrowers is a good starting point with many reliable brands and product options.

You can try various natural treatments for pet anxiety in addition to the many FDA-approved prescription drugs for anxiety in pets. Make an appointment or call your veterinarian to discuss the best option for your pet.

The material was presented by Tia Moskalenko, a passionate fan of cats and a cannabis researcher and author. Tia writes for AskGrowers to help CBD consumers and pet owners choose safe and reliable product options. Thus, she is passionate about bridging the gap in knowledge and letting more people and their pets derive benefits from CBD use.