How CBD Can Help Cats With Anxiety
Are you a cat owner? Do you often see your pet lethargic? Or does he exhibit aggressive behavior far too often?
Then it is likely that your cat is going through a bout with anxiety. Cats with anxiety may exhibit such behavior among many others. Sometimes, anxiety causes them to vomit or tremble.
Since these symptoms may also be signs of other health concerns, it is crucial to identify the possible triggers causing them. And when it comes to treatment, there is one that cat owners often ask about: CBD oil.
CBD or cannabidiol is one of more than 113 different natural cannabinoids that come from the hemp plant. Its popularity increased over the past decade because of its pain management benefits.
But the question now is will CBD oil work in cats? Can it help reduce your pet’s anxiety? Let’s find out below.
Table of Contents
1.Understanding Cats with Anxiety
Before we go through the effects of CBD oil, let us first understand the dynamics of cats and anxiety. Yes, cats suffer from anxiety for many different reasons. One of the most common reasons is when they sense danger.
Like humans, cats (and other animals) have a “fight-or-flight” mode. Danger triggers this mode for the main purpose of survival. However, anxious cats go into this mode too often.
This even happens even when there is no need to.
Hence, anxiety strikes your pet and causes disruptions affecting his life. Another common trigger is when you leave them alone in the house for far too long. The same thing goes if you move to a new place where everything is new to your pet.
But keep in mind that anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress. Humans and animals both become anxious. However, it is excessive anxiety that we need to keep on a lookout for concerning our feline friends.
2.The Main Causes
As we mentioned earlier, many possible triggers will leave your cat anxious. Studies confirm that cats experience anxiety after separation from their owners. This is more evident if the owners leave them for days.
If there are visitors who are coming over for the very first time, your cat may feel uneasy in the presence of strangers. If you are taking her to the vet for her shots, she may show signs of anxiety even before you step inside the clinic.
3.Behavioral Symptoms of Feline Anxiety
And before you even decide to try CBD oil for cats, you must first familiarize yourself with the different behavioral symptoms of feline anxiety. The first thing to watch out for is a phobia, which causes the response of fear.
This happens whenever your cat finds himself in a situation that causes stress. The response can be in the form of urinating or spraying. It can also be skipping meals or overeating.
Sometimes, you will notice your cat scratching your furniture. If this is something she rarely does, then it is likely that something is stressing her out.
And if your cat is generally mild-mannered then claws or bites the people around him, he may be going through an anxiety attack. Aggressive behavior is one of the key symptoms of anxiety in cats.
4. How Can CBD Oil Help?
Now we go to the primary question. How can CBD oil help cats with anxiety? First, CBD oil can help calm down your cat. Unlike cannabis and its THC cannabinoid that causes anxiety, CBD does the opposite.
CBD doesn’t come with any mind-altering properties. Moreover, it will not give your cat that “high” feeling that recreational cannabis does.
Though the Food and Drugs Administration has yet to award a formal approval for CBD as medicine or supplement, many studies already point to its calming qualities. Furthermore, some researchers note that CBD can help increase serotonin levels temporarily.
Serotonin is the chemical that gives cats the feeling of happiness and wellbeing.
Another important thing to note about cats is that they come with an endocannabinoid system (ECS) similar to that of humans. This means that a cat’s body can process CBD the same way a human’s body does.
Hence, CBD oil will work on your cat because of this ECS.
Furthermore, this ECS plays a crucial role in managing different body processes. It can help boost your cat’s endocrine system. It can also promote metabolism and reduce inflammation.
However, the most important effect of CBD is the way it interacts with the 5-HT1A. This is a specific serotonin receptor that gives that happy feeling in your cat, as we mentioned earlier.
And if you’re going to compare its effects, it is somewhat akin to that of a standard antidepressant.
5.Proper Dosage a Must
Despite the many potential benefits of CBD for cats, there is another question that lingers in the minds of cat owners. “Is CBD safe for cats?” The answer is “yes.”
However, there are certain factors to consider. The biggest one is giving the proper dosage to your pet. To set the record straight, there are no official standards when it comes to the proper dosage.
Nevertheless, there are dosing charts you can find online that users can follow. Also, if you already identified the anxiety triggers, try anticipating it by giving your cat a dose of CBD oil at least 30 minutes before exposure to the trigger.
Also, make sure to start with a low dosage. Try giving your cat about 0.25mg of CBD for every pound of body weight.
Last but not least, invest in quality CBD oil. Check how the manufacturer extracts the CBD from the hemp. This will greatly affect the quality and efficacy of CBD oil.
Additionally, it is best to get CBD oil that is veterinarian-formulated.
6.Give Your Cat the Best CBD Oil Experience
Knowing how to treat cats with anxiety is a must for any cat owner. Not only will it restore your pet’s positive wellbeing, but it will also help keep everyone in the house safe. And if you wish to give CBD oil a try, then you came to the right place.
Connect with us today and tell us about your pet’s situation. Check out our catalog of high-quality CBD products. Talk to us today and let’s give your pet the healthy and happy life he deserves.
Product Info
CBD Experts
Tailored Advice
Call
Email