Yes! CBD can definitely help cats with anxiety, as well as a plethora of other health issues. Oftentimes in the pet CBD space, dogs are the primary focus of most marketing and products. However, cats can most definitely benefit from CBD as well!
Just like with most pet owners, a common concern among many cat owners is how to help their cats manage anxiety. Different cats have different stress levels and different reactions to stress. For some cats, it takes a large event or change to create anxiety. For others, even a minuscule change in their daily life can cause great upheaval and uncertainty. There are many different ways to try to manage anxiety in cats. Some cat owners will turn to behavioral therapy while others will talk to their veterinarians about incorporating various medications. Then there are the owners who don’t know what to do or where to start. Whether your cat has ongoing generalized anxiety or situational anxiety, cat owners just want what’s best for their pets, specifically for them to be happy and healthy.
The pet wellness industry has been steadily growing over the past couple of years. Specifically, there has been a lot of chatter surrounding CBD, weed, cannabis, hemp, etc. As a pet owner, it can be challenging to figure out what all of those things are and understand their benefits. There are also lots of misconceptions and negative stigma surrounding the use of CBD and especially the use of CBD on pets and other animals.
If you are new to the world of CBD, here is a little background information. The first thing to know is that CBD can not get you high. You or your pet will never feel any sort of high from using any product that is strictly CBD or hemp seed oil. They are both non-psychoactive, non-drowsy and while they have many benefits, getting high is not one of them. The compound found in weed that makes you feel high is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.
While CBD has many benefits including joint/mobility support, appetite support, and balanced behavior support, most people turn to CBD for its calming benefits. CBD has been cited as helping many humans, dogs and cats feel less anxious, calmer, and overall more ~zen~. While the studies are still limited given how new the product is on the market, there have been no major side effects found. Potential side effects could include dry mouth, lowered blood sugar and drowsiness.
When picking a CBD product for your cat, there are a couple things to consider. You want to make sure that the product you're picking is made with simple ingredients, is all-natural, and has been tested. If a company can not provide you with proof of testing, then it is better to skip that brand and find a more reputable one. The other important thing is to carefully read the dosage directions on the back of the package. A three pound kitten should not be taking as much CBD as a full grown maine coon.
A good starter product for cats is the Zen Frenz Zen Drops 250mg. These are a great choice because they are a lower concentration, have no flavor and no smell!
Works Cited
“CBD Oil for Cats: Will It Help Their Anxiety?” Wellness Pet Food, www.wellnesspetfood.com/our-