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CBD oils for cat anxiety help by promoting calmness and relaxation. CBD for cats has anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and panicolytic (anti-panic or fight vs. flight) properties that are beneficial for cat anxiety.
Give a cat between 2 and 4 milligrams of cat CBD oil or cat CBD treats per 10 pounds of body weight daily to support cat CBD anxiety and a stress-free state of mind. CBD or cannabidiol extracted from hemp is safe for cats and easy to implement into the cat’s care regimen.
The top 3 best CBD oils for cat anxiety are listed below.
- Joy Organics CBD Oil for Pets
- Honest Paws CBD Oil for Cats
- CBDfx CBD Oil for Cats
1. Joy Organics CBD Oil for Pets
The Joy Organics CBD Oil for Pets is a 100% THC-free, broad-spectrum, and organic hemp product with olive oil as a carrier. The formula helps cat anxiety and boosts overall health.
The Joy Organics CBD Oil for Pets is tested by an independent third-party laboratory and comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee. The oil is available in two potency options (450 mg and 900 mg) for straightforward dosing.
The main pros of the oil are the quality of sourcing and extracting, the use of olive oil as a carrier, and the lack of THC in the formula. The cons are the lack of cat-friendly flavor and the use of broad instead of full-spectrum CBD extract.
The Joy Organics brand recommends between 1 and 2 mg of CBD per 10 pounds of body weight.
The Joy Organics CBD Oil for Pets costs $44.95 per bottle.
Cat owners say that the Joy Organics CBD oil works fast and makes a difference in anxious and nervous cats and overall feline health and wellness. Customers are happy with the product quality, fast shipping, and money-back guarantee.
“I’ve used this on my two older cats and I think it improves they’re overall health. I put it in their food, and they have no problem eating it up.”
2. Honest Paws CBD Oil for Cats
The Honest Paws CBD Oil for Cats is a full-spectrum oil rich in different cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes, antioxidants, and fatty acids, hence helping with anxiety issues in cats.
The Honest Paws CBD Oil for Cats is made from USA-grown organic hemp and features organic MCT (medium chain triglyceride) oil as a carrier. The product has a concentration of 125 mg per bottle and comes with a user-friendly dropper.
The top pros of the oil are the full-spectrum formula, the benefit of organic hemp as a source, and the affordable price. The only con is the lack of cat-friendly flavors.
The Honest Paws brand recommends giving one full dropper daily for cats of all sizes.
The Honest Paws CBD Oil for Cats is available for $39.95.
Pet owners report that the Honest Paws CBD Oil for Cats helps with cat anxiety and in cats described as nervous wrecks. Customers like that the oil is clear and hard to detect, hence being simple to give to picky cats.
“I ordered this oil for my middle cat, who suddenly was fearful of her older brother. She cowered, hissed, and was terrified. I tried many solutions and none worked. Then I tried the CBD oil, and it has made a difference. She’s still somewhat fearful, but it has been reduced about 80% on the CBD oil. I will continue to give it to her to help her overcome this onset of irrational behavior. It’s the only thing that has worked.”
3. CBDfx CBD Oil for Cats
The CBDfx CBD Oil for Cats is a broad-spectrum CBD formula that helps relieve cat anxiety and promotes calmness. The oil is made with premium ingredients, such as organic hemp and coconut-derived MCT oil.
The CBDfx CBD Oil for Cats features 250 mg of CBD per bottle and comes in two cat-friendly flavors: Chicken and bacon. The dropper is precisely marked for precise dosing.
The top two pros of the oil are the human-grade formulation and the availability of chicken and bacon flavors. The only con is the use of broad-spectrum extract instead of full-spectrum CBD.
The CBDfx brand recommends giving half a dropper of CBD in the morning and half a dropper at night. Start with a third or fourth of a dropper for cats starting with cannabis.
The CBDfx CBD Oil for Cats costs $34.99.
The CBDfx CBD Oil for Cats is the best broad-spectrum formula for anxious cats. Pet owners like that the oil is effective, straightforward to use, and reasonably priced.
“This did help with our stressed cat during Thanksgiving weekend. Calmed him down so he could sleep. There are other cats in my home he is not allowed to interact with and he gets very frustrated. This seemed to work. Trick was getting it on his food before he ate it.”
4. Penelope’s Bloom CBD Oil for Cats
The Penelope’s Bloom CBD Oil for Cats is a full-spectrum formula designed to digest seamlessly and deliver rapid relaxation from cat anxiety. The oil has 150 mg of CBD per bottle.
The Penelope’s Bloom CBD Oil for Cats is crafted with organic CBD, MCT oil, and wild Alaskan salmon oil. The product is made in the USA and third-party laboratory-tested for safety, potency, and effectiveness.
The main pros of the oil are the full-spectrum formula, all-natural ingredients, and the use of salmon flavor cats enjoy. The main con is the product’s unavailability due to high demand.
The Penelope’s Bloom brand recommends giving one full dropper of CBD oil daily or on an as-needed basis. Administer the CBD oil with cat food or directly into the cat’s mouth to relieve cat anxiety.
The Penelope’s Bloom CBD Oil for Cats is available at $34.99.
Pet owners highly recommend Penelope’s Bloom CBD Oil for Cats, saying it is working wonders. The oil is effective because of the salmon flavor, the best CBD product for cats with picky appetites.
“This CBD oil works miracles for my cat’s anxiety and overall nervousness. She’s so much more chill and happy afterwards, I can always see a noticeable difference. It especially helps during car rides if your cat hates them like mine. Highly recommend, great quality and fast shipping!”
5. Batch CBD
The Batch Pet CBD Oil Tincture features three different cannabinoids (cannabidiol or CBD, cannabigerol or CBG, and cannabichromene or CBC) sourced from organic, Wisconsin-grown hemp.
The Batch Pet CBD Oil Tincture is a third-party lab tested for purity, safety, and potency. The oil is vegan, natural, non-GMO (genetically modified organisms), and THC-free (less than 03%). The CBD oil is available in two cat-friendly flavors, bacon and salmon, for simple administration and fast relief for cat anxiety.
The main pro of the oil is the availability of two flavors perfect for cats with picky appetites. The only con is the relatively high price compared to other products.
The Batch brand recommends giving cats between 3 and 5 mg of CBD per 10 pounds of weight per day.
The Batch Pet CBD Oil Tincture costs $64.99 per bottle.
Pet owners highly recommend the Batch Pet CBD Oil Tincture, saying it works wonders for anxious cats. The oil is best for cats prone to palate boredom as it comes in two flavor options.
“My dogs & cat love this. My dogs take it directly but I have to disguise it in food for my cat. Either way I notice a difference in mood whenever I use it. It helps my cat with his separation anxiety a lot.”
6. cbdMD CBD
The cbdMD Calming CBD Oil Tincture for Cats features a superior broad-spectrum hemp CBD formula. The formula is enriched with chamomile flower, lemon balm leaf, passion flower extract, valerian root, and melatonin, which provides additional support for cat anxiety.
The cbdMD Calming CBD Oil for Cats is fast-acting to relieve cat anxiety. The supplement is veterinary-formulated, third-party tested, unflavored, and contains 150 mg of CBD pet bottle. The bottle’s dropper is plastic for extra pet safety.
The top four pros of the oil are the fast-acting formula, the veterinary-based blend, the safe dropper, and the availability of two flavors. The only con is the inclusion of broad instead of full-spectrum CBD extract.
The cbdMD brand recommends one full dropper of CBD oil a day for cats less than 15 pounds and 2 droppers a day for cats over 15 pounds.
The cbdMD Calming CBD Oil Tincture for Cats comes at a price of $24.99.
Pet owners sat the cbdMD Calming CBD Oil for Cats is a great product and helps even with hospice patients. The oil is highly recommended and offers the best value for money in a calming cat CBD product.
“My cat was very anxious during our move and was licking her fur off and loudly meowing at night and lost her appetite. Started on this CBD, and the constant “licking” has stopped, and she sleeps better, and her appetite has increased too.”
How Can CBD Oil Help Cats with Anxiety?
CBD oil can help cats with anxiety because CBD has anxiolytic and panicolytic properties that reduce stress and the fight or flight reflex caused by cat anxiety.
Cindy H. J. Yu and Vasantha H. P. Rupasinghe wrote in “Cannabidiol-based natural health products for companion animals: Recent advances in the management of anxiety, pain, and inflammation” that “there is a significant gap in the literature on the therapeutic use of CBD in cats, with no feline data on anxiety.”
Isabella Corsato Alvarenga, Kiran S. Panickar, Hannah Hess, and Stephanie McGrath wrote in “The Annual Review of Animal Biosciences, Scientific Validation of Cannabidiol Management of Dog and Cat Diseases” that CBD appears to have good bioavailability and safety profile with fe side effects at physiological doses in companion animals” and “further studies are needed to conclude a therapeutic action of CBD for various health conditions in cats.”
CBD oil has a similar effect in most mammals, and its ability to help cat anxiety is derived from studies on other animals and anecdotal reports.
Understanding CBD’s potential to help cats with anxiety is based on two questions, “What is the ECS?” and “What is CBD?”
The ECS, or endocannabinoid system, is a regulatory system that controls and regulates vital functions like mood, memory, sleep, appetite, pain, etc. The ECS consists of endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a natural and health-boosting compound extracted from the cannabis plant. CBD replaces the body’s endocannabinoids, binds with the receptors, and interacts with the ECS, promoting calmness and relaxation.
Anecdotal evidence provided by pet owners supports the use of CBD for feline anxiety control. A Trupanion article titled “Is CBD Safe for Pets?” states that “many pet owners give their pets CBD because they believe it will help reduce anxiety.”
What is Anxiety for Cats?
Anxiety for cats is a body reaction that causes changes in the cat’s behavior. Cat anxiety is an emotional state described as “apprehensive anticipation of something bad happening.” by InternationalCatCare.
Cat anxiety develops following specific traumatic events or is triggered by objects and events like moving house, car rides, and changes in the living environment, such as introducing a new animal. Some cats experience chronic cat anxiety. Anxious cats exhibit unusual behaviors like crying and aggression and have a reduced life quality.
What are the Causes of Cat Anxiety?
There are five main causes of cat anxiety, including genetics, separation anxiety, trauma, changes in the environment, and improper socialization.
The causes of cat anxiety are listed and reviewed below.
- Genetics: Particular cat breeds, like Burmese and Tonkinese breeds, are prone to developing anxious behaviors.
- Separation Anxiety: Separation anxiety occurs in abused cats who have changed several homes in their lives. Cat separation anxiety is noticeable when the cat’s favorite human is not around.
- Trauma: Severe traumatic events affect the cat’s emotional state and are a common cause of anxiety. Cats that have been abandoned are more likely to develop anxiety.
- Changes in the Environment: Cats are creatures of habit, and all environmental changes are potential anxiety causes, from rearranging the furniture to bringing a new pet home.
- Improper Socialization: Lack of socialization during kittenhood results in anxiety in adult cats. The most important socialization period for kittens is between 2 and 9 weeks of age.
What are the Symptoms of Cats’ Anxiety?
The symptoms of cat anxiety are listed and reviewed below.
- Pooping/Peeing Outside the Litter Box: Going to the toilet outside the litter box in already house-trained cats is a sign of cat anxiety.
- Destructive Behavior: Anxious canines are more destructive than usual and prone to scratching, chewing, digging, and biting.
- Appetite Changes: Cats with anxiety eat much more than usual or lose their appetite. Appetite changes, without physical triggers, are a typical sign of emotional distress.
- Excessive Meowing: Pronounced vocalization in otherwise calm, quiet, and mellow cats is a common sign of cat anxiety.
- Clinginess or Aggressiveness: Excessive and unusual clinginess is seen in some cats with anxiety, while others get easily irritable and exhibit unexplained bouts of aggression.
- Hiding, Pacing, or Crouching: Cats with anxiety become overly nervous and hide all the time or are restless and paces. Crouching occurs in both situations.
How Does Anxiety Affect Cats Behavior?
Anxiety affects cats’ behavior by increasing respiratory and heart rates, drooling, panting, and trembling.
The most striking behavioral changes in anxious cats include pacing, hiding, destructive outbursts, and excessive vocalization.
What is the Normal Treatment for Cats with Anxiety?
The normal treatment for cats with anxiety is multimodal and includes counterconditioning, desensitization, environmental enrichment, and prescription medications.
Counterconditioning involves positive reinforcement and is based on changing the cat’s attitude toward the stress trigger.
Desensitization focuses on exposing the cat to short and low-intensity forms of the stress trigger for the purpose of building tolerance. Counterconditioning and desensitization are often used together and are very efficient, but they take time.
Environmental enrichment exercises the cat’s mind and body, leaving less time and energy for anxiety. Provide interactive toys, explorable items, high perches, scratching posts, etc., to support enrichment activities.
Prescription anti-anxiety medications are the fastest approach to managing an anxious cat. Anti-anxiety medication for cat anxiety includes Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, Clomipramine, Buspirone, Alprazolam, and Lorazepam. Anti-anxiety medications are effective but have side effects in some cats, especially if used long-term, which is why CBD Oil has emerged as a safe alternative supplement for cat anxiety.
How to Treat a Cat with CBD Oil?
To treat a cat with CBD oil, follow these instructions.
- Find The Right CBD Oil. There are many CBD oils for cats. Try several products to find what works best for the cat’s anxiety. Use alternative CBD products, such as cat CBD treats, if the oil is hard to administer.
- Experiment with the CBD Dose. The recommended starting dose of CBD for cats is between 2 and 4 milligrams per 10 pounds of body weight. Start with a lower CBD dose to give the cat time to adjust to the supplement. Increase the amount gradually until achieving the desired effect. The best outcome is a cat that is calm but not lethargic. Cats are different and respond differently to CBD.
- Be Consistent with CBD Use. Cannabidiol works best when used consistently on a daily basis. CBD for cats is safe to use regularly and benefits cats overall, not just with anxiety control.
- Use A Multimodal Approach. CBD for animals is safe to combine with other anti-anxiety approaches. Cats with severe anxiety require multimodal management that includes special beds, pheromones, other supplements, or even anxiety medications.
How Much CBD Oil Can a Cat Have for a Day?
The amount of CBD Oil a cat can have for a day is between 2 and 4 milligrams per 10 pounds of body weight.
The dose is twice the suggested amount for dogs because cats have fewer CBD receptors and need higher doses to experience the same effects.
Start with the recommended dose and gradually increase the CBD amount if necessary. Do not fret in case of accidental use of high doses, as cats do not overdose on CBD.
A study exploring the safety of escalating cannabinoid doses in healthy cats found that cats positively tolerate daily doses of up to 30.5 mg per kg CBD (13.8 mg per pound).
How to Choose the Right CBD Oil for Your Cats?
To choose the right CBD Oil for your cats, follow the steps below.
- Choose the CBD Oil Extract Type. CBD for cat anxiety must be full-spectrum and contain different types of cannabinoids and other compounds, such as flavonoids, terpenes, and fatty acids, with an entourage effect.
- Check the THC-Free Profile. Cat CBD products must be made from hemp, not marijuana. Marijuana contains THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which makes people high and is toxic to pets. Pet CBD products are allowed to contain less than 0.3% THC, in which case they are labeled as THC-free.
- Inspect the Certificate of Analysis (COA). The certificate of analysis is a third-party laboratory declaration that the CBD oil is pure and contains the same ingredients the manufacturer claims.
- Ensure the Pet-Specific Formulation. CBD for cat anxiety must be made exclusively for cats. Human CBD oils and edibles often contain components that are harmful to cats. These include xylitol, a sugar alcohol found in plants, and essential oils like citrus, peppermint, cinnamon, etc.
- Select the Best Brand. A trustworthy brand is transparent regarding the ingredients and manufacturing practices and displays the COA. Reading reviews from other customers helps form an idea of the brand’s reliability.
- Follow the Dosage Instructions. Each pet CBD product has dosage instructions. Experiment until the dosage relieves the anxiety without side effects. Do not exceed the dosage instructions unless instructed by a veterinarian.
Is CBD Oil Safe for Cats with Anxiety?
Yes, CBD oil is safe for cats with anxiety. A study, “Single-Dose Pharmacokinetics and Preliminary Safety Assessment with Use of CBD-Rich Hemp Nutraceutical in Healthy Dogs and Cats,” published in Animals in 2019, concluded that “hemp-based CBD appears safe in healthy dogs and cats.”
The Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery released a study on the “Safety and tolerability of escalating cannabinoid doses in healthy cats.” The study found that CBD was safe and “all observed adverse events (AEs) were mild, transient and resolved without medical intervention.”
The answer is yes to the question, “Is CBD safe for animals?” CBD for cat anxiety is safe when sourced from hemp and used correctly.
Are there Any Other CBD Products aside from CBD Oil?
Yes, there are other pet CBD products aside from CBD oil. The five products are CBD treats, capsules, powders, creams, and patches.
The other CBD products are listed and reviewed below.
- CBD Treats: CBD treats for cat anxiety feature oil combined with feline-friendly ingredients. CBD treats are delicious, available in pre-measured doses, and simple to use. Read more about the 7 best CBD cat treats.
- CBD Capsules: CBD capsules are challenging to dose and administer, especially in cats with anxiety. Cats are notorious for having picky appetites, and oral use of capsules is tricky.
- CBD Powders: CBD powders are an excellent alternative to oils or capsules for cat anxiety. Powders are added to the cat food and usually mix well. Mix with food for effective dosage.
- CBD Creams: Topical CBD products come in creams and balms. CBD topicals are formulated for external use and are practical for cat anxiety. The cream releases CBD as the cream reacts to the cat’s body heat.
- CBD Patches: CBD patches are applied to the skin and slowly release CBD ingredients when in contact with body heat.
What are Other CBD Oil Treatments for Cats?
The other CBD oil treatments for cats include arthritis, kidney disease, seizures, and cancer.
The most common CBD oil treatments for cats are listed below.
- CBD Oil for Arthritic Cats: CBD oil has anti-pain and anti-inflammatory features beneficial for cats with arthritis and joint problems. Consistent use of cannabinoids improves mobility and quality of life in arthritic cats.
- CBD Oil for Cats with Kidney Disease: CBD helps relieve the symptoms of kidney disease in cats, including appetite loss, inflammation, chronic pain, and anxiety. The kidney disease symptoms harm the cat’s wellness.
- CBD Oil for Seizure-Prone Cats: CBD helps normalize the brain rhythm, thus managing electrical impulse misfiring and acting as a neuroprotectant. Cannabidiol has antiepileptic and anticonvulsant properties.
- CBD for Cats Suffering Cancer: Cannabinoids have tumor-shrinking features, help destroy cancerous cells, induce apoptosis (programmed cell death), and prevent metastasis.
