Cats, much like dogs and humans, are also equipped with an endocannabinoid system. Can they experience the benefits of CBD?

From beauty stores to pet stores, CBD products are everywhere. Animals, like us, are equipped with an endocannabinoid system, leading researchers and businesses to believe that they can also experience the benefits that we experience when consuming CBD.

According to some brands, when it comes to CBD’s effect on cats, the compound can help them relax, provide pain relief, reduce aggression and help them manage their stress. But how accurate are these statements?

Many CBD brands claim that their products can provide relief for cats suffering from different kinds of ailments, especially once they’re seniors and facing conditions like arthritis, which can influence their behaviors and cause them to become anxious.

Changes in environments, like the ones produced by the pandemic where suddenly people are spending more time at home or moving households, can also affect cats’ behaviors; their anxiety and stress might be expressed through poor grooming and eating habits. CBD’s anti-inflammatory and stress relieving properties might be a good option for treating these symptoms without causing meaningful side effects.

Information available on CBD and cats is preliminary. While there have been some studies that found correlations between CBD and less pain, stress and anxiety, veterinarians don’t have all of the answers. Depending on who you’re asking, you might get totally different responses and levels of excitement regarding CBD products for pets.

“Research on the use of things like CBD is still in its infancy despite the very promising anecdotes and affirmative marketing seen in media today,” said Christian Kjaer, CEO of ElleVet Sciences.

The journal Animals published a study in 2019 that found no negative side effects associated with CBD use in dogs and humans, however, cats did experience some behavioral changes, including excess licking and head shaking. “Dosing of CBD can be different among different species, but also each individual animal depending on what we are trying to support,” said Kjaer.

Cats are smaller than dogs, meaning that CBD dosage may play an even more important role than the one it plays for other species. When using CBD on your pets, it pays to be careful; before you give your cat any products, be sure to talk to your vet and figure out all of your options.