Compare the Best CBD Oil for Cat Aggression in 2022

How CBD May Help With Cat Aggression

Cannabidiol or CBD is a cannabis compound purported to have anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing), anti-nausea, and anti-epileptic properties⁽¹⁾.

CBD works by engaging the cannabinoid receptors of your pet’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). This interaction may help bring CBD’s therapeutic benefits to your furry friends⁽²⁾.

Studies are ongoing to determine the potential effectiveness of CBD in relieving pain, managing dog and cat anxiety, and controlling epilepsy in pets⁽³⁾. These adverse conditions may be observed in cats with aggression⁽⁴⁾.

A slight difference between the ECS of humans and animals is that animals are more sensitive to tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. Higher THC consumption may cause toxicity in pets⁽⁵⁾.

Benefits and Uses of CBD for Cat Aggression

Some of the primary health benefits of CBD for your pet include⁽⁶⁾:

• Pain relief
• Anti-anxiety
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-nausea
• Neuroprotection

Aggressive cats may display anxious behavior, especially when making a defensive posture⁽⁷⁾. CBD may work for anxious pets due to its anxiolytic properties⁽⁸⁾.

Cats with anxiety may also become nauseous and start vomiting⁽⁹⁾. CBD’s anti-nausea effects may help your cat feel slightly better, which is helpful for situations such as getting your pet to ride the car⁽¹⁰⁾.

CBD Dosage to Help With Cat Aggression

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at present has not approved a standard dosage guide for aggression in cats.

One dosage suggestion is to start with a low-end dose of 0.05 milligrams (mg) of CBD per pound (lb) of the pet’s body weight twice a day. A mid-range dose is about 0.125 mg of CBD per pound twice daily, while a high-end dose is 0.25mg/lb twice daily⁽¹¹⁾.

How to Administer CBD Oil to Cats

Different types of CBD products may be administered to your feline friend in the following ways⁽¹²⁾:

• Edibles, such as biscuits, chews, and pet treats
• CBD tinctures and oils added to regular pet food
• Capsules
• Topicals, such as sprays, butter, and salves

Cat owners may use CBD oil on their pets based on their preferred product type or delivery method.

Edible cat treats are administered orally and may be a convenient way to give CBD to your pets, especially if they are picky eaters⁽¹³⁾.

CBD capsules are also ingested orally, allowing CBD to pass through the cat’s digestive tract before getting absorbed into the body. Alternatively, CBD capsules may be administered by pouring their contents onto the cat’s food.

Tinctures are delivered sublingually or under the tongue. These oil tinctures usually come with a dropper for convenient CBD dosage control and administration to cats.

CBD tinctures are often mixed with a carrier oil such as medium-chain triglycerides or MCT oil, hempseed oil, or coconut oil to dilute the CBD concentrate.

Hempseed oil is typically extracted from hemp seeds and is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and protein. However, hempseed oil does not contain CBD⁽¹⁴⁾.

CBD topicals are applied to the cat’s skin and may be viable for managing sore joints and skin conditions⁽¹⁵⁾. Some topicals for pets include creams, massage oils, and balms.

How Long Does CBD Take to Help With Cat Aggression?

At present, no extensive studies have been conducted to determine CBD onset times in aggressive cats.

Factors such as dosage, administration method, and the cat’s size and weight may influence the drug’s onset times.

Sublingual administration using oil tinctures allows CBD to directly enter the cat’s bloodstream. This method bypasses the pet’s gastrointestinal tract and may result in faster onset times than other delivery methods.

Oral ingestion using edibles or capsules allows CBD to pass through the digestive tract and be broken down in the liver. This administration method may take a longer time to take effect.

Topical applications using creams or lotions may start taking effect depending on the condition of the cat’s skin. Topicals typically do not get absorbed into the bloodstream and are usually used for localized relief of joint pains and other skin conditions⁽¹⁶⁾.

How Long Will CBD Help With Cat Aggression?

No conclusive studies regarding cannabinoid efficacy on cats have been published.

However, a 2019 study suggested that CBD’s half-life for a dose of 2mg of CBD per kilogram of a cat’s body weight is about 1.5 hours⁽¹⁷⁾.

Half-life is the time a drug or medication takes until its effectiveness is reduced to 50%.

More clinical trials are needed to conclusively determine how long CBD’s effects in cats last.

Side Effects and Risks of Using CBD for Cat Aggression

CBD appears to have no significant adverse effects on animals unless a high amount of CBD is administered⁽¹⁸⁾.

Common side effects observed in pets that ingested CBD include lethargy, vomiting, lack of appetite, and diarrhea. Ataxia can also occasionally occur when pets take high CBD doses⁽¹⁹⁾.

Ataxia is a condition characterized by abnormal or unsteady gait or walking pace.

Is CBD Oil Safe for Cats?

There is insufficient scientific information to date regarding the safety of using CBD oil for cat aggression.

However, CBD may cause cannabis intoxication in pets, especially when CBD products with high THC concentrations are used⁽²⁰⁾. Caution is advised when administering high CBD doses to pets.

Cannabis intoxication may cause other side effects like hyperactivity, pupil dilation, excessive drooling or vomiting, disorientation, urinary incontinence, and seizures⁽²¹⁾.

Additionally, human-grade CBD products may have a different formulation than pet CBD products and thus, may not be suitable for cats.

Any treatment or medication has some level of risk or side effects. Pet owners are advised to initiate a conversation with a veterinarian before purchasing CBD products for their cats’ wellness.

Be advised that current federal law prohibits veterinarians from prescribing, administering, or recommending cannabis products for animals⁽²²⁾.

Review your state’s laws to determine if your vet is legally permitted to prescribe or recommend CBD products for your cat.

Choosing the Best CBD Oil for Cats

When looking for the highest-quality product that may work best for your pet, consider the extraction method, product category, laboratory analysis, and your pet’s preferences.

CBD suppliers use various processes such as carbon dioxide (CO2), ethanol, or hydrocarbon extraction to extract hemp oil containing CBD from the cannabis plant.

In CO2 extraction, manufacturers use liquified CO2, which acts as a solvent for extracting CBD and other compounds from the hemp plant⁽²³⁾.

Ethanol extraction is a centuries-old practice among many cultures for extracting medicinal compounds from the cannabis plant. CBD oil extracted using this method may have trace amounts of THC present⁽²⁴⁾.

Hydrocarbon extraction involves solvents like butane or propane for CBD extraction. Suppliers must remove all hydrocarbons from the hemp extract so the product will not cause adverse health issues⁽²⁵⁾.

After CBD oil is extracted, manufacturers can classify it as full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolates.

Broad-spectrum CBD products usually do not contain THC. However, they have most of the other compounds and cannabinoids in the cannabis plant.

CBD isolates are made of pure CBD only. THC and other cannabinoids and compounds are not included in these products.

Full-spectrum CBD oil contains all the cannabinoids and compounds in broad-spectrum products. However, full-spectrum CBD includes THC.

However, THC may cause mild sedation, hyperesthesia, urinary incontinence, or ataxia in pets⁽²⁶⁾. Thus, you may want to consider THC-free alternatives like isolates or broad-spectrum CBD products for your pet.

Some of the compounds in full-spectrum CBD products include flavonoids and terpenes. Flavonoids are plant chemicals containing antioxidant properties, while terpenes give plants their distinct aroma.

Reputable CBD brands selling pet CBD oil products usually provide certificates of analysis (COAs) on their websites.

COAs are third-party lab test results that contain the CBD product’s actual cannabinoid content.

The COA may also reveal whether the product contains pesticides, heavy metals, and other contaminants detected through third-party testing.

Credible CBD products usually have COA results that match the product label details. COAs are also updated regularly to ensure that you can access the product’s most recent lab results.

When choosing high-quality CBD products, consider CBD oil made from organic hemp extract. Organic hemp is produced without chemical pesticides, fertilizers, or preservatives.

In the USA, some states, such as Kentucky, Colorado, and Montana, are authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to grow hemp⁽²⁷⁾.

If the CBD product you purchased is not made from organically grown hemp, consider purchasing one free of pesticides, heavy metals, and solvents. You may review the COA to know if the product contains such contaminants.

Some pet owners may also prefer gluten-free and non-GMO CBD pet products. Others may also choose CBD treats containing natural ingredients for their pet cat.

Some CBD suppliers may also provide subscription offers like shipping discounts or money-back guarantees if the product falls below your expectations.

Legality of CBD

At present, the FDA does not endorse cannabis for cats. Without sufficient and conclusive scientific data, the agency cannot guarantee the efficacy and safety of cannabis products on animals⁽²⁸⁾.

CBD consumption among humans is legal on a federal level. However, there may be different restriction levels per state for CBD use in cats.

Before purchasing CBD products for pets, review your state laws to determine if CBD is legal for your feline companion.

 What Is Aggression in Cats?

Aggression is among the most common feline issues, according to animal behaviorists⁽²⁹⁾. It is characterized by harmful behavior toward humans or other animals.

Some reasons animals become aggressive include defending their territories, guarding their offspring, or protecting themselves from attackers⁽³⁰⁾.

Existing medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism, epilepsy, arthritis, rabies, and cognitive dysfunction can also contribute to cat aggression⁽³¹⁾.

If you suspect your cat’s behavior or medical condition indicates aggression, consider bringing your pet to a veterinarian for diagnosis.