Are CBD Cat Treats A Good Thing for Your Furry Friend?

One of the newer health options that have recently captured the market by storm and fascinated millions is CBD. Enthusiast swears by the host of therapeutical benefits it gives them. That might not be without reason, though. Scientific research also hints at them as well and explains the mechanism that might be behind them.

So far, much of the study of CBD centers around animal tests, with a significant number of studies on humans still on the way. However, since animal tests are so abundant and their results so positive, could CBD be something you give to your pets too? Some people already figure out that, indeed, pets can also derive from CBD. Some of the most adamant enthusiasts swear that their cats and commercially CBD cat treats are a match made in heaven.

Before we get into a discussion on the good and possible bad of CBD cat treats, it’s a good idea to consider what is behind the product. After all, CBD might be a cannabinoid that, in turn, comes from cannabis. Yet, there are different varieties of cannabis, marijuana, and hemp, for example. Understanding just what is the difference between them will let you see just how safe CBD cat treats are.

In the following read, we will tell you everything you need to know about CBD, CBD cat treats, and just how safe all they are. The mechanism through which CBD work is basically the same in humans as well as in cats. One only needs to adjust the dosage to fit the cat’s needs.

That being said, it is always a good idea to get your veterinarian involved and have them approve and supervise the use of any CBD product.

A Look at CBD And CBD Cat Treats

CBD is a chemical compound belonging to the cannabinoid family. Those are compounds found within the cannabis plant. CBD is but one of the most abundant of them, next only to THC, another famous cannabinoid.

THC is the reason you get high when you consume cannabis, marijuana particularly. Yet, most CBD comes from industrial hemp, which is another variety of cannabis, and the reason for that it’s also THC. See, industrial hemp has a lower overall THC content than marijuana does, much lower in fact. Thus, making it the ideal source for CBD.

Not having enough THC means CBD cannot get you high, yet, it does deliver similar therapeutic effects as THC-heavy marijuana does. All those are great news for those looking for relief but reluctant to getting high and. Likewise, pet owners are concerned about what getting high might do to their pets.

CBD cat treats exist due to the simple idea that if CBD might help humans, could it also help their beloved pets. Turns out it can. CBD works through the endocannabinoid system, a complex web of receptors and neurotransmitters present in mammals’ bodies. Both humans and their pets, like cats and dogs, have it. Thus, cats might stand to gain some of the same relief humans does from taking CBD.

What Do CBD Cat Treats Do for Cats?

It is also understandable that cat owners want to take good care of their furry friends, so providing them with a safe and effective treatment option is always a priority. Just as CBD oil is used for the treatment of a variety of ailments in humans, it may also provide some similar benefits for your cat.

One of the primary reasons people use CBD is that it has anti-inflammatory properties. It may also provide additional benefits, but the anti-inflammatory benefit helps with a wide variety of ailments. Those benefits include helping with anything from anxiety and depression to most things pain and inflammation-related.

Of course, it is going to be up to you as the pet-owner to decide what is best for the cat. Yet, do consider the many benefits that come from CBD and the benefits CBD cat treats might deliver. Yes, research is still ongoing, but there’s a wealth of anecdotal evidence from enthusiastic cat owners available online.

What Are the Positive Effects?

We’ve already discussed some of the benefits of providing CBD through CBD cat treats. Let’s go a little more in-depth into all of them. You will perhaps notice that many of these benefits are similar to those experienced by humans using CBD. That is because the same mechanism to deliver said effects is basically the same in cats as it is in humans. Let’s talk about those benefits.

Pain Relief

The fact that CBD, which comes from the hemp variety of cannabis, is good for pain relief nothing new, as research can attest. In fact, people used cannabis for that expressed purpose for over a couple thousand years. According to both research and anecdotal evidence, CBD can effectively offer relief from pain, chronic or otherwise. It does this twofold; it both modules the transmission of pain signals from the brain and helps reduce inflammation. A wonderful option for aging cats which joints begin to hurt or cats that have arthritis.

Anxiety and Depression

Another benefit of CBD oil that many humans appreciate is a reduction in both depression and anxiety. The most common alternative to deal with that has been pharmaceutical drugs that usually have their own side-effects. CBD, on the other hand, comparatively has less serious side effects. Thus, it might be something you are more willing to expose both yourself and your cat too.

Using CBD treats can help reduce depression and anxiety in cats as well. Anxiety and depression are noticeable in cats when there’s a change in their environment. They begin to withdraw, eat less, and cradle up somewhere for seemingly hours without moving much. CBD might serve as the pick me up they need to up their spirits.

Heart Health

Studies have shown that CBD oil may help individuals who are suffering from various heart-related issues. That includes high blood pressure and, by extension, heart attack and heart failure in both rats and humans. Though there are currently no studies done specifically on cats yet, it’s very likely that this is also one of the benefits from CBD both cats and humans do share.

What Are the Risks?

Although CBD cat treats are an all-natural option that might be very healthy for your cat, there’s some risk involved. Though, it’s worth noting that using pharmaceutical drugs and many times riskier also does as well.

Some of the most common side effects associated with CBD include fatigue, diarrhea, and weight/appetite changes.

These issues are going to be easily recognizable in your feline. IF you ever encounter them, reducing the amount of CBD you give them might solve the issue. The appearance of these side effects links to just how much CBD you give to your pets. The more CBD they ingest, the more likely it is for the side effects to manifest.

It is also a good idea to discuss the use of CBD cat treats for cats with a veterinarian. That is especially true if your cat is already taking medication. CBD might interact with a select few medications, potentially giving you further issues down the line.

How Do CBD Cat Treats Work?

There have been some studies into how CBD works for humans; the delivery mechanism is basically the same for cats.

Although there are a lot of complex things taking place behind-the-scenes, it essentially boils down to a type of neurotransmitter that your body produces, endocannabinoids. These are neurotransmitters associated with cannabinoid receptors that make up your body’s endocannabinoid system. When your cat ingests CBD, the interaction with the receptors CB2 might help control pain sensation and inflammation. Also, interacting with CB1 receptors eases up anxiety and depression.

As long as you choose a high-quality CBD treat, you can expect your cat to experience all of the benefits they have to offer. Always online search for reviews of the product and manufacture you are looking to buy from to assess its quality.

What Are the Best CBD Cat Treats?

You have a number of different options available when choosing treats for your cat. The list becomes narrower, however, when you want to choose one that is high-quality.

Better yet, you can even make your own CBD cat treats of sorts. How? Basically, just add CBD oil to the next meal you give to your cats. Getting a dropper and putting a couple of drops on your cat’s water is also an easier, if simpler, way to give it to them.

Alternatively, there are more refined choices. One it’s a CBD cat treat made of albacore tuna but infused with lots of high-quality CBD extracts. Remember, the CBD is organic, so it is a great choice for keeping your cat safe and healthy.

One of the benefits of using said treats is the measured amount of CBD available in each. Since there is only 1 mg per treat, you can adjust how much your cat is ingesting easily. This is perfect for when you are first starting out, as you can see how they react.

Alternatively, there are also CBD cat treats made of chicken, salmon, and, of course, infused with CBD. The concoction is crunchy with 2 mg per treat of high-quality CBD in each bite-size treat. It’s a great option to keep your cat happy and healthy while, at the same time, knowing how much CBD they are receiving every time you give them a treat.