Usage of CBD to Address Aggression in Cats: Finding the Right Balance

If your cat shows signs of aggression, it may be due to physical or behavioral issues. Consultation with a veterinarian will help identify the triggers and determine the right treatment plan. Health supplements with CBD for cats have demonstrated high efficacy and safety and can help your furry family member with their problem. Research shows that this hemp derivative works similarly in cats as it does in humans and can assist by doing the following:

• Reducing pain

• Stabilizing mood

• Diminishing stress

• Easing discomfort^[1]

More and more pet owners opt for products infused with CBD for cats' aggression. First-time users should start slowly to ensure that their felines don't experience any adverse effects.

Causes and Risks of Aggressive Behavior in Cats

Since cats are predators, their aggressive behavior may be natural, with the traces embedded in their play or social conflicts. However, excessive aggression can be caused by injury, anxiety, fear, or health problems, and it can become destructive to your pet. By reading your cat's body language, you can determine the cause and understand whether its aggression is offensive or defensive.

The most common causes of feline aggression are the following:

• Medical conditions (joint pain, toothache, infection, or age-related cognitive dysfunction)

• Territorial defense (when moving to a new home or introducing a new person/pet)

• Fear (loud noises or new objects)

• Excessive petting

• Re-directed aggression toward humans

• Maternal instinct (when a cat sees people or other animals approaching its offspring)

Living with an aggressive cat can be risky and detrimental to both the pet and its owner. A qualified professional will develop a customized treatment plan for calming aggressive cats and to help reduce your feline's susceptibility to aggression.

CBD's Working Mechanism and Its Potential in Managing Aggression in Cats

Treating your cat with certain pharmaceutical drugs and diets can increase the likelihood of aggressive behavior, which is why more veterinarians are discovering that CBD for cat aggression may be more helpful.

Like other mammals, cats have an endocannabinoid system^[2] (ECS) that works in a similar way to humans. It means that felines can also benefit from the calming, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties of cannabidiol. The ECS promotes and maintains the balance between various organs and systems, ensuring the smooth and harmonious functioning of your cat's body. Hemp-derived cannabidiol has the potential to act on the receptors and affect the activity of the ECS by establishing proper communication between cells. This phytocompound is known to have the following characteristics:

• Anti-inflammatory

• Soothing

• Relaxing

• Pain-relieving

• Stress-reducing

• Mood-elevating

• Health-promoting

Cannabidiol binds to cannabinoid receptors and acts as a regulator, putting your cat in a better state of mind, helping calm aggressive cat behavior, and preventing future outbursts.

In general, CBD oil for cats is safe^[3]. However, more research is needed in this area, especially with its long-term use. Before buying this dietary supplement, obtain a veterinarian's approval and observe the proper dosage based on your pet's weight, underlying medical conditions, and the causes of intake. Since cats are notoriously difficult to medicate, start with CBD pet treats or mix hemp-infused oils into their meals instead of using sublingual oil. Look for high-quality THC-free goods. An enticing natural fish flavor will increase your feline's interest in the product.

Top 5 Products with the Best CBD for Aggressive Cats

With a wide variety of CBD products for pets, it can be hard to choose and find the right option. The experts at AskGrowers have reviewed dozens of brands, comparing hemp quality, lab test results, prices, consumer testimonials, and other factors. Check out this selection of the top 5 products for your feline.

GoGreen Hemp CBD Dog and Cat Oil Tincture Drops

GoGreen Hemp has created CBD Dog and Cat Oil Tincture Drops with a special formula that contains only two ingredients: broad-spectrum hemp, which is rich in terpenes and flavonoids, and MCT coconut oil. It helps reduce stress, improve overall well-being, reduce anxiety, elevate mood, and promote better sleep. It comes in two potencies to meet your pet's needs: 300 mg and 510 mg per 1 fl. oz. bottle. The product is third-party lab-tested for potency and quality, with results that can be viewed with a QR scan. It has zero THC levels. Pet owners can accurately dose the oil due to a built-in dropper; there is a dosage chart on the package.

 

GoGreen Hemp CBD Dog and Cat Oil Tincture Drops $25.99 Visit official website

Pros:

• Veterinarian-formulated
• Made from organic hemp grown in Colorado
• Gluten-free, non-GMO
• Economically priced

Cons:

• Some pets may not like the hemp flavor

Extract Labs CBD Oil for Pets

CBD Oil for Pets created by Extract Labs is made with simple ingredients that include full-spectrum hemp and fractionated coconut oil. The hemp extract is enriched with terpenes, flavonoids, and minor cannabinoids, and it contains less than 0.3% THC. It is great for relieving tension and discomfort, reducing stress, decreasing irritability, soothing joint pain, and improving mood. This oil is produced in GMP-compliant facilities and tested in independent labs. It is available in 2 sizes: 500 mg per 1 fl. oz. and 1000 mg per 2 fl. oz. bottle. A convenient built-in dropper allows for accurate dosage measurement.

 

Extract Labs CBD Oil For Pets 1000 mg $49.99 Visit official website

Pros:

• Includes no preservatives, additives, or artificial colorings
• USDA-certified organic compounds
• Made from American-grown hemp
• Gluten-free, non-GMO
• Cruelty-free

Cons:

• Full-spectrum format may not be suitable for some pets
• Some cats may not like the natural hemp flavor

American Shaman CBD Cat Food Kitty Nugs

CBD Cat Food Kitty Nugs by American Shaman come in a 48 oz. (3 lbs.) bag and contain 60 mg of full-spectrum hemp extract, preserving the rich terpene profile and providing 2.5 mg per serving. They are formulated with natural ingredients, including chicken, flaxseed, oatmeal flour, fish oil, and vitamins. These mini nugget-shaped pieces have a delicious chicken flavor. They help support a balanced mood, reduce anxiety, aid digestion, improve cognitive function, and promote your feline's well-being at any stage of life.

 

American Shaman CBD Cat Food Kitty Nugs $39.99 Visit official website

Pros:

• The bag seals tightly to keep the product fresh
• Beneficial for all ages
• Suitable for daily use
• The taste will satisfy even the pickiest feline eater

Cons:

• The texture may be hard for aging cats or those with dental issues
• Full-spectrum hemp may not be suitable for some pets

CBD Dog Health Calm CBD Oil for Cats

CBD Dog Health offers a natural product to help your feline reduce stress, ease anxiety, and cope with situational fear - Calm CBD Oil for Cats. It is formulated with 550 mg of full-spectrum hemp extract that is rich in terpenes and phytocannabinoids, hemp seed oil, MCT oil, and lavender essential oil. This scientifically-backed botanical is known for its relaxing and calming effects. The oil can be applied to the gums, added to your cat's meals, and rubbed into the ears. It comes in a 2 fl. oz. bottle with a dropper for convenient dosage measurement.

 

CBD Dog Health Calm CBD Oil for Cats $74.99 Visit official website

Pros:

• The brown bottle protects the oil ingredients from degradation in light
• Suitable for daily and occasional use
• Non-GMO
• Made from organically grown hemp
• Veterinarian-approved

Cons:

• Average strength

HolistaPet CBD Oil for Cats

HolistaPet has formulated CBD Oil for Cats to support the health and wellness of your feline. Made with broad-spectrum hemp extract and hemp seed oil, it is rich in terpenes and secondary cannabinoids. Regular administration will help your pet with mobility issues, reduce anxiety, balance mood, support the immune system, improve appetite, and calm the nerves of an aggressive cat. The product contains 300 mg per 0.5 fl. oz. bottle. The amber glass prevents sensitive oil components from degrading in light, while a built-in dropper makes dosing a breeze. The oil is available in other sizes and potencies.

 

HolistaPet CBD Oil for Cats $29.95 Visit official website

Pros:

• Made from U.S.-grown hemp
• THC-free
• 100% natural ingredients
• Includes a helpful dosage chart for beginning, regular, and strong dosing

Cons:

• Some pets may not like the original flavor

Conclusion

Cannabidiol is a relatively new approach to calm aggressive cat behavior and reduce anxiety^[4]. However, this compound is becoming more popular in solving behavioral problems and other medical conditions in pets^[5]. It may be one of the easiest solutions to make your feline calmer, healthier, happier, and friendlier.

The product selection is diverse, but not all CBD oils for cats' aggression are created equal. Opt for natural and high-quality CBD products from trusted brands. Consult your veterinarian to determine the proper dosage to help your furry family members enjoy a better quality of life, no matter their age.

Sources

1. Isabella Corsato Alvarenga, Kiran S. Panickar, Hannah Hess, and Stephanie McGrath (2023) Scientific validation of cannabidiol for management of dog and cat diseases. Annual Review of Animal Bioscience. Available at: https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-animal-081122-070236.

2. Robert J. Silver (2019) The endocannabinoid system of animals. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/9/9/686/.

3. Justyna E Kulpa, Lina J Paulionis, Graham Ml Eglit, Dana M Vaughn (2021) Safety and tolerability of escalating cannabinoid doses in healthy cats. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33769105/.

4. Cindy H J Yu, H P Vasantha Rupasinghe (2021) Cannabidiol-based natural health products for companion animals: Recent advances in the management of anxiety, pain, and inflammation. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34391060/.

5. Giorgia della Rocca, Alessandra Di Salvo (2020) Hemp in veterinary medicine: From feed to drug. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.00387/full.