Cat anxiety is a severe problem that should not be left untreated. A cat may experience anxiety due to various reasons like illness, pain, an infectious disease that affects its nervous system, and exposure to something toxic. History of abuse or neglect, lack of proper socialization, or a traumatic experience can also trigger anxiety in cats.
Veterinary experts recommend CBD for cats anxiety and treating other conditions. To understand how CBD helps manage anxiety in cats, you need to have detailed information about its composition and how it works in your cat’s body.
What is CBD?
CBD is one of the most researched biological elements of the Cannabis Sativa plant. It is also known as Cannabidiol. The Cannabis Sativa plant contains around 540 chemical compounds, including CBD and THC, which attach to special cannabinoid receptors in the brain. THC is related to the famous “high feeling,” but CBD does not get your cat high.
What Does Research Say?
Research suggests Cannabidiol has a potent pharmacological effect. Many veterinarians recommend CBD for cats anxiety as it has several beneficial anti-inflammatory properties that block specific enzymes that trigger inflammation in a cat’s body.
The research mentions CBD interacts with the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor, CB1R (cannabinoid type 1 receptor), and other receptors in the cat’s brain that regulate anxiety and fear-induced behavior in animals.
CBD reviewers have several preclinical and clinical evidence of its effectiveness in treating various anti-anxiety disorders.
Understanding Anxiety in Cat
Anxiety and fear are adaptive responses in humans and animals. It helps living beings cope with the threat to survival. Cats experience anxiety when they anticipate danger from known or unknown origins.
In other words, a cat experiencing anxiety is afraid and chronically stressed for no reason. An aging brain can cause anxiety, especially in senior cats experiencing dementia and memory problems.
Joint pain can also cause anxiety in senior cats, and they might demonstrate behavior like failing to use the litter box or hiding. Another potential cause of anxiety in a cat could be new or moved furniture. A new home, new pet, or the arrival of a new baby can also cause anxiety in cats.
How Does CBD Treats Anxiety in Cats?
Clinical studies show CBD has a wide range of psychotic properties like antioxidant, antiarthritic, antineoplastic, analgesic, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiemetic, neuroprotective, and antipsychotic properties.
Studies indicate CBD might also help in regulating a wide range of receptors and enzymes related to anxiety. It could directly or indirectly affect glycine receptors, the adenosine transporter, the equilibrative nucleoside transporter, the orphan G-protein-coupled receptor 55, the peroxisome proliferator-activated, and additional TRP channels.
The ECB (Endocannabinoid) system influences diverse physiological functions, including the regulation of emotional behavior. The Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 activation may reduce fear expression, prevent fear consolidation, and enhance fear extinction. Studies indicate CBD may directly or indirectly affect Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1, which helps treat anxiety in cats.
There is enough preclinical and clinical evidence that CBD effectively treats post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.
Proper Way of Treating Anxiety in Cats
There is no doubt your cat suffering from anxiety disorder can benefit from the use of CBD. However, you need to consult your veterinarian before introducing CBD in any form to your pet. The veterinarian will study the severity of the anxiety symptoms in your cat and recommend the correct dosage.
For optimal results, you need to follow your veterinary doctor’s dosage instructions when giving your CBD to your cat. You need to purchase high-quality CBD products that guarantee purity, safety, and quality.
To sum up, CBD can be safely used to treat your cat’s anxiety disorder. Anxiety can cause stress and have ill effects on your cat’s health. Hence, you need to take immediate steps when you notice any anxiety symptoms in your cat and talk to the vet about introducing CBD to treat anxiety.