We put together a quick guide to help you out. Keep reading to learn 7 tips you need to know about CBD treats for cats.
1. Look at the Ingredients List
You glance at the ingredients when you buy groceries. But, did you know that you should check for the ingredients in your CBD cat treats?
While some human foods are cat-safe foods, others can harm your feline friend! Do your research and make sure none of the ingredients in your cat’s treats could make them sick.
Two things to watch out for in your CBD treats are wheat flour and sugar. These things make most pets sick and have no real benefits other than acting as a cheap filler in the treat.
2. Check for THC Content
THC is a cannabinoid that is like CBD in some ways, but different in others. The biggest difference is that THC gives you a psychoactive effect or the “stoned” feeling.
While many humans love the psychoactive effects of THC, it’s not so fun for your cat. Some of the effects your cat could have when they ingest THC include increased anxiety, disorientation, and lethargy.
It’s crucial to make sure that the treats you’re buying say that they’re 100% CBD and no traces of THC at all. If you’re at all unsure about this, don’t buy the treats!
3. Terpenes Matter in CBD Treats for Cats
Terpenes are chemical compounds that give cannabis and other plants their aromatic smell and taste. Not only do terpenes give cannabis its flavor, but they also interact with the THC and magnify certain beneficial effects. For instance, products with high levels of myrcene tend to promote relaxation.
The problem is that most of the terpenes get removed during the extraction process, leaving only the CBD behind. It takes an extra step to reintroduce some of those terpenes back into the CBD used for the treats. This increases the cost to produce and the end price that you pay as well.
If you can find a CBD treat that has cannabis-derived terpenes, those products will work the best for your pet.
4. Look at the Dosage
Too much of a good thing can turn bad in the blink of an eye. The same rule applies to giving your cats CBD treats.
If you give your cat too much CBD, you could see them stumble around, get lethargic, or become uncoordinated. Don’t mistake this for silly and cute behaviors because it means you have overdosed your cat.
The good news is that you have to go way over the recommended dose of CBD to do any real damage. Most cats sleep off their intoxication over the next hour or two.
For a ten-pound cat, start with a 1mg dose and wait for an hour or so. If you don’t see enough effects, you may give an extra 1-2 mg. For a ten-pound cat, a 5 mg dose is a strong dose for your cat.
5. Know How They Make the CBD Treat
Different manufactures use different methods to extract THC and CBD from cannabis plants. Some methods cost more for the manufacturing company but give safer and more beneficial results.
If the CBD comes from an extraction method that uses chemicals like butane, steer clear of those treats! If there are traces of those chemicals in the treats still, they’ll hurt your cat.
The best extraction method uses CO2 to extract cannabinoids. Not only does this give you a clean extraction, but you can also capture more of the cannabis-derived terpenes!
6. Shop With a Trusted Retailer
The FDA doesn’t regulate supplements for humans or pets. If you get your treats from a shady source, you can’t trust that those treats won’t hurt your pet.
Look for a company that has some longevity and a good track record of satisfied customers. If many other people attest to the quality of the products, you can trust the CBD treats from that company.
7. Check the Expiration Date on CBD Cat Treats
Even the best quality treats can make your pet sick if they’re out of date. Most manufacturers put this date somewhere on the outside of the packaging.
Make sure to check for the expiration date before you buy the treats. If you’re ordering online, check the date as soon as you get the package and call right away if you received expired products.
Cats Were Once Worshipped as Gods… and They Remember That!
Back in ancient times, in grand civilizations like Egypt, people worshipped cats as gods. People doted on their cats and even mummified them when they died.
The way cats act today seems to show that they remember the way their owners treated them in ancient times! That could explain why we do everything we can to give our cats the best life possible.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and that you learned a few things about choosing CBD treats for cats. If you have any questions about this article, or if you’re looking for top quality pet treats, contact us today!
