angry aggressive cat hissingIn a word - cats have a BIG personality. And that goes for telling you their likes and dislikes. CBD has recently emerged as a go-to for cat owners looking to help relieve various ailments - including anger and aggression.

If you’re struggling to tame your lion (err cat), this article is for you! 

In this post, we’ll explore all the ways CBD helps control your cat’s aggression, dosage tips, and other remedies for relieving aggressive behavior.

What Are the Warning Signs of an Aggressive Cat?

Cats can modulate between feral and tame. Laymen’s terms, they can modulate between house pet and wild animal. Many cat owners know this and feel they’re there to service their cats’ needs. And why wouldn’t we? Cats are wonderful companions!

Sometimes, they can display aggressive behavior when things don’t go their way. If they’re sick, they may struggle to communicate their pain effectively. Out of frustration, aggressive behavior in cats is likely. Another reason is when you introduce a new pet into the home or take them to the vet.

According to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), cat generally displays the following three types of postures when agitated.

1. Overt Aggression

Overt aggression usually takes place between unneutered males. Common warning signs include:

  • Lashing out with paws
  • Growl or hiss
  • Biting and scratching
  • Exposing teeth and claws

2. Defensive Behavior

Cat laying down on his backDefensive behavior occurs when cats feel threatened or afraid, such as at the veterinarian. Postures include the following:

  • Ears very flat and pointed to the side
  • Dilated pupils
  • Tail tucked in
  • Crouched head
  • Retracted whiskers

3. Offensive Body Language

Offensive body posturing occurs when cats feel emboldened to go on the attack, such as when they are hunting. Some examples include:

  • Yowling or howling out
  • Upright and stiff legs
  • Raised rear end
  • A focused, direct stare
  • Ears erect and tilted forward
  • Fur on tail raised out

How CBD Oil Helps Control Aggressive Cat Behavior

Eden's Herbals CBD oil for catsCBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of over 100 compounds in the cannabis plant. The two compounds most responsible for beneficial health are CBD and THC. The benefit of CBD is that it won’t make you high. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that CBD is safe and well-tolerated. 

CBD has been shown to help with many health issues in both dogs and cats, as well as us humans. CBD tinctures or treats has shown to have many health benefits as well as calming effects.

CBD works by interacting with your cat’s ECS, or Endocannabinoid System. All mammals - cats, dogs, and humans alike have an ECS. When CBD is ingested, it works by sending signals through cannabinoid receptors known as CB1 and CB2 to your cat’s brain. 

Once your cat’s ECS identifies the CB receptors, various therapeutic benefits, including controlling aggressive behavior, are thought to take place. Because CBD is still relatively new on the market, with legalization taking place in 2018 with the passing of The Farm Bill Act, research is still limited. 

Most studies done have been on humans and lab mice. But because all mammals have an ECS, we can still learn quite a bit about how CBD interacts with your cat to help control aggression, including the following studies.

1. CBD May Help Anxiety-Related Aggression

Your cat may get nervous for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Neighborhood stray cat walking by the window.
  • Redirected anger towards you.
  • May urinate outside of the litter box.
  • If left home alone, they may act out.

Cat sitting in road looking at camera with sunset behind himCBD has been shown to help a variety of anxiety-related symptoms effectively. In one study, researchers determined that CBD helped with several forms of anxiety, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Furthermore, the study showed CBD displayed both neuroprotective and antipsychotic properties.

2. CBD Oil May Relieve Pain for Stressed Out Cats

If your cat is in pain, it most likely will act out in ways to try and communicate its needs to you - including aggressive behavior. If you or a loved one has suffered chronic pain, you know how grumpy it can make you.

Fortunately, CBD has been studied for its potential to relieve pain and inflammation. In a study on test rodents, scientists determined that CBD effectively helps relieve painful symptoms associated with osteoarthritis. 

3. CBD Oil May Ease Depression

CBD has been shown to display feelings of calmness and may relieve depression. In 2019, researchers looking for ways to treat depression with non-psychoactive cannabis found that CBD displayed an antidepressant effect on animal models.

4. CBD May Help Insomnia 

CBD may also be beneficial for pet owners in helping their cat get a good night’s sleep - which could improve their mood. A study published in 2017 by The National Library of Medicine found that cannabidiol may help with REM sleep behavior disorder. Even though the results of the findings were mixed, researchers determined CBD may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of insomnia.

How Long Does CBD Oil for Cats Take to Work?

Cat sitting on deck hissing aggressivelyCBD oil is one of the fastest ways to administer relief to your cat. That’s because it works sublingually, bypassing your cat’s digestive system and metabolizing first in their liver before moving on to the ECS system. 

CBD oil for cats generally takes around 30 minutes to kick in. That’s based on a few factors, including their weight and dosage.

For best results, follow the dosage guidelines. For example, most house cats will weigh around 10 pounds. Based on that, you should consider starting with ½ mL of CBD oil daily. See how their behavior changes and adjust accordingly.

Place the drops under their tongue, if possible. While some cats will like the earthy flavor of CBD, some may struggle to keep it down. If that’s the case, consider adding a few drops of CBD oil to their favorite treat and giving it to them as a reward.

Summing Up

If your cat feels threatened or is in pain, it will likely try and tell you with aggressive behavior. Using gentle and reassuring feedback can go a long way in minimizing their aggression. But sometimes, that’s not enough.

If you want to relieve your cat’s aggression, consider choosing CBD specially formulated for felines. Eden’s Herbals, for example, offers CBD Oil for Cats, which is made specifically for your furry feline. Lab-tested for purity, our CBD Cat Oil Tincture includes the following:

  • 150mg CBD Isolate.
  • 30 ml CBD Oil per bottle.
  • MCT Oil (Keto-friendly Coconut Oil).
  • CO2 Extracted (Free from harmful solvents).
  • Sourced from organic hemp.

If you want to learn more about CBD for cat aggression, contact Eden’s Herbals at [email protected] today!

*These statements have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any illness. Medical advice should be taken from a medical professional.

The articles on this site are written by 3rd party content providers, expert bloggers, or doctors not directly affiliated with Eden’s Herbals.

Individuals should learn the risks and side effects before taking CBD. Make sure to always check with a medical professional before starting any new CBD treatment or medication that is not FDA-approved.