Cats can suffer from anxiety and stress just like humans do, and unfortunately, their symptoms can be very similar to their human counterparts. If you’ve noticed your cat is acting out of the ordinary, like pacing in circles or excessively grooming itself, it might be suffering from anxiety.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways such, as CBD for cat anxiety, to help reduce your cat’s stress that aren’t too expensive or difficult to implement. Here are some basic but effective steps you can take to help your cat relax and cope up with anxiety.
Leave Them Alone
When you interact with your pet in a stressful situation, it only makes things worse, even if you’re trying to help. When they’re dealing with anxiety, cats may often retreat and hide under furniture or bite at their owners’ hands to fend off contact. Letting them come to you when they’re ready is vital.
Introduce Changes Slowly
In case your cat is reacting adversely to the introduction of another pet in the house, it is crucial to take the matter seriously. Introducing new pets is a slow process involving keeping both pets separated for a few days and gradually increasing their proximity.
Remember that not all cats like being around other cats, so don’t push them too hard to meet. Just because you want to bring home a feline friend may not mean your cat would easily adjust with them. Some cats prefer living with humans only, so if your cat shows signs of distress when you bring another pet into its space, back off.
Calm Them With CBD Oil
CBD oil is derived from a plant in the cannabis family and can help relieve stress by regulating homeostasis, which can help maintain balance in the internal environment in your cat’s body. Introduce CBD to your feline friend through regular feeding for best results.
You’ll want to introduce it slowly, in any case. You can start with a minimal dosage of one drop per day and work your way up after observing its effects. If you notice any adverse reactions (e.g., lack of appetite or lethargy), stop using CBD immediately and consult a veterinarian.
More Benefits of CBD for Cats
- It has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help relieve arthritis symptoms and joint stiffness.
- CBD for cat with anxiety helps with epilepsy symptoms such as seizures and muscle spasms by decreasing excitability and reducing the frequency of epileptic episodes.
- It may also improve cognitive function by increasing blood flow to the brain, enhancing memory formation and focus while reducing anxiety.
Provide Plenty of Mental Stimulation
Additionally, an anxious cat can benefit from your undivided attention. You can also try giving them something to focus on, such as a toy or their favorite treat. This may help distract them from whatever makes them nervous and relieve some of their stress.
It would help if you also left toys around to play with whenever they like. Cats need plenty of mental stimulation, just like dogs. The activity will give your cat something to do while you’re not at home, too.
Get Plenty Of Exercise Each Day
Playing with your cat every day is an easy way to help her get plenty of exercise and socialization. Playtime helps improve your cat’s overall health, burn calories, release pent-up energy and decrease anxiety. Games like hide-and-seek can also teach them to problem solve when they are home alone.
Summing Up
Though you may never truly understand what’s troubling your cat, you can learn to identify anxiety in your feline friend better and work with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist to devise a treatment plan that works for both of you. You can also consider using the aforementioned tips to help your cat manage during a stressful episode.
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