CBD for Cats Travel Guide

CBD for Cats During Travel

Posted by Lianne McLeod D.V.M. on

CBD for Cats Travel Guide

As a pet owner, it is always a joy having your pet come along with you during your holiday travel. You might be hitting the road for a family vacation, annual camping trip, special events, or taking a break to explore new environments.

To ensure the success of your trip, you need to know how to travel safely and comfortably with your pet. Things to know may include the necessary documentation to take your cat on a plane. It would help if you also considered how to calm and relax your pet on the plane or during the road trip.

Lola Hemp Logo This best-selling CBD oil has helped thousands of cats improve their daily health & sense of calm.

CBD oil for cats can be a valuable resource when planning your trip. Using a proper CBD routine can keep your cat calm, collected, and comfortable both while traveling and when staying in a new place. Here are our tips on how you can use CBD for cats to ensure that your trip goes smoothly. We’ll also discuss other traveling tips to ensure the success of your vacation.

Cat Sitting in Car

How Can I Use CBD Oil for Cats Travel?

While traveling with kitties can be more challenging than traveling with dogs, it’s possible. It’s important to keep a normal schedule and limit disruptions as possible as you can since cats aren’t the most cooperative when it comes to disruption and change. As humans, however, we need to travel every now and then. Here's how you can use CBD oil for cats travel:

  • Begin by notifying your vet before purchasing a CBD product

  • Use the dosage guidelines on the product

  • Select a delivery method (applying topically or placing a treat in your dog's mouth)

  • Observe your pet for any adverse reactions

  • If you notice any effects, notify your veterinarian immediately

When traveling, you must ensure that your pet’s wellness is at its peak before, during, and after the trip. CBD for cats can play a significant role in that due to its calming properties.

To use CBD oil for your traveling cat, you must follow a cat CBD routine as advised by your veterinarian. The dosage, flavor, and delivery method that works may vary in different cats. Your vet can direct you on the proper dose and delivery method for your cat. Let’s learn more about CBD, how it works in cats, what to consider when purchasing a CBD product, and how it can benefit your traveling cat.

 

More About CBD Oil for Cats

What is CBD?

CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive compound derived from the hemp plant. It is known for its holistic benefits on both humans and animals, including pets. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system to provide calming effects and promote overall well-being.

Anecdotal evidence shows that pet parents across the world are turning to CBD to support their cats with issues like hip and joint pain, skin health, seasonal allergies, and restlessness. CBD for cats can be found in full-spectrum hemp extracts. Full-spectrum hemp extracts are derived from the “full” hemp plant, which comprises the flowers, leaves, and stems of the hemp.

Full-spectrum CBD oil from the “full” plant extract contains multiple hemp compounds like terpenes, fatty acids, essential oils, and other cannabinoids. Also, full-spectrum CBD products contain less than 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is the psychoactive compound of the cannabis plant, which can cause a “high” effect. The law directs that all CBD products must have less than 0.3% THC.

How Does CBD Oil Work in Cats?

Just like humans, cats also have an endocannabinoid system. CBD works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system plays an important role in regulating physiological functions like mood, sleep, pain perception, and the immune system’s response.

The endocannabinoid system works with cannabinoids and their receptors to balance body functions. When something goes out of balance, the system releases cannabinoids, which alert cells and attach to their respective receptors. Studies show that as CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, it may help it make better and more efficient use of its cannabinoids.

As a result, using CBD for cats may provide calm and promote the cat’s overall well-being. Its calming properties make it a natural remedy that pet owners can use to support cats with health issues like joint mobility, pain, stress, and anxiety.

How Can CBD Oil Benefit My Traveling Cat?

CBD oil has gained popularity among pet parents due to its potential to support cats with various health issues. Studies suggest that these benefits are possible due to CBD’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system, which regulates multiple systems in the body.

Here are some of the uses for CBD oil for cats:

  • Promoting calm and relaxation

  • Supporting a normal inflammatory response

  • Providing support during occasional discomfort

  • For behavioral problem management

  • Helping cope with external stresses

  • Supporting antioxidant function

  • Promoting overall wellness

Let’s look at each of these uses in more detail:

Promoting calm and relaxation

Our furry friends can experience stress and chronic anxiety due to various factors. These factors include historical trauma, joint pain, illness, and loud noises. CBD may support your cat’s anxiety by promoting a sense of comfort and relaxation.

Also, CBD’s relaxing effects can help cats experiencing sleep disturbances. Its calming effects may help promote better sleep patterns, ensuring that your furry friend gets the rest they need before the road trip.

Supporting a normal inflammatory response

Cats experiencing pain may also present a challenge when planning a trip. Such pain may come as a result of injuries, age-related issues, arthritis, or hip dysplasia. These issues are common, especially for senior pets and are known to cause discomfort.

When your cat is experiencing pain, they may withdraw from their usual family interactions, start hiding, and become less engaged in their new environment. Characteristics of a cat in moderate to severe pain include drooping whiskers, lowered ears, and squinty eyes. CBD may help support a normal inflammatory response, thereby assisting in mobility, pain management, and your pet’s overall quality of life.

Providing support during occasional discomfort

Aside from chronic pain, underlying illnesses may also cause your cat to experience occasional seizures, neurological and digestive disorders, obsessions, and mood changes. CBD’s calming effects may help provide support during such occasional discomfort by providing a calming effect on your cat’s nerves.

For behavioral problem management

Anxious cats may present certain behavioral changes such as increased movement, excessive vocalization, hiding, and destruction. You may also notice that your cat is anxious by observing whether they have increased respiratory and heart rates, salivation, panting, and trembling.

Cats anxiety can be characterized as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), and social anxiety disorder. Using CBD may help your cat maintain a normal and relaxed disposition. Research shows that pets may experience reduced stress or anxiety-related behavior when given CBD before a stressful event.

Helping cope with external stresses

Our furry friends may also experience stress due to various factors when traveling. These factors may include a change in their environment, separation anxiety, loud noises, and introducing new family members (including new furry friends).

CBD’s calming properties may help maintain contentment during travel, separation, motion sickness, and tension caused by changes in your cat’s daily routine.

Supporting antioxidant function

CBD may also support a normal antioxidant function. An antioxidant is a substance that protects the body's cells from damage by free radicals. Free radicals may play a part in heart diseases, cancer, stroke, and other age-related diseases.

Studies show that CBD oil supports the action of antioxidant enzymes by preventing a decline in the levels of microelements like Zinc (Zn) and Tin (Sn). These elements are lowered when the body experiences pathological conditions. However, they are necessary for the biological activity of proteins and enzymes. As a result, CBD may also play an important role in ensuring overall wellness.

Promoting overall wellness

Through its support for calmness, relaxation, and normal bodily functions, CBD promotes your pet’s overall wellness. The interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system also helps your cat maintain balance (homeostasis) across various bodily systems.

Cat sitting in the car - when is CBD the right choice

What to Consider When Purchasing a CBD Product

There are several factors you should consider when it comes to supporting your cat with CBD oil. It’s not just about the dosage, but also selecting the right product that your cat will want to take.

When selecting a CBD product, you must consider the dosage, your cat’s taste preferences, and the company’s credibility. You must also ensure that the product is formulated for pets.

The goal is your cat’s wellness and happiness. Therefore, let’s delve into each of these aspects to ensure that you make an informed decision.

Do I Need Cat-Specific CBD?

You don’t necessarily need to give your cat a CBD product specifically marketed as “CBD for cats”. The CBD molecule is the same regardless of where it appears.

However, using cat-specific CBD offers an advantage as it is thoughtfully formulated to align with your feline friend’s health and taste preferences. Avoid CBD formulated for humans as it may be toxic for your cat and can lead to an upset stomach. Pet-specific CBD products are more appealing and tailored to meet the specific needs of the pet.

Also, cat CBD oil is formulated with the understanding that your kitty requires smaller doses compared to humans or dogs. As a result, this ensures more appropriate and accurate dosing for cats.

Many cat owners appreciate pet CBD oil made for cats since they don’t have to do complicated math to divide the product into quantities that can support their cats. Therefore, selecting cat a CBD product can improve your cat’s CBD experience by offering both customization and convenience.

What Dosage Can I Administer?

Determining the appropriate dosage for cats is important for your pet’s health and to ease the serving. Since CBD products come in different strengths, trying to portion a product formulated for a 150-pound dog for your 8-pound cat can be difficult.

You need to estimate how much CBD your kitty needs to pick a CBD product containing the right amount of CBD dosage. Seek your vet’s advice on this. However, the average dose recommendation for a 10-pound cat is 1 mg for a low dose, 3 mg for a medium dose, and 5 mg for a strong dose.

You can start with a low dose and gradually increase it over time. Select CBD products that clearly show how many milligrams of CBD are in the package.

About Your Cat’s Taste Preferences

Since cats have discerning palates, considering taste is important when selecting a CBD product. Some cats are more receptive to certain flavors, including fish-flavored CBD oils, and can be sensitive to bitter tastes.

Also, cats don’t like a sudden change in their routine or diet. If your kitty is picky, add a little CBD oil to their regular food and gradually work up to the desired dose in several days.

You can also use CBD oils with fish oil or other animal products topically if you find it difficult to give your cats CBD treats.

Company Credibility When Purchasing a CBD Product

When purchasing a CBD product for your cat, it’s important to seriously vet the company. Cat CBD products are not regulated with the same intensity as other products like pet foods. Therefore, it’s important to look for companies that prioritize quality and transparency. Consider factors like ingredients used, pet-first mindset, third-party laboratory testing, and customer reviews.

Cat Hiding in Seat of Car - Using CBD

Using Full-Spectrum CBD Oil for Travelling Cats

CBD oil’s calming effects can help support your cat during your planned travels. Long-distance travel means hours in a plane or car, which can be stressful for many cats. Even the most well-traveled and relaxed pet can feel anxious. Therefore, keeping your kitties calm can be the difference between a trip filled with whining, motion sickness, or cries and one that is fun, relaxed, and chill for the whole family.

That’s where full-spectrum CBD oil comes in. Its interaction with your pet’s endocannabinoid system to promote balance and calm makes it ideal for cats with issues like stress, anxiety, discomfort, and digestive stress.

We recommend giving CBD oil around half an hour before starting the trip. Also, add more doses every 4 to 8 hours into the trip since some cats may require more frequent administration. Before settling on a certain CBD regimen, ensure that you consult your veterinarian for proper dosage guidelines in case your pet is on other medications.

Your cat might need to take bathroom breaks before getting to your final destination. Therefore, you need to carry a small litter pan. You can also carry a litter box and ensure that they have access to it whenever they need to relieve themselves. You might also need to carry a leash to prevent your cat from getting lost.

More Traveling Tips to Ensure a Fun Trip While Supporting Your Pet’s Wellness

Whenever you’re planning to travel with your cat, remember to:

  • Consult your vet about your travel plans

  • Keep identification on your pet at all times

Let’s discuss each of these tips:

Consult Your Vet About Travel Plans

Before embarking on any air travel or road trips, ensure that your vet gives your cat a health checkup. Your veterinarian will advise on whether your pet is fit to travel. If needed, they can give sedatives or other medications.

Keep Identification on Your Pet at All Times

Remember to carry all proper pet identification and keep it on your pet at all times. If your pet is microchipped, using a well-fitted collar with up-to-date contact information can work. Such information can help if your pet gets lost while traveling to unfamiliar places.

Kitty in the car - final thoughts on using CBD

Traveling Won’t Be Easy, But Hemp Oil Can Help

While leaving your pet behind can be sad, traveling with your pet won’t be easy either. However, using CBD oil can help your cat stay calm and relaxed, ensuring that your they are comfortable when traveling. Using CBD oil or hemp oil infused with CBD ensures that your pet benefits from CBD’s calming properties without risking exposure to THC.

You May Also Be Interested in:

  • Pet CBD Near Me: Finding high-quality CBD oil for pets can be a challenge. This easy guide helps you locate the options that will best serve your pets with reviews for joint pain, anxiety, arthritis, and other issues.
  • How Long Does CBD Last in a Dog: How long does it take for CBD oil to kick in for a dog? This article will walk you through everything you need to know.
  • Hemp Balm for Dogs: CBD dog balm is an option for pet owners whose dogs have dry and itchy skin. Learn everything there is to know about CBD balm for dogs in this article.
  • CBD and Gabapentin for Dogs: This article covers the combination of CBD and gabapentin for dogs and any safety concerns associated with it.
  • Dog Paw Allergy Home Remedy: This article discusses dog paw allergy home remedy options that could finally help with paw relief for dogs.

References:

  1. Learn more about antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of Cannabidiol (CBD).

  2. Learn more about Cannabidiol for management of dog and cat diseases.

  3. Learn more about Full-Spectrum Hemp Extracts and CBD Isolates.

  4. Learn more about the Endocannabinoid control of stress with Cannabidiol.

  5. Learn more about THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) concentrations found in commercially available CBD products.

  6. Learn more about the Endocannabinoid System.

  7. Learn more about the cannabidiol-based natural health products for companion animals for the management of anxiety, pain, and inflammation.

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AUTHOR

Lianne McLeod, DVM, is a former writer for The Spruce Pets, contributing articles for 11 years. Before Dr. McLeod began writing about pet care, she worked several years in small animal practice. She has written extensively about the care and keeping of exotic pets and pet health care. She now researches water quality and chronic disease at the University of Saskatchewan. Lianne McLeod earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. She also received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Simon Fraser University. She continued her education and received a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the University of Saskatchewan. Now, she splits her time between her family, research and writing about pet health for all the animal lovers out there.


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