Marijuana for Cats: What you need to know
If you’ve ever thought about finding alternative medicinal products for your cats, you may have considered marijuana.
As we are seeing an increased acceptance and legalization of marijuana, we are beginning to wonder how marijuana consumption can affect our pets.
If you belong to one of the 35% (and counting) American households that own a cat you are probably thinking about the relationship between marijuana and cats.
Whether you smoke marijuana around your cat or are wondering about marijuana consumption for cats, we have the information for you.
So before you consume marijuana around your cat or give it marijuana products, make sure you know the following:
1. Catnip vs Marijuana
Many people think that marijuana is another form of catnip. That makes people think it’s not so bad – as cats love catnip!
But these two plants couldn’t be more different. Catnip comes from the Mint family. It has a pervasive smell which is what attracts the cats to it. When they smell the catnip, cats can become hyperactive. When consumed, it can make them feel sleepy.
Marijuana comes from the Cannabis Sativa plant. The Cannabis plant, of course, does create an altered state of mind known as euphoria or “the high.” This euphoria is caused by Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in the plant.
While there is more research on the health benefits of marijuana for humans, there is not much research on the effect on cats.
At the moment, it is suggested that cats stay away from smoke emitted from marijuana consumption.
2. What Can Happen
So what can happen if your cat does get intoxicated by marijuana?
Studies have shown that cats can suffer when ingesting THC. And unfortunately, this usually does not happen because the cat is directly consuming marijuana. This can happen from “indirect consumption” such as secondhand smoke.
Ideally, you want to make sure your cat is kept away from marijuana products – whether it is through smoking or consuming edibles.
What can happen to the cat depends on the type of product they consume – directly or indirectly.
If a cat were to eat a marijuana plant, they will probably show mild symptoms and not feel the euphoria to a great extent. Marijuana plants do not have their THC “activated.” When the plants are decarboxylated (which is a manual process), they are heated to activate the THC content.
The lack of activation of the THC is not very harmful to the cat. The real harm comes from when a cat consumes another marijuana product. This can include an edible or an oil. These are also the marijuana products that are most appealing to a cat – so you will want to keep it out of their sight.
3. What Does it Look Like?
We get it – accidents can happen and you won’t always know if your cat has consumed a marijuana product.
If your cat has consumed a marijuana product, they may showcase the following symptoms:
Intoxication: if you notice your cat sauntering about awkwardly, this is a possible sign of intoxication.
Depression/apathy: if your cat is even more distant than normal, it may be feeling depression or apathy – which is a common symptom after marijuana consumption.
If they showcase regular signs of depression and apathy, this may alternate with agitation and anxiety.
Agitation can also lead to seizures which are very serious! If you notice your cat shaking uncontrollably and violently, it is likely to have a seizure.
Other serious symptoms can include vomiting, a slower heart rate, lower body temperature, and even a coma.
As cats are more independent creatures, you may not always notice these symptoms. But if you know your cat has been around or directly consumed marijuana, keep an eye out for possible symptoms.
4. What to Do
At the first sign of intoxication in your cat (after consuming marijuana) you should immediately take them to a vet.
Usually, the vet will make the cat absorb charcoal which will absorb portions of the THC content. The best option is to make sure your cat gets an abundance of sleep. This is the only way to shake off the effects of marijuana consumption.
But if you see your cat expressing any of the aforementioned symptoms, it is best to have it supervised by a vet.
As marijuana consumption is not legal in every jurisdiction, many owners may dismiss taking their cat to the vet. However, most vets stress that their concern is to care for the cat and not report the owner to the police.
5. Are There Benefits?
As of now, there are no confirmed benefits for cats who consume marijuana. However, there have been studies conducted on how marijuana products can ail humans and animals.
Cannabis is known to help fight anxiety. Studies on how cannabis fights anxiety are among the most popular marijuana-related studies. Cannabidiol is known to have a calming effect on both humans and animals. You can ask your vet if CBD oil can work for your cat.
CBD is also known to alleviate pain in humans and animals. It can help with a variety of ailments, ranging from chronic pain to extreme arthritis.
If your cat has lost its appetite or has been feeling nauseous, CBD has been used to treat this.
And as we mentioned, consumption of marijuana can lead to seizures in cats. However, CBD has been tested on animals and has shown to reduce the likelihood of seizures. Many cat owners are finding that CBD works well for their cats.
As always, you should consult with your vet first to get an opinion on whether CBD will help your cat and what product to purchase if it does.
Your Cat's Wellbeing
Ultimately, the relationship between marijuana and cats should be aimed at the cat’s wellbeing. You now know that cats and weed may not work together, but CBD can, in fact, help ail any of the symptoms your cat is experiencing.
Be sure to check out our catalog of CBD products for your cat!
