CBD, or cannabidiol, is an increasingly popular way of treating pain and anxiety, and humans aren’t the only ones who can benefit from it. CBD for pets has gained popularity in recent years, in large part thanks to its calming properties. In fact, surveys have found that as many as half of U.S. pet parents give their dog or cat some form of CBD. 

If you’re looking for a product to help ease your cat’s anxiety, stress, or even joint pain, we have you covered. Here’s what you need to know about CBD treats for cats, as well as the best CBD cat treats and chews out there.

Our Top CBD Cat Treats and Chews

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6 Best CBD Cat Treats and Chews 

Overall Best CBD Treats for Cats

Our Pick: Medterra CBD Calming Pet Chews

Medterra Pets CBD
Buy at Medterra

It’s hard to beat the high potency and appealing taste of the Medterra CBD Calming Pet Chews. They are one of the best CBD treats for cats. Designed for cats and dogs, these chews are available in bacon-flavored strips, each containing 10mg of CBD. They’re also formulated with valerian root and L-Tryptophan, which both have calming effects on your pet. The USA-made product has been third-party lab tested, and the brand is even certified by the U.S. Hemp Authority, which upholds strict regulatory standards for CBD products — so you know you’re getting only the best product for your cat! 

Pros

  • 10mg of CBD per chew
  • Suitable for both cats and dogs 
  • Appealing bacon flavor
  • Contains valerian root and L-Tryptophan for calming effects
  • These CBD cat calming cat treats are third-party tested
  • Certified by the U.S. Hemp Authority 

Cons 

  • Strips may need to be broken into pieces for smaller cats
  • Senior cats may have trouble chewing

Best CBD Chews for Cats

Our Pick: Honest Paws Calm CBD Soft Chews for Cats

CBD chews for cats
Buy at Honest Paws

Even picky cats will gobble up the Honest Paws Calm CBD Cat Chews, which have a tasty chicken flavor. These soft chews are a CBC cat treat that comes in a pack of approximately 60. Each container has tains 2mg of organic, full-spectrum hemp oil, as well as chamomile flower powder and passion flower to help support relaxation and lessen stress. They’re also third-party lab tested and contain only non-GMO ingredients and no artificial flavors.

Pros

  • 2mg of organic, full-spectrum CBD per treat
  • Promote calmness, behavioral problem management, and healthy brain function
  • Chicken flavor
  • Soft consistency 
  • Third-party tested
  • Non-GMO; no artificial flavors

Cons

  • Some pet parents said they had to crumble these CBD cat treats into their cat’s food 

Best All-Natural CBD Cat Treats

Our Pick: Pet Hemp Company CBD Cat Treats

Pet Hemp Company CBD Cat Treats
Buy at Pet Hemp Company

The Pet Hemp Company CBD Cat Treats contain all-natural ingredients, including salmon, chicken, potato starch, peas, and brewer’s dried yeast. They contain 2mg of full-spectrum CBD per piece and are free of animal by-products, meals, corn, wheat, dairy, and artificial preservatives. Your cat is sure to love the salmon flavor and crunchy texture of the treats, which have been lab tested for accuracy and potency. Because they don’t contain preservatives, the brand recommends storing them in the fridge to keep them fresh and using them within six months. 

Pros 

  • 2mg of full-spectrum CBD per treat
  • Salmon-flavored crunchy treats
  • 100% natural ingredients
  • No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
  • Third-party tested

Cons 

  • Brand recommends storing treats in the refrigerator 
  • Use within six months 

Best CBD Cat Calming Treats for Anxiety

Our Pick: Holistapet CBD Calming Chews For Cats

Holistapet CBD Calming Chews For Cats
Buy at Holistapet

If you’re looking for a CBD cat treat to help your pet’s anxiety, the Holistapet CBD Calming Chews are a top choice. These salmon-flavored CBD calming treats for cats are chewable and come in a pack of 75. In addition to 2mg of broad-spectrum CBD, each contains valerian root and L-Tryptophan to further support calmness. They’re also third-party lab tested for quality and effectiveness. 

Pros 

  • 2mg of broad-spectrum CBD per treat 
  • Salmon flavor
  • Soft texture
  • Contain valerian root and L-Tryptophan for stress and anxiety relief
  • Third-party tested

Cons 

  • Dense consistency can be hard to break

Best Affordable CBD Cat Treat

Our Pick: Suzie’s CBD Bites for Cats

Suzies CBD treats for cats
Buy at Suzie’s CBD Treats

Some CBD treats for cats can be quite pricey, so if you’re looking for an affordable alternative, consider Suzie’s CBD Bites. Available in packs of 80, the bites contain 0.5mg of certified organic CBD each. The crumbly consistency allows you to easily mix them into your cat’s food, if needed, but most cats like the tuna and chicken flavor and don’t need any convincing to scarf down their daily dose. Keep in mind that because these treats have a lower potency than many others, you may have to give your pet multiple treats to see the same effects. 

Pros 

  • Affordable price 
  • 0.5mg of CBD per treat
  • Tuna and chicken flavor 
  • Easy to crumble for use as a food topper
  • USDA-certified organic CBD

Cons

  • Lower potency than most other CBD treats 

Best CBD Treat for Senior Cats

Our Pick: Treatibles Soft CBD Chewables

Treatibles Soft chewables for cats
Buy at Treatibles

Thanks to their soft consistency that’s gentle on teeth, these chews are easier for older cats to eat. Each contains 1.5mg of CBD, and they’re flavored with pork and salmon for a delicious surf and turf treat. Plus, active ingredients like catnip leaf powder, turmeric, papain, and bromelain may help improve the health of your kitty, and they even have the NASC quality seal, which means the manufacturer adheres to strict quality and testing guidelines. 

Pros

  • 1.5mg of CBD per chew
  • Flavored with pork and salmon
  • Formulated with catnip leaf powder, turmeric, papain, and bromelain
  • Support calmness, gut health, joints and flexibility, immune system, and skin health
  • Soft texture is easy to chew. 
  • Contain no heavy metals, pesticides, or biocontaminants
  • NASC quality seal
  • Can purchase by the case

Cons

  • Larger cats may need up up 10 chews 

Why Consider CBD Cat Treats and Chews?

There has been an increase in the popularity of CBD for both cats and dogs over the past several years, and while these products are most commonly used to treat stress or anxiety, there are a range of potential uses for CBD in pets. “Suggested uses of CBD in pets include certain types of pain management, reduction of anxiety, and possibly seizure control or reduction of nausea, particularly during chemotherapy,” explains Dr. Gabrielle Fadl, director of primary care for Bond Vet. 

However, it’s important to note that there’s limited scientific proof that CBD is effective for these conditions: “Unfortunately, none of these benefits have been proven yet,” Dr. Fadl explains. “Scientific studies are only just beginning, without enough to clearly show a benefit yet. Many practitioners believe CBD may hold some promise for veterinary treatments in the future, but for now, much of the information is anecdotal and/or extrapolated from the uses of CBD in humans, rather than dogs or cats.”

If you do choose to give your cat CBD, treats and chews are often easier to administer than oils. Most treats have a clear amount of CBD per piece, making them simple to dose. They also generally have a taste that appeals to cats, saving you from having to mix an oil into their food. CBD cat treats can typically be given up to twice a day as needed, but it’s important to follow the specific dosage guidelines suggested by the manufacturer. Since CBD cat food is not an option, cat treats and chews are a very popular option for cat parents.

Cat anxiety can be caused by many things – from separation anxiety to pain or illness, changes in her environment, aging effects, or a traumatic event.

How We Chose Our CBD Calming Treats For Cats

cat sits pretty on floor

Here are the main factors we considered when selecting our best cat CBD treats and chews.

Testing/certification. We looked at the testing and certification processes for each pick to ensure that they’re all manufactured at a high quality.

Ingredients. In addition to CBD, we considered the ingredients in the formulas, noting those that can help with things like anxiety or other conditions. 

Ratings/reviews. Since it’s always helpful to have input from others, we checked out reviews to see what they liked (or didn’t like) about the selections on our list.

Calming Cat Treats and Chews: CBD Buyer’s Guide

Not sure where to start when shopping for CBD treats for your cat? Here are some of the most important things to consider as you browse.

Potency. You’ll want to look at how much CBD is in each treat, typically measured in milligrams (mg). Potency can range anywhere from 0.5mg to 10mg or more per treat, and depending on the recommended dosage (which is generally based on weight), you may need to give your cat multiple treats per serving. 

Lab testing. It’s important to look for CBD cat calming treats that have been third-party lab tested and have certificates of authenticity (COA) for you to review. These tests assess the potency, purity, and quality of the CBD in products, which is extremely important since pet supplements are not regulated by the FDA or other government body. 

Texture. Cat CBD treats and chews are available in a variety of textures and flavors, so you should be able to find an option that appeals to your pet. Softer chews are often better for older cats, who may have sensitive teeth, while other cats might prefer crunchy treats. 

Other ingredients. In addition to CBD, many treats contain other ingredients that could have an effect on your cat. Valerian root and L-Tryptophan are two common ingredients that can make your kitty calmer or even sleepy, while some treats may also contain supplementary nutrients. 

Storage requirements. Most CBD treats for cats are shelf-stable, meaning they can be stored at room temperature, but there are some products that need to be kept in the refrigerator. You’ll also want to look at how long the treats last, as CBD products often lose their effectiveness over time. 

Precautions for Cat CBD Treats and Chews

cat rolling on back for CBD cat treat

Before giving your cat a CBD treat or chew, or any calming treats for cats, talk to your veterinarian about their symptoms and any possible medicine interactions. “The potential for medication interactions is there, especially since CBD is largely metabolized by an enzyme through which many other drugs are metabolized,” says Dr. Fadl. “Fortunately, many anecdotal stories haven’t demonstrated interactions to be common.”

Still, she emphasizes, “It’s important to discuss all medications with your veterinarian and closely monitor your pet, especially when they are taking additional sedative or anti-anxiety medications along with CBD. Your vet might recommend more frequent blood work monitoring to ensure there are no effects on the liver or kidneys due to CBD itself or due to changes in the metabolism of other drugs your pet is taking.”

Additionally, according to the packaging for most of the products on our list, CBD has not been proven safe for pregnant animals, so you should never give a pregnant cat CBD treats without first consulting your veterinarian. 

If you wish to give your kitty CBD treats, never do so without contacting your veterinarian. Kittens are growing and developing, and you never want anything to interfere with these processes. Your veterinarian can offer guidance based on your kitten’s needs and concerns.

When you are considering cat CBD treats for pain, always check with your veterinarian first. Cats affected by conditions like arthritis may find comfort from the right CBD cat treats.

You may wonder about cat hemp treats and if hemp is legal in the United States and Canada for pets. The federal 2018 Farm Bill removed industrial hemp from its definition of marijuana, which makes hemp-derived CBD products for pets legal in the United States.

It’s also important to note that some treats and chews are indicated for both dogs and cats, while others may be tailored to one species, so always be sure to read the label. The dosage of these treats is typically by weight, so if they’re super potent and intended for large dogs, they may be way too much for a small cat. When using the cat treats with CBD, always follow the product’s dosing guidelines carefully, and stop giving your cat CBD if you notice any adverse effects.