Can Cats Have Delta 8?

White and bron cat standing up looking up.

Delta 8 THC has become extremely popular in the human world. Following other cannabinoid greats like delta 9 THC and CBD, delta 8 THC is the latest cannabinoid to take the cannabis industry by storm. But is there such a thing as delta 8 for cats?

With cannabis beginning to enter the animal health and wellness space in the form of pet CBD, many people wonder if the same may apply to other cannabinoids such as delta 8 THC.

Because we care about your furry friends, we’ll give you the short answer first: no, delta 8 THC is NOT safe for cats. However, it’s also essential to know precisely why delta 8 is unsafe for cats (and pets in general), as well as some signs of delta 8 toxicity to look out for. Knowing what to look for could save the life of your pet or someone else’s.

 

Key Takeaways

  • Delta 8 THC is not safe for cats.
  • Delta 8 can cause issues for pets like incontinence, dizziness, lethargy, stress, and drooling.
  • Avoid giving any THC product to your pet as much as possible.

 

Is Delta 8 Safe for Pets?

While delta 8 gummies, vapes, and tinctures are all legal and safe for human use, delta 8 THC is NOT safe for pets. Although delta 8 THC is not as strong as its cannabinoid cousin delta 9 THC, it is still a form of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which can be extremely toxic to a number of animals.

Is Delta 8 Safe For Cats?

Is delta 9 safe for cats? No, delta 8 is not safe for cats. Cats have a very unique physiology that makes certain foods or substances that are completely safe for humans be extremely dangerous for them. For example, while onions and garlic are a favorite for most people, those two simple vegetables can be lethal for a cat.

Is Delta 8 Safe for Dogs?

Is delta 8 safe for dogs? No, delta 8 is not safe for dogs. Similar to cats, dogs also have an extremely unique physiology and biological makeup that makes them very different from humans. Like cats, things like onions, garlic, and chocolate are threats to their health. 

 

Negative Side Effects of Delta 8 for Pets

The effects of delta 8 on humans are drastically different than the effects of delta 8 on pets. For example, while some humans may use delta 8 to relieve pain, it can cause the exact opposite effect on pets.

Delta 8 THC Can Make Your Pet Dizzy

Pets are not meant to consume psychoactive substances, so when they do, they may become extremely dizzy and have a difficult time walking in a straight line. If you see your cat walking wobbly or having a difficult time standing up straight, it may be dizzy due to delta 8 consumption.

Delta 8 THC Can Make Your Pets Lethargic

Delta 8 may also make your pet extremely lethargic. In some extreme cases, your cat may be so lethargic that you have a difficult time waking them up. Cats naturally sleep for around 18 hours a day, but they’re biologically wired to wake up extremely easily and quickly. If you’re having trouble waking your pet up, take them to the vet immediately.

Delta 8 THC Can Cause Incontinence in Pets

The experience of delta 8 THC can be so stressful for your animal that it may cause incontinence. This means that your cat won’t make it to their litter box or your dog can’t make it outside. These are not normal activities for house-trained pets and should always be taken seriously.

Delta 8 THC Can Cause Stress in Pets

Similar to humans, animals can get highly stressed in situations that are confusing or new for them. And while the human body also physically responds to stress, animals respond to stress at a much higher rate than us, which means that highly stressful experiences like consuming delta 8 may cause permanent damage due to the stress they were under.

Delta 8 THC Can Cause Excessive Drooling in Pets

Another sign of THC toxicity in pets is excessive drooling. Cats especially should not be drooling or panting in any way; drooling or panting means that they’re either overheated, overstressed, or extremely sick.

Delta 8 THC Can Alter Your Pets Heart Rhythm

In extreme cases or high doses, delta 8 THC can cause heart rhythm abnormalities. This is a severe sign of THC toxicity and can only be helped by a trained veterinarian in an animal hospital.

 

Is Weed Bad for Cats?

For the most part, cannabis can be toxic for animals. However, research has suggested that it’s primarily the psychoactive components that are the worst part for animals, which is why we’ve seen an influx of pet CBD in the animal health and wellness space.

You don’t need a prescription for pet CBD and can find it at almost any smoke shop that sells CBD for humans. However, if you’re thinking about trying animal CBD on your pet, we strongly suggest consulting their primary care veterinarian first.

Is Getting Cats High Safe?

Is getting cats high safe? No, getting cats high is NOT safe. Many stoners might think it’s “funny” to get their pets high, but this can cause significant stress, confusion, and even sickness in animals. To be clear, getting cats high with THC is animal abuse.

Thankfully, there’s another plant that the planet has gifted us: catnip. A member of the mint family, catnip is an all-natural plant that kitties have coveted for centuries. Some people even call catnip cat weed!

Most cats go completely bananas for catnip and can act like they’re “high” from the smell and taste of the plant. Your cat may roll around in it, bite on it, and sometimes get the zoomies. (Although it’s important to remember that all cats are different and have their own unique personalities, likes, and dislikes, which means that your cat very well may not like catnip just because of their own personal tastes. And that’s okay!)

Natural Cat Sedative for Grooming

Some people need to get their cats regularly groomed, such as Maine Coon owners, who have cats with very long fur that can get matted or may need to be cut every so often. The only problem is that sometimes cats don’t make that process very easy. This can be an extremely stressful experience for your pet which leaves many pet owners looking for solutions in terms of sedating their cats during the grooming process.

You should NEVER use any form of THC to sedate your cat. There are many options in terms of pet CBD, calming catnip, and calming sprays that can help your cat to relax during stressful times like going to the groomer or going to the vet.

 

What to Do if Your Cat Eats Cannabis

If you believe your pet has eaten delta 8 THC or another form of cannabis but are unsure, make sure that you do not leave them alone and that you’re looking out for any and all signs of THC toxicity. If they begin to show any signs of THC toxicity, take them to the vet immediately.

If you know for sure that your cat has eaten delta 8 THC or another form of cannabis, please take them to the vet immediately. If treated quickly enough, veterinarians can give your pet medication to pump their stomach of its contents before the cannabinoids are fully digested and absorbed. If the THC toxicity has started to set in, there are other medications that may help your cat or other pet live through the sickness.

 

The Safest Delta 8 For Pet Owners

The only way to ensure that your pets don’t succumb to delta 8 toxicity is to be responsible with how you store your delta 8 and other cannabis products. Always make sure you store them out of reach from curious cats and determined dogs. 

While it’s important to make sure you’re responsibly storing your delta 8, there are some delta 8 products that may be less enticing to your pets than others. Delta 8 edibles such as gummies or baked goods may smell tasty enough for a hungry pet to take a bite.

However, darts and vapes are less enticing to animals because they don’t smell like food. Both cats and dogs have a sense of smell that is much stronger than humans, so cutting out the temptation altogether is the best way to keep them safe.

Enjoy responsibly and keep your fur babies safe!

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Disclaimer: Delta Munchies is NOT providing any medical or legal cannabis advice. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the legality of cannabis or its potential effects of cannabis or any of its components, please reach out to a trusted medical or legal professional.

All statements made by Delta Munchies regarding delta 8, delta 9 THC, delta 10, HHC, CBN, CBG, CBD, and any/all other cannabinoids mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. No entity at Delta Munchies is a medical professional, nor is Delta Munchies giving any medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the potential effects of cannabis, please reach out to a trusted medical professional.

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