Would smoking marijuana with a vapouriser harm my cat?

mirmir

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I have 10 year old male cat. Since he came to me as a three months old kitten, he's always been a very nervous and anxious cat, he does not trust to any cat or human other than me. He is always alarmed, just can't relax, and he rarely streches his body. Since his muscles are always tense, recently he's been having strong muscle aches, sometimes he can't walk and cry in pain. So in those times he has to get shots of pain killers but I don't want him to because his gastro-intestinal system is very sensitive also he has kidney and liver problems. A few times I smoke weed rolled with tobacco around him (this was years ago when I was ignorant now I never smoke anything around him) and in my suprise, he was very relaxed and smooth, his nose and paws were pink, he was really comfortable and he was stretching his body. So I thought, maybe I can smoke weed with a vapouriser near him every now and then and help him relax. But of course now I'm researching about this before trying and I wanted to know your experiences/knowledge/ideas. Also I came across something called Canna Companion, is there anyone who tried that, and do you think it helps with his anxiety problem?
 

stephanietx

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I would try some other calming agents such as Feliway or Rescue Remedy before trying marijuana.  I would also advise you to give him something like Omega 3 or Cosequin for his mucle and joint pain as it sounds like he has arthritis.
 
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mirmir

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Thank you for suggestion stephanietx I'll look into them. I was suspected that he has arthiritis but turns out  his pain comes from his muscles not his joints. His vet told me It may be because of his muscle tension.
 

Columbine

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:yeah: There are many natural supplements for joint support/pain relief that are designed specifically for cats. Rescue Remedy or Spirit Essences could help him relax safely, as could Composure or Zylkene. All are drug free, and are a safer choice than marijuana.
 
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mirmir

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I'm looking for a stress relief more than a pain relief, I believe that his stress is the reason his muscle tension, therefore muscle pain. Because at least for now, his joints are fine. Also I forgot tO mention earlier, he also picks the hairs on his back and he cleans himself constantly. One doctor even prescribed Prozac but I didn't want to give him it just did not seem right. I'll look into that Feliway though. 
 

stephanietx

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Depending on where you are, you might also look into accupuncture and animal chiropractics to help your kitty. 

Has he been checked for feline hyperesthisia syndrome?  What about food allergies?  That could contribute to the licking.  Are you feeding him a grain-free diet or a limited ingredient diet?  Those would help with food allergies.
 
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mirmir

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Unfortunately there are no acupuncture or chiropractics available in my country, I live in Turkey where all health problems of animals are dealed with modern chemical medicine. 

I've never heard of feline hyperesthisia syndrome, I'll look into it. 

He doesn't have any food allergies I know of but he has a very very sensitive gastro-intestinal system. The only commercial grain free food he can eat without vomiting is N&D but now we are switching to a low phosphorus diet because of his elevated BUN and Urea levels. Hill's K&D gave him diarrea I'm looking for a new food. Also he eats chicken, fish, lamb, etc.
 

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Unfortunately there are no acupuncture or chiropractics available in my country, I live in Turkey where all health problems of animals are dealed with modern chemical medicine. 

I've never heard of feline hyperesthisia syndrome, I'll look into it. 

He doesn't have any food allergies I know of but he has a very very sensitive gastro-intestinal system. The only commercial grain free food he can eat without vomiting is N&D but now we are switching to a low phosphorus diet because of his elevated BUN and Urea levels. Hill's K&D gave him diarrea I'm looking for a new food. Also he eats chicken, fish, lamb, etc.
Does he also have CKD? Asking since you mentioned giving him k/d.
 

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Prozac sound like it could be a helpful option for your cat as it would help with his general stress level. Marijuana is not a safe idea. Quality is not controlled.
 

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Prozac works great for cats that will NOT eat due to depression or a fatal illness. my moms old tomcat would not eat for days when she was in the hospital for 2 weeks. i cried and cried, went down to feed him every night and loved on him. one night I decided to take apart my prozac and just put a tiny bit of the powder on a spoon and make him take it. he was Not thrilled. but the next night he was so loving on me and acted like he was starved to death..He was always looking for her thru' the kitchen window.

   funny story I decide to take him to the hospital therapy place to see her :was gonna' sneak him in just a minute or to show him she was still alive. He was always sneaking in our cars when we unloaded groceries for her. Well honey when that car door shut he was on the dash, over the seat, tearing my leather seats something awful, he was over the seats ,across my shoulders,etc, I opened the car door and he flew up the steps into the porch. Needles to say he never went to the hospital to see her, Never tried THAT agian..
 
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mirmir

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Yes cats really hate cars. :)

My cat doesn't have a eating problem his appetite is really good which is great since it is often the biggest problems with CKD and aging cats. I don't want to give him any anti depressant because those things can have a bad influence on moods specially in deprivation process. And since he has CKD I don't want to use any chemical medication unless it is crucially necessary. Also in chronic mental conditions like my cat has, drugs like Prozac work only when used, so if I want it to work, then he has to use it all his life.

I guess I'm going to give this Canna Companion a chance. It is medical marijuana with very low THC levels specially designed for cats and dogs by veterinerians. I'm not sure about the calming effects, I emailed the producters I'm waiting for them to respond. 

Thank you all for your help. :)
 

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I just checked out Canna Companion's website and found it very interesting. Please let us know how it affects your boy. I think there is a real need for studies on and deregulation of medical marijuana. The strain Canna Companion has developed seems to have been well researched and grown with a high level of quality control. And it's legal, according to their web site. I will be very interested to hear your experience.
 

betsygee

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I tried Canna Companion on an anxious cat and really didn't see any effects, good or bad. I read that though the studies looked good, the concentration in the treats wasn't standardized. That was when it first came out--hopefully they've corrected that problem now.
 

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I just think that you're trying to use one drug, marijuana, in place of another. Please don't discount Prozac. If could have a significant, positive impact on your cat.
 
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mirmir

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I'm waiting for the Canna Companion web site to respond. I don't think that I'll use it unless it has an effect on anxiety but of course I'll share the results If we use it. :)
 

Mamanyt1953

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You might also try 1-1.5cc of chamomile tea.  I've used it on anxious cats, and even cats in pain to good effectl.  It does seem to relax them very nicely.
 

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Your vet prescribed your cat something that will help him calm down and not be so tense (Prozac), therefore he will most likely not have pain and you didn't give it to him? Why not? I'm sorry this seems so blunt, but your cat is 10 years old. You say he's been like this since you've gotten him. Now, it's causing him pain but you don't feel it is right to give him what the vet prescribed to you to give to him. I don't understand why you wouldn't give it to him as it would help him to feel less anxious (he'll be so much more calm) and as a result, won't be so tense and won't be him as much pain. I don't think your vet would give him something that would cause further issues with his CKD. Anyway, I hope you find something that will work for him and you and he feels better. 
 
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mirmir

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My cat did not have CKD when prescribed with Prozac. Prozac is a drug only works when used, if I want him to benefit from Prozac, he has to use it all his life and yes all chemical drugs would hurt kidneys. Also, I used Prozac and other anti depressants for myself, it definitely was not a good experience, it has a lot of side effects,  so I don't want to give something to my cat that I would never take for myself. So I'm trying to find a natural way to ease his anxiety.  I have enough experience with vets to know that what they offer is not always the best thing for my cats and not every vet is reliable.
 

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Oh goodness, I know this will be a really heated topic!  But just for what it's worth, my hubby & I smoke every night (out of a bowl, we don't have a vaporizer).  When we do this, we are both snuggled up together on the sofa, and all the cats are in the living room with us - they always are wherever we are, they like to be in the mix 
 And one cat in particular parks himself on top of the couch and stretches out, with his head right smack behind my head.  I've never noticed any ill effects with them when we smoke in the room - I would never blow smoke in their faces or anything like that, but they don't seem to care one way or the other if we smoke in the room with them.  I'm sure if it bothered them, they would get up & leave!  And you're using a vaporizer versus actual "smoke" so that's even better & safer.   I say if it seems to help your cat & he doesn't mind being around it - and especially if it seems to benefit him in some kind of way, I'd keep doing it - just like with people, I'd say it's a far better remedy than antidepressant/antipsychotic medication!  I looked at the Canna Companion website, and if I was out there searching for a holistic cure to help my guys, it would be something I would probably try.......I think at this point, it is pretty much undeniable that mj has real medical benefits, for all of us, two-legged or otherwise!  I'd rather give something like that than Prozac, esp if the cat has chronic renal disease or other issues.  
 
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