DENVER — Therabis, subsidiary business of Dixie Brands, has released its first CBD-infused cat treat. The soft chew, hemp-based treats promote stress relief and will become available in April 2019.

The company is introducing a hemp-based, soft-chew cat treat to help reduce stress. "Our goal is to ease stress in cats and help them maintain a calm demeanor in situations that may cause them to be apprehensive,” said Bob Rubin, president of Therabis. 

The cat treats are formulated with cannabidiol and other ingredients, including L-theanine and L-taurine. Therabis has been developing CBD formulations for cats since 2017 and partnered with a specialty pet chewables manufacturer to optimize palatability. The formulation using CBD in pet treats was first used in canine products in 2016, and the company has filed for a patent for it.

Co-founder of Therabis Stephen Katz, DVM, said the treats are palatable and effective in reducing stress in cats. "Anxiety is one of the most under-diagnosed conditions affecting cats, as their owners and even veterinarians can miss signs such as hyper-responsiveness to stimuli,” Katz added. He said testing of the product was done with feline patients at his veterinary clinic.