27 Aug Helping Cats Feel Better with CBD
With over 6 million pet dogs in Australia—making up nearly 50% of all pets—PetCann receives around 88% of all CBD prescriptions for canine patients. In contrast, although 33% of households own at least one of Australia’s 5 million pet cats, only 12% of CBD prescriptions we receive are for felines.
Why the Disparity?
There may be two key reasons for this:
• Firstly, many veterinarians may not be aware that CBD is safe and potentially beneficial for cats—or for other species because of its interaction with the endocannabinoid system.
• Second, while the evidence base for long-term CBD use in dogs is growing, research on its use in cats remains comparatively limited.
What we know about CBD for Cats
CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and anti-anxiety effects. These properties can benefit a wide range of feline conditions.
Conditions CBD may help manage (similar to dogs):
• Pain
• Arthritis
• Anxiety
• Skin conditions
• Seizures
• Palliative care
• Cognitive decline
Examples of feline-specific conditions where CBD may help:
• Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC)
• Feline Gingivostomatitis
What the Research Says
Study: “Healthy Cats Tolerate Long-Term Daily Feeding of Cannabidiol”
• CBD remained in plasma up to 24 hours after dosing (following 2 weeks of administration).
• Longer-term dosing showed more variability in plasma concentrations—potentially due to CBD accumulating in fat tissue, especially in cats with higher body condition scores.
Study: “Single-Dose Pharmacokinetics and Preliminary Safety Assessment with Use of CBD-Rich Hemp Nutraceutical in Healthy Dogs and Cats”
• Cats showed lower oral absorption of CBD vs dogs.
• Mean maximum plasma concentrations:
– Dogs: 301 ng/ml
– Cats: 43 ng/ml
• AUC (Area Under the Curve):
– Dogs: 1297 ng-h/ml
– Cats: 164 ng-h/ml
Mild side effects observed in cats in this study included:
• Excessive licking or headshaking (infrequent in general practice)
• Occasional pacing, chomping, gagging, vomiting, and salivation
• No reports of loose stools, (tends to be a more common side effect in dogs)
Clinical pathology findings:
• No significant changes in blood cell counts (except minor eosinophil reduction)
• Serum biochemistry within normal limits (one cat had a mild ALT elevation)
• No signs of organ dysfunction on physical exam or lab work
CBD as a Therapeutic Option in Cats
CBD may be especially valuable for older cats with kidney disease, where NSAIDs are often contraindicated.
Due to their smaller body size, CBD can be a cost-effective option for cats. Its palatability—especially a CBD isolate oil in chicken or tuna flavour—and the small dosing volumes required help support better compliance among cat owners.
The Endocannabinoid System in Cats
Although feline-specific research is still limited, studies confirm that cats do have CB1 and CB2 receptors—the primary targets of CBD.
These receptors have been identified in both healthy and diseased feline tissues.
• Overexpression of CB1 and CB2 has been noted in cats with hypersensitivity dermatitis.
• These receptors are present in the oral mucosa, and are upregulated in cats with chronic gingivostomatitis.
CBD treatment in these cases has shown improvements in:
• Appetite
• Grooming
• Comfort
• Stomatitis Disease Activity Index (SDAI) scores
Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) and CBD
FIC is a painful and often recurrent condition that causes stress for both cats and their owners. CBD may provide relief through several mechanisms:
• Modulating serotonin (5-HT) signaling
• Effect at CB1 receptors (presynaptic neurons)
• Effect at CB2 receptors (inflammatory cells)
• Targeting CB1 and CB2 receptors in the urinary bladder which may help suppress inflammation and reduce bladder pain.
While more research is needed, current evidence supports that CBD is well-tolerated by cats and may offer therapeutic benefits for a wide range of conditions. As awareness grows and data expands, CBD is poised to become a mainstream tool in feline medicine—just as it has become for dog
References
1. Frontiers | Healthy cats tolerate long-term daily feeding of Cannabidiol
6. Cital S Kramer K Hughston L and Gaynor JS (eds) (2021) Cannabis therapy in Veterinary Medicine: a complete guide.