Cannabidiol (CBD) for Companion Animals

Welcome to Cannabis Conclusions, a unique educational series from Higher Learning LV that is targeted at hemp and cannabis industry professionals. This series provides readers with the conclusion section from important modern peer-reviewed research studies.

A November 2021 study entitled "Cannabidiol-based Natural Health Products for Companion Animals: Recent Advances in the Management of Anxiety, Pain, and Inflammation" that was published in the journal Research in Veterinary Science explored the use of the hemp-derived cannabinoid CBD for the treatment of a variety of common conditions exhibited by companion animals such as cats and dogs.

"Recent advances in cannabidiol (CBD) use in canines and felines for anxiety management, pain management, and anti-inflammatory effects were reviewed."

The stated goal of the scientific investigation was to "evaluate the potential of CBD-based natural health products for companion animals such as dogs and cats by reviewing recent advances in CBD treatment of anxiety, pain, and inflammation."

"Recent advances in cannabidiol (CBD) use in canines and felines for anxiety management, pain management, and anti-inflammatory effects were reviewed using a literature search conducted with the following keywords: CBD, anxiety, inflammation, pain, dogs, cats, and companion animals.

"For decades, research on CBD has been hindered due to the status of cannabis (C. sativa L.) as an illicit drug. Limited safety data show that CBD is well-tolerated in dogs, with insufficient information on the safety profile of CBD in cats. Upon oral supplementation of CBD, elevation in liver enzymes was observed for both dogs and cats, and pharmacokinetics of CBD are different in the two species.

"Limited safety data show that CBD is well-tolerated in dogs, with insufficient information on the safety profile of CBD in cats."

"There is a significant gap in the literature on the therapeutic use of CBD in cats, with no feline data on anxiety, pain, and inflammation management. There is evidence that chronic osteoarthritic pain in dogs can be reduced by supplementation with CBD.

"Furthermore, experiments are required to better understand whether CBD has an influence on noise-induced fear and anxiolytic response. Preliminary evidence exists to support the analgesic properties of CBD in treating chronic canine osteoarthritis; however, there are inter- and intra-species differences in pharmacokinetics, tolerance, dosage, and safety of CBD.

"Experiments are required to better understand whether CBD has an influence on noise-induced fear and anxiolytic response."

"Therefore, to validate the anxiety management, pain management, and anti-inflammatory efficacy of CBD, it is essential to conduct systematic, randomized, and controlled trials. Further, the safety and efficacious dose of CBD in companion animals warrants investigation."

View the original study.

🎧 Like what you just read? Listen and learn with our highly educational weekly Cannabis Commerce + Chemistry Podcast. At under 30 minutes per episode, it helps industry professionals stay current on trending topics.