This was one of the things I read this week about CBD oil and cats. It’s from the felinecrf site. Lots of good info here. I believe one of the problems with CBD and other drugs os that it increases the effects/duration/potency of other drugs, which could be dangerous.
Hemp-Based Products and Cannabidiol (CBD)
There is increasing interest in using cannabis-based products for a variety of ailments in humans, and some people are also interested in using these products in their cats.
Mammals have an endocannabinoid system in their bodies. This system consists of a number of receptors in the brain and throughout the body. Humans have CB1 and CB2 receptors. Cats definitely have CB1 receptors, but it is not known if they have CB2 receptors.
CB receptors regulate many physiological processes, including pain and appetite. It is thought that cannabis-based products may affect the endocannabinoid system in a positive manner, helping, amongst other benefits, to control pain and improve appetite.
Difference Between Marijuana (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD)
The cannabis plant contains more than eighty biologically active compounds known as cannabinoids. The two usually of primary concern when discussing cannabis are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
Marijuana and industrial hemp are both derived from the cannabis plant and therefore both contain a number of cannabinoids but — and this is key — in different ratios. Marijuana, when processed, contains very high levels of THC (which is what gives the high) and low levels of CBD (cannabidiol, which affects the nervous system but does not give a high). Hemp, when processed, contains very low levels of THC (0.3% on a dry matter basis) and high levels of CBD.
Despite the name, some (but not all) forms of medical marijuana are based on hemp.
Marijuana (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) Regulation
USA
Marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug in the USA. Some US states permit marijuana (THC) to be used in humans for medical reasons, and in 2012 two states (Washington and Colorado) also legalised marijuana for recreational use. Nevertheless, under federal law the DEA still considered a product derived from the cannabis plant to be a controlled substance.
However, in 2018 the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 removed hemp (defined as cannabis or derivatives of cannabis with a THC content below 0.3% on a dry matter analysis basis) from the Controlled Substance Act's definition of marijuana. Therefore hemp is no longer a controlled substance under federal law.
In 2019 the US Food and Drug Administration held a public hearing into the legal status of certain cannabis-based products and has set up a working group to look into the matter further.
The US Food and Drug Administration explains more about its role in regulating cannabis-related products, including CBD.
UK
Medicinal cannabis was legalised for humans in the UK in late 2018, but it is only very rarely prescribed, and only for very specific conditions such as rare seizure disorders, nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, or muscle spasms and stiffness caused by multiple sclerosis. It can only be prescribed by hospital consultants, not by GPs.
Canada
Cannabis was legalised in Canada for humans in 2018. According to the
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, vets in Canada are not legally allowed to prescribe cannabis products to companion animals, though the law is due for review in 2021, so this may change.
CBD-Based Products for Cats
There is increasing interest in using these products for pain such as arthritic pain, anxiety and occasionally for inappetence. A number of companies in the USA have developed hemp-based products for animals. These products are not illegal in the USA and may be imported into Europe (indeed, it is legal to grow industrial hemp in the EU) but not into Australasia (although Australia has recently legalised medical marijuana for humans). However, see
below.
Veterinary Marijuana? (2013) Nolen RS
JAVMA News discusses the use of marijuana in pets.
I have not had much feedback about CBD-based products yet, but several members of my support group have tried one of these products on their cats. After about a week, most of them did see an increase in appetite.
Personally, I would want veterinary input, and ideally more research, before using CBD-based products in my cat.
CBD-Based Products: Research
Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine is looking into the use of CBD for epilepsy and arthritis in dogs, and Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine is also investigating the use of CBD in dogs.
Pharmacokinetics, safety, and clinical efficacy of cannabidiol treatment in osteoarthritic dogs(2018) Gamble L-J, Boesch JM, Frye CW, Schwark WS, Mann S, Wolfe L, Brown H, Berthelsen ES & Wakshlag JJ
Frontiers in Veterinary Science epubfound that CBD may be helpful for dogs with osteoarthritis
Consumers' perceptions on hemp products for animals(2016) Kogan LR, Hellyer PW & Robinson NG
American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Journal 42 Spring pp40-48 reports on a survey of people who had given hemp-based products to their pets. Of the just under 12% of people surveyed who were using these products in their cats, the majority seemed to think they were most effective for pain, inflammation and to help sleep. The main side effect seen was sedation but the second most common was an increased appetite.
An update on safety and side effects of cannabidiol: a review of clinical data and relevant animal studies(2017) Iffland K & Grotenhermen F
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research 2(1) pp139–154 looked at research into the use of these products but no research in cats is mentioned.
Single-dose phamacokinetics and preliminary safety assessment with use of CBD-rich hemp nutraceutical in healthy dogs and cats(2019) Deabold KA, Schwark WS, Wolf L & Wakshlag JJ
Animals (Basel) 9(10) p832 gave CBD oil to healthy dogs and cats. The study states "Based on these and other recent data, CBD-rich hemp nutraceuticals appear to be safe in healthy adult dogs, while more work in cats is needed to fully understand utility and absorption." The study adds that liver enzymes should be monitored in cats receiving CBD.
In 2019 the
American Veterinary Medical Associationsubmitted comments to the FDA regarding the use of CBD in companion animals which state "Although we are encouraged by some of the information obtained from therapeutic investigations into the use of cannabis for treatment of epilepsy and osteoarthritis, few well-controlled studies have been published and results thus far are inconsistent...much of what we know regarding the use of these products in veterinary patients is anecdotal. It is not our intent to suggest that benefits may not exist. To the contrary, there appears to be real potential for cannabis-derived products in the veterinary medical space. However, the path to market must support pursuit of the research necessary to produce safe and efficacious products with valid label claims."
As far as CBD for CKD goes,
A review of cannabis in chronic kidney disease symptom management(2019) Ho C, Martinusen F & Lo C
Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease 6 pp1-14 looked at the use of marijuana (including both CBD and THC) on human CKD patients. The study states "Until further studies are conducted, the role of nonsynthetic cannabinoids for symptom management in patients with CKD should be limited to the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain."
FDA issued a warning letter to Canna-Pet stating that the claims on its website meant that its products were unapproved new drugs. Canna-Pet subsequently changed its advertising. Canna Companion received a similar letter.
One major problem with many hemp-based products is that they may not contain much, or even any, CBD. 2015 warning letter and test results states that the FDA tested various products, including those made by Canna Companion and Canna-Pet, and "in some of them, did not detect any CBD. It is important to note that these products are not approved by FDA for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of any disease, and often they do not even contain the ingredients found on the label. Consumers should beware purchasing and using any such products."
Five years later, this continues to be a problem. Cannabinoid, terpene and heavy metal analysis of 29 over the counter commercial veterinary hemp supplements(2020) Wakshlag JJ, Cital S, Eaton SJ, Prussin R & Hudalla C Veterinary Medicine Research and Reports11 pp45-55 examined 29 products and found that they all contained less than 0.3% CBD, though some contained none. The study concludes "The products analyzed had highly variable concentrations of CBD or total cannabinoids with only 18 of 29 being appropriately labeled according to current FDA non-medication, non-dietary supplement or non-food guidelines. Owners and veterinarians wanting to utilize CBD-rich Cannabis sativa products should be aware of low-concentration products and should obtain a COA enabling them to fully discuss the implications of use and calculated dosing before administering to pets."
It is also possible for products stating that they contain CBD to contain some THC, which could be dangerous for cats.
Cannabis-based products contain terpenes, which are the compounds that give plants their colour, smell and taste. Different cannabis plants have different terpenes. Some, for example, may contain lemon- or pine-scented terpenes, which many cats dislike the smell of. You need to see the Certificate of Analysis from an independent laboratory which will state which type of terpenes are in the product.
Deciding how much CBD to give your cats is also problematic, because the correct dose is not known.
CBD-Based Products: Choices
A product called Epidiolex is approved for use in humans with rare seizure disorders, and according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, "is Schedule V and is available to veterinarians for extralabel use in animals under the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA)."
Some people buy OTC products for their cats (and in some countries you may not have any alternative) but there is no guarantee they contain what you think you are buying (see Issues).
CBD-Based Products: Side-Effects and Interactions
CBD may increase the effects of amlodipine (for hypertension).Drugshas more information.
It may also interact with painkillers such as buprenorphine, tramadol or fentanyl.
