Cats and cannabinoids: past, present and future.

Abstract

The use of cannabinoids from hemp, which is classified as a cultivar of Cannabis sativa with up to 0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol by USA federal definitions, is becoming increasingly popular in veterinary medicine. Owners frequently ask about their utility in a variety of conditions, including predominantly osteoarthritis, behavioral management, cancer, dermatitis and seizure disorders. Cannabinoid clinical utility, particularly cannabidiol (CBD) in dogs, is gradually emerging, while evidence for its use in cats remains limited. Several newer publications around the pharmacokinetics of CBD and cannabidiolic acid in cats show dramatic differences in bioavailability, elucidating that not all formulations are similar regarding serum or plasma concentrations. To date, although the pharmacokinetics look favorable, there are a handful of clinical studies on feline acute/chronic pain states and fear/anxiety/stress, alongside some pre-clinical studies where there is a potential for clinical translation. These limited studies, combined with positive owner and veterinary practitioner anecdotes, suggest there may be more opportunities for further pilot investigations to refine dosing and product selection for more randomized, placebo-controlled studies across several morbidities in the future.