Osteoarthritis is a common condition in cats that leads to chronic pain, reduced mobility, and decreased quality of life. In this study, researchers evaluated a cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA)-rich hemp paste to determine whether it could safely support pain relief in cats with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. The study was designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, meaning each cat received both the cannabinoid treatment and a placebo at different times for comparison.

The results showed that cats receiving the CBD/CBDA paste experienced significant reductions in pain scores, as measured by both veterinary assessments and owner-reported questionnaires. Improvements were observed as early as two weeks into treatment and continued through the six-week study period. Importantly, bloodwork and clinical evaluations showed no significant negative changes in health markers, suggesting the treatment was generally well tolerated.

However, the study also noted a relatively high dropout rate, mainly because some cats refused to consume the paste or experienced mild side effects such as vomiting. While the findings suggest that CBD and CBDA may offer supportive benefits for managing osteoarthritis-related pain in cats, the authors emphasize that larger and longer-term studies are needed to confirm effectiveness, optimize dosing, and better understand long-term safety.

Source:
Mulder LM, et al. Field safety and efficacy study with a cannabidiol/cannabidiol acid-rich hemp paste in cats with osteoarthritic pain. National Library of Medicine (NIH): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12536179/