Can I Give My Cat CBD Oil? What the Research Says
Key takeaways
- The FDA has not approved any CBD product for cats or other animals.
- At the same 2mg/kg dose, cats reached far lower CBD blood levels than dogs in a 2019 Cornell study.
- Healthy cats tolerated 4mg/kg of THC-free CBD daily for 26 weeks in a 2024 study.
- THC is the cannabinoid to avoid: its effects are more severe in cats than in people.
- Daily Pet Co suggests starting at 0.4mg of CBD per pound, about 4mg for a 10 lb cat.
You can give a cat CBD, but only a product made for cats or labeled for them, and only after talking to your veterinarian. Cats absorb CBD differently from dogs, need far smaller amounts and should not get THC. The FDA has not approved any CBD product for animals.
In this article
- Is CBD safe for cats?
- How do cats handle CBD differently from dogs?
- Why should a cat product be THC-free?
- How much CBD do you give a cat?
- Drops or treats?
- What we carry for cats
- Do you need to ask your vet?
- Frequently asked questions
Is CBD safe for cats?
Studies in healthy cats found CBD well tolerated at the doses tested. The side effects they recorded were mild and passed on their own. These studies looked at safety, not at whether CBD helps with any condition.
Three studies stand out:
- Kulpa et al., 2021. Twenty healthy adult cats received rising oral doses of CBD, THC or a CBD and THC blend. Cats on the CBD oil reached 30.5mg per kg of body weight. All adverse events were mild and transient, and blood work showed no clinically significant changes. The study was funded by a cannabis company, Canopy Growth.
- Coltherd et al., 2024. Healthy cats ate 4mg/kg of a THC-free CBD distillate every day for 26 weeks. The authors concluded it was well tolerated. They advise veterinary monitoring for cats with a history of liver disease.
- Deabold et al., 2019. Cornell researchers gave eight cats 2mg/kg of a CBD-rich hemp oil twice daily for 12 weeks. The cats often licked and shook their heads after the oil. One cat had a liver enzyme (ALT) rise above the normal range.
Safe in healthy cats is not the same as right for your cat. A cat that is older, small, on medication or with liver problems needs a veterinarian's input first.
How do cats handle CBD differently from dogs?
Cats absorb less CBD, or clear it faster, than dogs. In the 2019 Cornell study, dogs and cats received the same 2mg/kg dose. Peak CBD in the blood reached 301 ng/mL in dogs and only 43 ng/mL in cats.
The authors wrote that dosing may need to differ between the two species. That is one reason a dog product is a poor fit for a cat, even at a smaller amount.
CBD also leaves a cat's body quickly. In a 2022 study of eight cats given a hemp paste twice a day, CBD had a half-life of about 2 hours. CBDA, the raw acid form of CBD, was absorbed better than CBD itself.
Why should a cat product be THC-free?
THC is the cannabinoid that causes problems in cats. The Pet Poison Helpline states that marijuana's effects are more severe in cats than in humans and that even small amounts of THC can be very dangerous.
The 2021 Kulpa study saw the same pattern. Lethargy, low body temperature and loss of coordination were more common with the oils that contained THC.
That makes the spectrum the first thing to check:
- Isolate contains CBD only, with no THC. Medterra's pet tinctures and JustCBD's cat treats are isolate.
- Full spectrum keeps the plant's other compounds, including trace THC. Daily Pet Co Cat Drops are full spectrum. Ask your vet whether trace THC is acceptable for your cat.
How much CBD do you give a cat?
There is no established standard dose of CBD for cats. Follow the chart on the product you buy, start at the low end and ask your veterinarian. Daily Pet Co, which makes a cat-specific oil, suggests starting at 0.4mg of CBD per pound of body weight.
Here is what that starting amount looks like with Daily Pet Co Cat Drops, which hold 300mg of CBD in 30mL, or 10mg per mL:
| Cat weight | CBD at 0.4mg per lb | Daily Pet Co Cat Drops |
|---|---|---|
| 5 lb | 2mg | 0.2mL |
| 10 lb | 4mg | 0.4mL |
| 15 lb | 6mg | 0.6mL |
This is a starting point from one brand, not a dose for every product.
The 300mg Medterra pet tinctures also carry 10mg per mL, so the same number of milligrams takes the same volume. Use Medterra's own chart for how much. The 750mg bottles carry 25mg per mL, which is harder to measure for a small cat.
Drops or treats?
Drops let you measure small amounts precisely. Treats make it easier to get a picky cat to take CBD, but each piece carries a fixed, small amount.
| Daily Pet Co Cat Drops | Medterra Pet Tinctures | JustCBD Cat Treats | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Made for | Cats | Dogs and cats | Cats |
| Spectrum | Full spectrum | Isolate | Isolate |
| THC | Trace | None | None |
| CBD per unit | 10mg per mL | 10mg or 25mg per mL | About 0.3mg per treat |
| Carrier or flavor | Wild Alaskan salmon oil | MCT oil, unflavored or chicken | Chicken, liver, turkey and fish |
If your cat refuses drops on its own, try mixing them into wet food. The salmon oil base in Daily Pet Co's drops is savory, which helps with fussy eaters.
What we carry for cats
These four products are made for cats or labeled for cats. Each product page links the Certificate of Analysis for its batch.
See them side by side in our CBD for cats collection.
Do you need to ask your vet?
Yes. The FDA has not approved cannabis for any use in animals and says it cannot ensure the safety or effectiveness of these products. It recommends that pet owners talk with their veterinarian.
Bring the product and its Certificate of Analysis to the visit. Tell your vet about any medication your cat takes and any history of liver disease.
Frequently asked questions
Can I give my cat CBD oil made for people?
No. Human CBD oils are concentrated for human body weight, and many contain THC or flavorings that are not meant for cats. Use a product made for cats or labeled for them.
Will CBD make my cat high?
CBD is not intoxicating. THC is the concern. Signs of THC exposure in cats include a dazed look, glassy eyes, loss of coordination, drooling and vomiting. If you see them, call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline.
Why does my cat lick or shake its head after CBD oil?
Cornell researchers saw exactly that when cats were given CBD oil straight into the mouth. Mixing the drops into wet food or using a treat avoids putting the oil directly in your cat's mouth.
How long does CBD stay in a cat's system?
Not long. In a 2022 study of eight cats, CBD had a half-life in the blood of about 2 hours. That means half of it had cleared in that time.
Can a cat take CBD every day?
Healthy cats in a 2024 study took 4mg/kg of THC-free CBD daily for 26 weeks and tolerated it well. Whether daily use suits your cat is a question for your veterinarian.
Is dog CBD the same as cat CBD?
Not always. Some pet tinctures, like Medterra's, are labeled for dogs and cats. Many dog products are not. Check that the label covers cats and that the weight chart goes low enough.
Sources
- Kulpa JE, Paulionis LJ, Eglit GML, Vaughn DM. "Safety and tolerability of escalating cannabinoid doses in healthy cats." Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 2021;23(12):1162-1175. PMID 33769105
- Coltherd JC, Bednall R, Bakke AM, et al. "Healthy cats tolerate long-term daily feeding of Cannabidiol." Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2024;10:1324622. doi:10.3389/fvets.2023.1324622
- Deabold KA, Schwark WS, Wolf L, Wakshlag JJ. "Single-Dose Pharmacokinetics and Preliminary Safety Assessment with Use of CBD-Rich Hemp Nutraceutical in Healthy Dogs and Cats." Animals. 2019;9(10):832. PMC6826847
- Wang T, Zakharov A, Gomez B, et al. "Serum Cannabinoid 24 h and 1 Week Steady State Pharmacokinetic Assessment in Cats Using a CBD/CBDA Rich Hemp Paste." Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2022;9:895368. doi:10.3389/fvets.2022.895368
- Pet Poison Helpline. "Cats and Marijuana." petpoisonhelpline.com
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "FDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products, Including Cannabidiol (CBD)." Updated July 16, 2024. fda.gov