Compare the Best CBD Oil for Cats With Cancer in 2022

How CBD May Help Cats With Cancer

According to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, cancer affects an estimated 2% of the 80 million house cats in the United States⁽¹⁾. 

Cannabidiol, popularly known as CBD, is a cannabinoid of significant therapeutic interest in veterinary medicine⁽²⁾. 

Although no direct study examines how CBD may help cats with cancer, the compound’s purported health benefits and activity in the endocannabinoid system may explain how CBD may have therapeutic potential for feline cancer. 

CBD and the Endocannabinoid System

  The endocannabinoid system or ECS is pervasive in mammalian species like cats. The ECS, which is responsible for maintaining bodily homeostasis or balance, consists of cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), endogenous ligands, and enzymes⁽³⁾. 

Endogenous ligands or endocannabinoids are naturally occurring chemical substances that bind to cannabinoid receptors. Coincidentally, plant-based cannabinoids like CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) may interact with the ECS as ligands⁽⁴⁾. 

THC is the only psychoactive cannabinoid present in the cannabis plant and is known for some of this plant’s biomedical activity⁽⁵⁾. Non-psychoactive CBD has comparable therapeutic potential to THC without intoxicating side effects. 

CBD and the Cannabinoid Receptors 

CB1 and CB2 receptors are also present throughout cats’ bodies⁽⁶⁾. A report on the use of cannabis in veterinary medicine stated that the localization of CB1 receptors in the brain reflects vertebrates’ control of cognition, motor function, memory, and analgesia or loss of pain perception⁽⁷⁾. 

Because of their backbone, cats are classified as vertebrates.

Meanwhile, CB2 receptors in the immune system modulate a healthy response to inflammation by up-regulating numerous anti-inflammatory pathways⁽⁸⁾. 

Cannabidiol has a little binding affinity for both cannabinoid receptors. Still, the non-psychoactive compound is believed to have strong anti-inflammatory effects by indirect activation of CB1 receptors through inhibition of endocannabinoid inactivation⁽⁹⁾.  

Researchers who want to explore CBD’s potential anti-inflammatory effects on feline cancer may find these studies helpful.  

For instance, inflammatory mammary carcinoma is a malignant mammary tumor characterized by pain, severe swelling, and redness of the gland with cancer.

Mammary tumors are often observed in female cats. The percentage of feline malignant mammary tumors is 86%⁽¹⁰⁾.  

A study mentioned that CBD may also help with chronic pain⁽¹¹⁾. Cats’ chronic pain may exist by itself or be linked to diseases, such as osteoarthritis and cancer⁽¹²⁾.   

A scientific report from the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association reported that 81.8% of 55 respondents said that they had used hemp-derived products like CBD oil for their cats to help with conditions such as cancer, anxiety, and arthritis⁽¹³⁾. 

These findings may be promising. Nonetheless, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has not approved cannabis and its derivatives for any use in animals⁽¹⁴⁾.

Therefore, the FDA cautions pet owners against the use of such products and recommends consulting a veterinarian for proper treatment options⁽¹⁵⁾.  

In addition, some veterinarians in the U.S. may not be legally allowed to recommend, dispense, or even discuss CBD products with their patients. However, you may initiate an open dialogue with them⁽¹⁶⁾.  

Benefits of Using CBD for Cats With Cancer

The advancement in veterinary medicine has allowed some types of cancer, such as mammary and skin cancers, to become manageable and often reversible due to early detection and appropriate treatment⁽¹⁷⁾. 

Still, the prognosis is far less optimistic for other cancers like lymphoma⁽¹⁸⁾. Lymphoma refers to a cancer of the lymphocytes, which are cells involved in the immune system. 

In cats, lymphoma commonly affects the intestines. Hence, clinical signs of lymphoma are often the same as other intestinal diseases⁽¹⁹⁾.    

Common symptoms of lymphoma in the gastrointestinal tract include vomiting, diarrhea, decreased or increased appetite, and weight loss⁽²⁰⁾. The available treatment for cats diagnosed with most forms of lymphoma usually centers around chemotherapy. 

Currently, there is no known study examining the benefits of using CBD for feline cancer like lymphoma. 

However, a 2021 research article suggested that CBD-chemotherapy combination treatments may improve canine bladder cancer response rates and survival⁽²¹⁾. 

Researchers who seek to explore how CBD may help cats with cancer, particularly those with feline lymphoma, may find this research useful. 

In addition, human and veterinary literature suggested that CBD may have anti-inflammatory properties and pain-relieving effects⁽²²⁾. 

The non-psychoactive compound may also provide gastrointestinal and immune system support, which may benefit pets with autoimmune disease and cancer⁽²³⁾.  

CBD’s therapeutic potential may be promising. Still, a direct study examining the benefits of CBD oil on feline cancer is warranted. 

If you want to try CBD to help your furry friend with cancer, remember that some regulations may restrict a veterinarian’s ability to discuss CBD products with their patients outright. 

However, pet parents may share information about the effects of CBD on animals with their veterinarians to start a conversation⁽²⁴⁾. 

How to Give CBD Oil to Your Cat With Cancer

Cat owners may find various CBD products on the market. Below are multiple ways you can give CBD oil and other CBD-derived products to your cat with cancer: 

CBD oil or CBD tincture consists of CBD extracts suspended in a carrier oil, such as MCT oil or coconut oil.  

CBD oil products or pet tinctures usually come with a dropper, allowing you to give a dose to your cat more accurately. 

Administering CBD oil under your pet’s tongue, on their cheeks, or in their mouth lets CBD be absorbed quickly through mucous membranes⁽²⁵⁾. 

However, your cat may not like the earthy flavor of CBD. In that case, you may add oil to cat food or treats. 

CBD cat treats are helpful, especially if your feline friend enjoys taking treats. These edibles, like chews, are easy to administer because they are usually tasty. 

Another popular way to give your pet CBD oil is to apply it directly to the skin for localized relief. Aside from oils, other CBD topicals include lotions, creams, and salves. 

CBD Oil Dosage for Cats With Cancer

The FDA has not approved cannabis and its derivates for any use in animals⁽²⁶⁾. Therefore, CBD is not recognized as a cancer treatment and there is no standard CBD dosage for feline cancer. 

However, a 2019 study from the journal Animals examined eight healthy cats with an average weight of 4.2kg. The cats were dosed with CBD-infused fish oil at 2mg. The total dose per 24 hour period was 4 mg of CBD for 84 days⁽²⁷⁾. 

The results showed that hemp-based CBD may be relatively safe in healthy populations of cats⁽²⁸⁾. Still, the study was inconclusive and done on healthy cats.

If you want to administer CBD to your cat with cancer, make sure to check the product label to determine how many milligrams of CBD are in each bottle. 

For CBD oil tinctures, one dropper equals one milliliter. The general rule is to start with a low dose of 0.05mg per pound twice daily and see how your pet reacts over the following week⁽²⁹⁾. 

Still, it is best to consult a veterinarian experienced in cannabis use to know the accurate dose for your feline friend with cancer. 

If you are from Nevada, a licensed veterinarian can recommend CBD products, provided that the items contain less than 0.3% of THC⁽³⁰⁾.       

How Long Does CBD Take to Help Cats With Cancer?

How long it takes for cannabidiol to help cats with cancer depends on the administration route used and other factors like the CBD product’s potency and the feline’s body weight and specific health issues. 

Research on CBD for cats is limited, and most studies and accounts on how soon the compound takes effect have been conducted on humans. Remember that feline size and biology are different even if cats have an ECS. 

A study that sought to assess the safety of hemp-based CBD products in canines and felines reported that the absorption kinetics of CBD-infused fish oil in cats showed a maximal serum concentration of 43 ng/ml (nanograms per milliliter), with a retention time of 3.5 hours⁽³¹⁾.

How Long Will CBD Help Cats With Cancer?

How long CBD’s effects last usually depends on the compound’s pharmacokinetics, including its half-life.

Pharmacokinetics encompasses the period of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Meanwhile, half-life is the time required for a drug concentration to decrease by 50% of its starting dose.

The half-life of CBD-infused fish oil administered to cats was 2.4 hours⁽³²⁾.  

Choosing the Best CBD Oil for Cats With Cancer

Most CBD companies are dedicated to giving their customers high-quality CBD oil and other CBD-derived pet products. 

However, with so many brands promising the same thing, pet parents may find it challenging to choose the best CBD products that may help their pets enjoy an improved quality of life.   

Here is a guide to help you select the best CBD oil for cats with cancer:

1. Learn about CBD or hemp extracts.  

Full-spectrum CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp-derived products contain all the compounds naturally present in the cannabis plant, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. 

Terpenes are essential oils found in cannabis (sometimes called marijuana) and hemp plants. Terpenes provide distinct taste and odor to these plants⁽³³⁾. 

Meanwhile, flavonoids are active compounds present in cannabis that have potential antioxidant, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties⁽³⁴⁾.  

Full-spectrum hemp-derived products have less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. 

Meanwhile, broad-spectrum CBD oil also contains all the natural compounds found in the cannabis plant. However, it is nearly THC-free. CBD isolates, the third CBD type, are made of pure CBD. 

2. Support CBD brands that are transparent with their farming practices.

Several CBD brands cultivate hemp plants from their farms. 

Visit the official webpage of the CBD brand you choose to know if its website includes more information about its grown hemp, testing methods, and CBD extraction process.

Generally, carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction is considered the cleanest method⁽³⁵⁾. 

3. Ensure that CBD pet products come with lab reports and COAs (certificates of analysis) from third-party labs.   

Remember that CBD pet products must be tested to determine their potency and the presence of contaminants, such as residual solvents, pesticides, and heavy metals. 

4. Assess the ingredients of the CBD pet products. 

Make sure to read the ingredients and be aware of possible allergens that may trigger adverse reactions in your cat. Some chews or treats may contain added preservatives. Thus, if possible, always opt for products made from non-GMO or organic hemp. 

Most CBD pet products may also contain additives like carrier oils. Frequently used carrier oils are MCT oil, coconut oil, and hempseed oil.

Hempseed oil is different from hemp oil. Hemp oil (CBD oil) is an essential oil that comes from the flowers and leaves of hemp plants, while hempseed oil is made from the pressed seeds of hemp plants. 

Hempseed oil does not contain CBD. However, it is rich in nutrients and fatty acids⁽³⁶⁾. 

Is CBD Safe for Cats With Cancer?

There is no study available examining the safety of CBD for cats with cancer. 

However, a 2019 research article from the journal Animals hypothesized that hemp-based CBD may be relatively safe in healthy populations of cats and dogs⁽³⁷⁾. 

The lack of serum chemistry alterations in canines and felines is promising as the results relate to preliminary toxicity findings. Still, the use of CBD-rich hemp products in these animals requires monitoring of liver enzyme values⁽³⁸⁾.   

The Potential Side Effects and Risks of Using CBD for Cats With Cancer

Cats with lymphoma often develop weight loss, diarrhea, and vomiting. Their appetites may also vary⁽³⁹⁾. 

CBD is relatively safe and well tolerated in humans and animals⁽⁴⁰⁾. Still, the compound may induce risks and minor side effects. 

After CBD ingestion, some pets reportedly showed signs of inappetence, lethargy, diarrhea, and vomiting⁽⁴¹⁾. Cats with lymphoma may also exhibit these signs. 

In addition, since full-spectrum CBD products contain traces of THC, it is worth noting that cats react to THC overdose the same as humans. However, due to their small size, felines may experience severe and prolonged THC effects⁽⁴²⁾. 

To ensure your pet’s safety, initiate a conversation with your veterinarian, especially if you are thinking of administering CBD to your cats to manage symptoms of cancer or to help with pain management. 

You may share resources with your veterinarians. However, be prepared as medical boards in each state are still working on guidelines to provide these professionals with rules concerning cannabis use⁽⁴³⁾. 

Legality of CBD

Marijuana is federally categorized as a Schedule I controlled substance in the U.S. under the Controlled Substances Act⁽⁴⁴⁾. 

However, Cannabis sativa L. and other derivatives of cannabis with less than 0.3% of THC on a dry weight basis are not included in the list. 

More than half of the U.S. states have passed legislation allowing medical marijuana use in humans under strict guidelines⁽⁴⁵⁾. Still, state laws legalizing cannabis use in people do not apply to animals.    

Additionally, rules and regulations regarding medical marijuana and CBD usage vary from state to state.

Therefore, you have to familiarize yourself with various state laws, especially if you plan to administer CBD to your cat with cancer.

In Nevada, licensed veterinarians may recommend and administer hemp and CBD products containing less than 0.3% THC⁽⁴⁶⁾. 

Meanwhile, in Colorado, the local government expanded its staw law in 2012 by legalizing the use of recreational marijuana in adults⁽⁴⁷⁾. However, it is not clear whether the Centennial State allows the use of CBD in pets.