CBD-Based Products Show Promise for Pets With Pain, Seizures, and Skin Problems
A systematic review of 22 studies found CBD-based products improved pain, seizure control, and behavior in dogs, with no serious side effects, though research in cats is minimal.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Across 22 studies, CBD-based formulations showed benefits for osteoarthritis pain, epilepsy, atopic dermatitis, postsurgical pain, and behavioral issues in dogs, with no serious adverse events reported. Research on cats was limited to just two studies.
Key Numbers
22 studies identified. Conditions: osteoarthritis, epilepsy, atopic dermatitis, postsurgical pain, behavioral issues. Only 2 cat studies. No serious adverse events. Long-term data limited.
How They Did This
Systematic review of PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, and Google Scholar from 2014 to 2024, identifying 22 studies on cannabidiol-based products in dogs and cats.
Why This Research Matters
Pet owners are increasingly using cannabis products for their animals, often without veterinary guidance. This systematic review provides the most comprehensive evidence assessment to date for clinical decision-making.
The Bigger Picture
The veterinary CBD market is growing rapidly, often outpacing the evidence. While early results are encouraging, the lack of standardized dosing and long-term safety data means veterinarians are largely operating without clear guidelines.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Most studies are small and vary in design quality. CBD product formulations differ across studies. Very limited cat data. Long-term effects unknown. Optimal dosing not established.
Questions This Raises
- ?What are the optimal CBD doses for specific pet conditions?
- ?Are there breed-specific differences in response?
- ?How does CBD interact with other veterinary medications?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 22 studies show CBD benefits for pets with no serious adverse events
- Evidence Grade:
- Systematic review methodology applied, but underlying studies vary in quality and most are small.
- Study Age:
- 2025 systematic review covering veterinary CBD literature from 2014-2024.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis-based products for medicinal use in dogs and cats: a systematic review.
- Published In:
- The Journal of small animal practice, 66(12), 855-870 (2025)
- Authors:
- Moreno-López, N, Moreno-López, C, Amariles, P
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07186
Evidence Hierarchy
Analyzes all available research on a topic using a structured method.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Is CBD safe for dogs?
This systematic review of 22 studies found no serious adverse events from CBD-based products in dogs. Benefits were seen for pain, seizures, skin problems, and behavior. However, optimal dosing and long-term effects are still not well established.
Does CBD work for cats?
Only two studies on cats were found in this review, making it impossible to draw firm conclusions. Much more research is needed before CBD can be recommended for feline conditions.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07186APA
Moreno-López, N; Moreno-López, C; Amariles, P. (2025). Cannabis-based products for medicinal use in dogs and cats: a systematic review.. The Journal of small animal practice, 66(12), 855-870. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13913
MLA
Moreno-López, N, et al. "Cannabis-based products for medicinal use in dogs and cats: a systematic review.." The Journal of small animal practice, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13913
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis-based products for medicinal use in dogs and cats: ..." RTHC-07186. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/moreno-lopez-2025-cannabisbased-products-for-medicinal
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.