CBD Paste Reduced Arthritis Pain in Cats, but Many Refused to Eat It
A crossover RCT in cats with osteoarthritis found CBD/CBDA paste reduced pain scores significantly after 6 weeks, but nearly half the cats dropped out because they refused the paste.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 26 cats with OA, 14 completed the crossover study. CBD/CBDA paste significantly reduced pain scores on both veterinary-assessed (TRiP) and owner-assessed (DORFOP) measures after 6 weeks, with owner-reported improvements starting at 2 weeks. No changes in clinical biochemistry were observed.
Key Numbers
26 cats enrolled, 12 dropped out (mainly refusing paste/vomiting), 14 completed. Significant reduction in TRiP and DORFOP pain scores. Owner improvements by week 2. No biochemistry changes.
How They Did This
Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover study in 26 client-owned cats with osteoarthritis, using standardized pain assessments and blood work over 6-week treatment periods.
Why This Research Matters
This is one of the few controlled studies of CBD in cats. While the pain reduction is promising, the high dropout rate reveals a practical barrier that any feline CBD product must overcome.
The Bigger Picture
Cat owners are increasingly using CBD products, often without veterinary guidance. This study provides the controlled evidence needed, while also revealing that palatability is a critical formulation challenge.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Very high dropout rate (46%) limits statistical power and may bias results toward cats who tolerated the paste. Small final sample. Single formulation tested. No long-term follow-up.
Questions This Raises
- ?Can more palatable CBD formulations improve compliance in cats?
- ?What is the optimal dose for feline OA?
- ?Would liquid or treat-based formulations reduce dropout?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- CBD reduced cat OA pain significantly, but 46% dropout due to palatability issues
- Evidence Grade:
- Gold-standard crossover RCT design, but very high dropout and small completion sample limit conclusions.
- Study Age:
- 2025 veterinary RCT providing some of the first controlled CBD evidence in cats.
- Original Title:
- Field safety and efficacy study with a cannabidiol/cannabidiol acid-rich hemp paste in cats with osteoarthritic pain.
- Published In:
- Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 27(10), 1098612X251367629 (2025)
- Authors:
- Mulder, Liza M, Deterd Oude Weme, Jeanine, Blees, Niels R, Wakshlag, Joseph J, Hughes, Daniel, Corbee, Ronald Jan
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07202
Evidence Hierarchy
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or placebo groups to test cause and effect.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does CBD help with arthritis pain in cats?
In the 14 cats that completed this study, CBD/CBDA paste significantly reduced pain scores within 2-6 weeks. However, nearly half the enrolled cats refused to eat the paste or vomited, so finding a palatable formulation is critical.
Is CBD safe for cats?
In the cats that tolerated the paste, no changes in blood chemistry were observed after 6 weeks. However, some cats experienced vomiting, and more research on feline-specific safety is needed.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07202APA
Mulder, Liza M; Deterd Oude Weme, Jeanine; Blees, Niels R; Wakshlag, Joseph J; Hughes, Daniel; Corbee, Ronald Jan. (2025). Field safety and efficacy study with a cannabidiol/cannabidiol acid-rich hemp paste in cats with osteoarthritic pain.. Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 27(10), 1098612X251367629. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X251367629
MLA
Mulder, Liza M, et al. "Field safety and efficacy study with a cannabidiol/cannabidiol acid-rich hemp paste in cats with osteoarthritic pain.." Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X251367629
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Field safety and efficacy study with a cannabidiol/cannabidi..." RTHC-07202. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/mulder-2025-field-safety-and-efficacy
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.