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Serum Cannabinoid 24 h and 1 Week Steady State Pharmacokinetic Assessment in Cats Using a CBD/CBDA Rich Hemp Paste
Tongxin Wang1, Alex Zakharov2, Beatriz Gomez2
1Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States.
Insights
This study found that a hemp-based oral paste containing cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) is safe for short-term use in cats. Acidic cannabinoids like CBDA showed superior absorption compared to non-acidic forms.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pharmacology
- Cannabinoid Research
- Animal Health
Background:
- Hemp-based cannabinoids are increasingly used in veterinary medicine for conditions like pain and anxiety in dogs and cats.
- Limited research exists on the efficacy and pharmacokinetics of hemp cannabinoids, particularly cannabidiol (CBD), in cats.
- Existing data on chronic dosing and serum concentrations of cannabinoids in cats is sparse.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the physiological and pharmacokinetic response of cats to a CBD and CBDA-rich hemp oral paste.
- To assess steady-state serum concentrations after 24-hour and 1-week dosing regimens.
- To determine the safety profile of short-term administration of this hemp-based product in cats.
Main Methods:
- Eight cats received a palatable oral paste containing specific doses of CBD and CBDA.
- Pharmacokinetic parameters including maximal concentration and half-life were determined for CBD and CBDA.
- Serum concentrations were analyzed after 1 week of twice-daily dosing, and physical, behavioral, and bloodwork assessments were conducted.
Main Results:
- CBDA demonstrated superior absorption compared to CBD, with higher serum concentrations and longer half-life.
- Acidic cannabinoid forms were approximately double the concentration of non-acidic forms after 1 week of treatment.
- No adverse neurological or behavioral events were observed; bloodwork indicated no clinically significant hepatic or renal alterations.
Conclusions:
- The tested hemp-based oral paste formulation may offer superior cannabinoid absorption in cats compared to oil bases.
- Acidic forms of cannabinoids appear to be better absorbed than non-acidic forms in this feline model.
- Short-term administration of this CBD and CBDA-rich hemp paste is suggested to be safe in cats.
Abstract:
Hemp based cannabinoids have gained popularity in veterinary medicine due to the potential to treat pain, seizure disorders and dermatological maladies in dogs. Cat owners are also using hemp-based products for arthritis, anxiety and neoplastic disorders with no studies assessing hemp cannabinoids, namely cannabidiol efficacy, for such disorders. Initial twenty-four pharmacokinetic and chronic dosing serum concentration in cats are sparse. The aim of our study was to assess 8 cats physiological and 24 h and 1-week steady state pharmacokinetic response to a cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) rich hemp in a palatable oral paste. Using a standard dose of paste (6.4 mg/CBD + CBDA 5.3 mg/gram) across 8 cats weighing between 4.2 and 5.4 kg showed an average maximal concentration of CBD at 282.0 ± 149.4 ng/mL with a half-life of ~2.1 ± 1.1 h, and CBDA concentrations of 1,011.3 ± 495.4 ng/mL with a half-life of ~2.7 ± 1.4 h, showing superior absorption of CBDA. After twice daily dosing for 1 week the serum concentrations 6 h after a morning dosing showed that the acidic forms of the cannabinoids were approximately double the concentration of the non-acidic forms like CBD and Δ9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The results of this study compared to two other recent studies suggest that the absorption in this specific paste product may be superior to oil bases used previously, and show that the acidic forms of cannabinoids appear to be absorbed better than the non-acidic forms. More importantly, physical and behavioral examinations every morning after dosing showed no adverse events related to neurological function or behavioral alterations. In addition, bloodwork after 1 week of treatment showed no clinically significant serum biochemical alterations as a reflection of hepatic and renal function all remaining within the reference ranges set by the diagnostic laboratory suggesting that short-term treatment was safe.
