Cannabidiol in small animal practice: current evidence, clinical applications and practical recommendations for dogs and cats.

Sano T. · The Journal of small animal practice · 2026

**Background & Methods** This is a mini-review summarizing current clinical evidence for cannabidiol (CBD) use in small animal veterinary practice, specifically in dogs and cats. The review synthesizes recent studies evaluating CBD as an adjunctive therapy for conditions including osteoarthritis, epilepsy, anxiety-related disorders, chronic gingivostomatitis, and behavioral problems. **Key Findings** - CBD may improve pain and mobility in canine osteoarthritis and reduce seizure frequency in refractory epilepsy, though results remain variable across studies - Anxiolytic effects appear more consistent when used for chronic stress conditions compared to acute fear responses in dogs - Limited feline data exists, with preliminary studies evaluating CBD for osteoarthritis-associated pain, chronic gingivostomatitis, behavioral responses, and pharmacokinetics/safety profiles **Dosage & Administration** Not reported. The review indicates that standardized dosing strategies remain to be established through further clinical trials. **Safety & Adverse Effects** Mild adverse effects have been documented in both dogs and cats, including: - Gastrointestinal disturbances - Sedation - Increases in serum alkaline phosphatase activity in dogs (clinical significance uncertain; monitoring recommended during prolonged administration) - Potential drug interactions involving cytochrome P450 pathways when CBD is administered concurrently with other medications **Evidence Quality** Current evidence is limited by several factors: results across studies remain variable, particularly for osteoarthritis and epilepsy applications; feline clinical data are considerably limited with only preliminary studies available; long-term safety data are insufficient; and standardized clinical trial protocols are lacking. The review explicitly identifies the need for further well-controlled clinical trials to establish optimal dosing strategies, confirm long-term safety, and develop evidence-based clinical guidelines. The authors conclude that CBD should be considered cautious, selective use as an adjunctive rather than primary therapy. Strongest evidence currently supports use in canine osteoarthritis and epilepsy, though even these applications require additional research to optimize clinical outcomes and ensure practitioner confidence in recommendations.

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