5 Best CBD Oil for Cats (2021 Reviews)

IN THIS GUIDECBD Oil v Hemp Oil5 Best CBD Oil for Cats AlternativesCat Attitudes PicksBuster’s Organic Hemp Oil for Dogs & CatsBillion Pets Pure Organic Hemp OilKinpur Hemp Love Pet Hemp OilAll Natural Paws Hemp Seed Oil for Cats & DogsR+R Medicinals Organic Hemp Oil Extract for PetsWhat is in CBD oil?Why would I give my cat CBD oil?Is CBD legal?Is CBD good for cats?Final Thoughts

I live in a college town. Without consulting Google or Yelp, I can guarantee four businesses that exist in every college town: pizza place, coffee shop, dive bars…and a smoke shop. For the uninitiated, this is where you can purchase Bob Marley merch and vaguely-described paraphernalia useful for smoking tobacco [legal], or cannabis [illegal, sort of]. It was outside of our local smoke shop that I saw what I estimated to be the craziest thing I had ever seen in our small college town.

Cat Attitudes is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

“CBD for pets.” Step right in and get your pets that good high! It turns out that is not at all what CBD is or does, but the whole thing seemed wild to me. And, as cannabis laws are changing across the U.S., and opinions are softening on its recreational use, we are finding out just how many different uses the cannabis plant can have.

Activity

That’s where CBD comes in. CBD oil for cats is a non-psychoactive supplement that is said by its proponents to reduce chronic joint pain and settle anxiety. The cannabis plant has numerous chemical components, which have varying effects on the human (and feline) body. The two main components are THC (tetra-hydro-cannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is what gives marijuana its familiar psychoactive properties. CBD reduces side-effects of high anxiety from THC, and can have some stimulant properties.

CBD Oil v Hemp Oil

For purposes of this buying guide, this is an important distinction. Most of our guides feature products that you can purchase directly from Amazon. We do this in part because Amazon is a familiar, quick, and easy platform for most people to use. However, there’s one problem when it comes to CBD oil for pets: Amazon forbids the sale of CBD oil on their site. You will not find anything marketed as CBD oil on Amazon. (Green Wellness Life has a great article about why this is the case.)

However, products marketed as “hemp oil” are allowed on Amazon. Because CBD is not allowed, hemp oil products should not contain CBD and can make no reference to CBD. (Or at least, only thinly veiled reference. Check out this 2019 article from Washington Post about how some CBD oil may still be slipping through and being sold on Amazon.)

If you’re looking for the purported therapeutic benefits of CBD, you have two options. There are several online storefronts that sell CBD oil for cats. Here are a few we came up with:

• cbdMD
• Innovet
• Holistapet

Alternately, if you’re looking for the convenience of Amazon, hemp oil is marketed as having many of the same potential benefits as CBD oil, and is often paired with complimentary supplements.

Here’s the rub: cannabis derivatives, such as CBD and hemp oil, are not yet approved by the FDA. This means that testing on their efficacy is still very much in progress. (Also worth noting, the FDA only tests supplements for safety, not efficacy.) So, using any of these products comes down to your own discretion as a cat owner. You’ll need to do your own research, and monitor the effects of these products on your own cats, to see if they work as advertised.

We have provided a few options for CBD oil above. The buying guide below will be for hemp oil options that you can easily purchase on Amazon. With that, let’s get to it!

5 Best CBD Oil for Cats Alternatives

Cat Attitudes Picks

Buster’s Organic Hemp Oil for Dogs & Cats

The first hemp oil on our list is Buster’s Oranic Hemp Oil for Dogs & Cats. This CBD oil for cats alternative is one of the more potent formulations on our list. Just like with concentrations of any substance, higher concentration just means lower dose of the solution to get the same effect. Buster’s also sells smaller 30,000mg formulations.

Buster’s claims to support “pain relief, reduced separation anxiety, happier moods, hip & joint health, calm joyful energy, and reduced chronic inflammation.” It also has added Omega-3 and Omega-6, which have overlapping inflammation and anxiety benefits.

In terms of reliability, Buster’s is made in the U.S., cold-pressed to ensure clean extraction of hemp oil, and is made in a Good Manufacturing Practices-certified facility. This product has a 4.2 rating on Amazon, with many customers saying that they have seen improvements in their dogs and cats.

Manufacturers Specs

• Size: 2 oz bottle
• Ingredients: Hemp seed oil, Omega 3, Omega 6
• Dosing: .25 mL daily

What We Like

• Some forms of accountability for clean manufacturing

What We Don’t Like

• Dropper might be difficult to administer.

Summary

Buster’s Organic Hemp Oil for Dogs & Cats is a potent solution, with added Omega fatty acids, designed to support inflammation and mood.

Billion Pets Pure Organic Hemp Oil

Our second CBD oil for cats alternative is Billion Pets Pure Organic Hemp Oil. Similar to Buster’s offering, this is a liquid supplement delivered by a dropper. This supplement is a 75,000mg formulation. The product is marketed for both dogs and cats (as are several on this list). Dosages are by weight, so be sure to use the dose that is appropriate for the weight of your cat.

Billion Pets claims to help with pain, anxiety, and with healthy coat and skin. Likely, this supplement contains the same Omega-3 and -6 as Buster’s, along with Omega-9, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E. (Do be mindful of oversupplementing your cat with Vitamin C–more on that here.)

This hemp oil supplement is non-GMO, and is grown and produced in the USA. Billion Pets also ensure that the product is examined by a third party laboratory. They recommend that pet owners allow 4-6 weeks to start seeing noticeable results from the hemp oil supplement. This product has a 4.4 rating on Amazon. Many customers say that this supplement has worked for them, with a few suspecting that it works better for milder needs.

Manufacturers Specs

• Size: 1 oz bottle
• Ingredients: Hemp seed oil, Omega 3, Omega 6, Omega 9, Vitamin C, Vitamin E
• Dosing: .25 mL or less daily

What We Like

• 3rd party examination
• Several vitamins present

What We Don’t Like

• May only work for mild needs
• Watch the presence of other vitamins

Summary

With a more potent formulation and the addition of some further supplements, Billion Pets Pure Organic Hemp Oil is another option for a CBD oil alternative.

Kinpur Hemp Love Pet Hemp Oil

No products found.

Third on this list is Kinpur Hemp Love Pet Hemp Oil, a 350,000mg formulation. (Again, I would be somewhat skeptical of the use of large numbers to indicate potency. It seems that the size of the bottle and other factors level out the dosages to a similar potency.) Like others on the list, Kinpur works for both dogs and cats. This dropper-based supplement can be administered orally, topically, in food, and with treats. (We’ve got some ideas for treats you could use, too

The list of benefits for Kinpur is similar to others, including pain relief, stress reduction, and mood improvement. Kinpur adds that their supplement helps with immune support, stimulate appetites, and even reduces seizures. This is an impressive list of benefits to be sure. Be sure to consult with your vet as you use this or any other product, and bear in mind that traditional pharmaceuticals may still be part of your vet’s treatment strategy.

Ingredients are organic and non-GMO, grown and made in the US. This product is less clear than others as to what ingredients are included. There are at least Omega-3, -6, and -9, as well as Vitamin E. This product has a 4.5 rating on Amazon. Several customers have had good luck with Kinpur, though some point out that the dropper is subpar.

Manufacturers Specs

• Size: 2 oz bottle
• Ingredients: Hemp seed oil, Omega 3, Omega 6, Omega 9, Vitamin E
• Dosing: .25 mL or less daily

What We Like

• Mentions potential for help with seizures

What We Don’t Like

• Low quality dropper

Summary

Kinpur Hemp Love Hemp Oil Extract has many of the same features as other oils on this list for a much lower price.

All Natural Paws Hemp Seed Oil for Cats & Dogs

Next up on our list of CBD oil for cats alternatives is All Natural Paws Hemp Seed Oil for Cats & Dogs. The bottle is 40,000mg over 2 oz. Perhaps more strikingly than the other supplements on this list, All Natural Pets has a long list of health claims on its copy.

Pain & arthritis relief and anxiety reduction still sit prominently, but cardiovascular benefits and digestion help are also included in their list. These benefits might be difficult for the average pet owner to notice, but could be worth looking into. All Natural Paws, as the name might suggest, has a long list of “non-“s and “-free”s. Their hemp oil supplement is “cruelty-free, additive free, gluten-free, GMO-free, non-toxic, paraben-free, and organic.”

Many of these supplements appear to have added components to boost their effectiveness (omega fatty acids, for example). All Natural Paws have done the same, including cod liver oil, which contains more Omega fatty acids. This product has a 4.5 rating on Amazon. The reviews are overall positive, with one saying that the product did not work for them and had an unappealing taste for their pet.

Manufacturers Specs

• Size: 2 oz bottle
• Ingredients: Hemp seed oil, cod liver oil, Omega 3, Omega 6, Omega 9
• Dosing: 1/8 dropper

What We Like

• Appeals to those who like natural products
• Cod liver oil to boost benefits

What We Don’t Like

• Not a large number of Amazon reviews yet

Summary

If a natural product with added cod liver oil sounds like appealing to you, and you don’t mind using a potentially new product, check out All Natural Paws Hemp Seed Oil for Cats & Dogs.

R+R Medicinals Organic Hemp Oil Extract for Pets

The final product on this list is my contender for the best CBD oil for cats alternative. R+R Medicinals is a small company out of Colorado that makes a wide variety of hemp products. (They make basically a higher dose version for people!) The pet version is listed as 500mg potency, in a 1 mL bottle.

R+R seems to be the most realistic about the potential benefits and most helpful about administering their product. Benefits are focused on anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety. (The added grapeseed oil is good for your cat’s coat, too!) They recommend consulting with your vet as you administer this product. They are also the only manufacturer to address the possibility for hyperactivity as a result of administering hemp oil. Completely normal for too high a dose, they say–dial it back significantly and work your way back up!

R+R also has a very reputable process for their hemp oil. They use a cold, CO² – based extraction method to keep nutrients in tact. They are up-front in reminding users that these products are unregulated by the FDA, and are not claiming to cure diseases. On their website, they offer real lab results of multiple batches of each of their different products if you want to see for yourself.

Manufacturers Specs

• Size: 1 oz bottle
• Ingredients: Hemp seed oil, grapeseed oil, Omega 3, Omega 6, Omega 9
• Dosing: ~10 drops

What We Like

• Seems the most reputable of the products by far
• Clear directions to tailor dosing

What We Don’t Like

• Much pricier than other options

Summary

If you’re nervous to dip your toes into the world of hemp-based products, R+R offers a reputable and polished product, if you don’t mind the price.

What is in CBD oil?

That’s a great question. I’ll break it down into two sections: what is CBD? and what else is in CBD oil?

As discussed a little bit at the beginning of this article, CBD stands for cannabidiol. This is one of the primary components of cannabis, and moderates the effects of the more psychoactive THC (what causes highs). So, when you have a bottle of CBD oil or a product including CBD oil, what you should have is an extract from the hemp plant. This extract claims to have several health benefits, and should not make you drowsy or high.

But, perhaps your question is what else is in CBD oil? There are several considerations. First off, know how many chemical components of the cannabis plant your CBD includes. Full spectrum CBD includes everything, including the trace amounts of THC found in the non-marijuana cannabis plant (i.e. not enough to make you high). Broad spectrum includes everything but the THC. CBD isolate is just the CBD without THC or any other chemical components.

What does it matter? The components of cannabis are known to work better together. The more you isolate CBD, the more likely you won’t have any THC in your system, but you may be missing out on those components working together.

Additionally, you will likely also find a “carrier oil” in your CBD. For those of you familiar with the world of essential oils, it’s the same thing. Pairing CBD with another oil, such as grapeseed oil, increases its absorption. Some may include supplements, as we saw with the pet supplements we reviewed above.

At the end of the day, it’s worth repeating that this is a new frontier for supplements, and groups like the FDA. It’s so important for individuals to do their research and read labels to ensure they’re comfortable with what they’re giving their cats.

Why would I give my cat CBD oil?

How does CBD oil work? Why would I give it to my cat?

We’ve already touched a few times on the active ingredient, CBD. According to a study in the European Journal of Pain, CBD applied topically on rats reduced the biomarkers that lead to inflammation in joints.

Similarly, a study in the British Journal of Pharmacology indicates that CBD had antidepressant effects on mice similar to known antidepressant drugs, possibly by interacting with seratonin receptors in the brain.

So, by having chemical interactions in the body, CBD is thought to have anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties. Therefore, the reason you’d give them to your cat is the same reason a human would decide to use them. They are a more naturally-derived substance that is supposed to have the same effects as drugs, without the side-effects. Strong pain medication and anti-depressants especially can create chemical dependency that is dangerous and difficult to counteract.

If you have an older cat that is moving slowly as a result of arthritis, a cat that is scared of thunderstorms, or just has anxiety issues in general (a common issue for cats), and those symptoms haven’t escalated massively, you could see why CBD oil for anxiety might be worth a try.

Is CBD legal?

I’m not a lawyer, but here’s a lawyer answer for you: it depends. There are a few good articles out there (here and here) that talk about the weird legal status of CBD oil and other cannabis products. Most of this has to do with the conflict of federal and state law regarding the manufacture, sale, purchase, and possession of cannabis products.

Federally in the United States, marijuana (cannabis with the psychoactive THC) is a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, and is illegal. Prior to 2018, permits and exemptions were required for cannabis to be grown, mostly by research entities. With the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp is allowed to be grown for industrial purposes.

While CBD is different from marijuana in that it does not include significant amounts of THC, it is still regulated the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a federal agency. Cannabis derivatives, such as CBD and hemp oil, are not approved by the FDA. This means that they can make virtually no claims about being effective treatment for anything.

To quote the FDA, CBD products cannot have “claimed to prevent, diagnose, mitigate, treat or cure serious diseases.” (You can check out the full article here. While the FDA claims to be investigating the best pathway for these products to be researched and marketed to their fullest therapeutic potential, that time has not arrived.

I highly recommend the two articles linked above. The short answer is, laws conflict regarding CBD and marijuana in general. Generally speaking, look into the laws in your particular state, and be especially careful if you plan to travel between states.

Is CBD good for cats?

We’ve discussed the potential health benefits for CBD for cats in great detail throughout this article. The fact of the matter is, though, no studies have been conducted on the effects of CBD in cats. That means, all we really have to go on is anecdotal evidence from vets and pet owners.

From the research we and others have done, it appears that CBD oil is perfectly safe for cats. There can be some side-effects from extremely high doses, but nothing has proven to be harmful yet. (Bearing in mind, as stated earlier, that the world of CBD oil is largely unregulated. While CBD itself may not be harmful to cats, added components in a supplement might be.)

Final Thoughts

Are you and your cat going to get stoned tonight with some CBD oil? No. Might CBD oil be a useful remedy to help with your cat’s arthritis and anxiety? Maybe! If you’re looking to explore and try out the interesting world of CBD oil for pets, we’ve done some serious research for you. We hope it’s helpful. As always, but especially with such a new and unregulated area, consult with your vet and do your research. We wish your kitties the best of health!