Last updated Mar 31, 2023
CBD products have become extremely prolific, particularly for human use. As scientific evidence continues to support the purported health benefits of CBD, its applications have begun to expand.
Many CBD brands have begun to market their products for pets. Though research on the effects of CBD in pets is still somewhat limited, many pet owners swear by CBD for relieving chronic issues like anxiety, pain, and inflammation.
We’ve researched the market and have tested some of the most popular CBD brands on the market to bring you our top picks for the best CBD oil products for cats. Check them out below!
At a Glance: The Best CBD Products for Cats
In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Holistapet
- 100% natural ingredients
- CBD oil tincture and cat treats
- Infused with superfoods
Relievet CBD Oil
- Detailed dosing instructions
- Two CBD oil concentrations
- Affordably priced
Pure Hemp Botanicals CBD
- Three concentrations of CBD oil
- Priced under $0.08/mg of CBD
- Made with Colorado-grown hemp
RestoraPet
- Choose from four different flavors
- Organic, Colorado-grown hemp
- Black pepper extract to increase absorption
Petly CBD
- CBD pet treats and food toppers
- Natural salmon flavor
- High-grade broad-spectrum hemp CBD
CBD Living
- Topical CBD products for pets
- Unique CBD extraction process
- Increased bioavailability up to 90%
Penelope’s Bloom
- Pet-specific CBD company
- Organic, non-GMO hemp CBD
- Packaging made from recycled materials
Joy Organics
- Broad-spectrum organic CBD, THC-free
- CBD oil tincture only has 2 ingredients
- Money-back guarantee
Why Should You Trust Us?
Over the last year or so, we’ve taken the time to research and test some of the top pet CBD brands and the best CBD products on the market for pets.
We’ve delved deep into the scientific evidence regarding CBD for pets and have researched its potential benefits specifically for cats. We read hundreds of customer reviews and performed real-world tests on dozens of different CBD products for pets. We’ve also spent time determining what makes for a reputable CBD company and the best attributes to look for in a high-quality CBD product.
Based on this extensive research and our hands-on testing, we’ve selected the following 8 CBD companies as the best options for cats.
What Is CBD, Anyway?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical compound naturally found in the cannabis plant.
While CBD is found in marijuana (Cannabis indica), it is most highly concentrated in a different strain of cannabis known as hemp (Cannabis sativa).
Cannabidiol is one of over 100 different cannabinoid compounds found in the cannabis plant – another is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. The primary difference between CBD and THC is that cannabidiol is not psychoactive. THC is the compound in marijuana that produces a high.
While CBD doesn’t have psychoactive effects, it does provide a wide array of health benefits.
The Benefits of CBD for Cats
Though scientists are still studying the effects of CBD and the mechanism through which it provides its health benefits, the consensus seems to be that the benefits of CBD have to do with its effect on the endocannabinoid system that can be found in all mammals – including humans and cats.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex cell signaling system that plays a role in regulating a variety of essential bodily processes such as sleep, appetite, and mood.
The ECS is made up of three primary components:
- Cannabinoid receptors
- Endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids)
- Enzymes that act on endocannabinoids
In order to function properly, the body produces endocannabinoids which bind to various cannabinoid receptors to deliver signals to that trigger a certain response in the body. Enzymes play a role in synthesizing these endocannabinoids and they are responsible for breaking them own after they’ve fulfilled their biological purpose.
Here are some of the potential benefits of CBD for cats:
- Relief from anxiety
- Reduced inflammation
- Relief from chronic pain
- Stimulated appetite
- Slowed cancer spread
- Relief from nausea
- Reduced seizure activity
The efficacy of CBD depends on several factors. Some of these benefits may be obtained through fairly low doses (like anxiety relief) while other health issues may require a higher dose (like seizure disorders). There’s also a difference between full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD which we’ll discuss below.
What To Look For in a CBD Brand for Cats
While CBD has been widely studied for human use (including mouse and rat studies), research involving companion pets like cats and dogs is very limited.
Here are some things to consider when shopping for pet CBD:
- High-quality hemp
- Broad spectrum vs. full spectrum
- Third-party lab testing
- Clear dosing instructions
- Easy administration
Now, let’s take a closer look at each of these factors.
1. High-Quality Hemp
The best CBD products are made from high-quality hemp CBD. Most CBD products are made from industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) versus marijuana (Cannabis indica). This results in a final product that contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight which is now legal in the United States.
Some of the larger CBD brands on the market grow their own hemp while others outsource, largely from Colorado. Many companies use organic hemp-derived CBD which is very high in quality.
2. Broad Spectrum vs. Full Spectrum
These terms simply refer to the chemical makeup of the CBD. Full-spectrum CBD retains all of its natural chemical compounds including over 100 cannabinoids (including THC), various terpenes, and other compounds. Broad-spectrum CBD, on the other hand, is processed to remove the THC.
It’s largely a matter of preference whether you choose broad-spectrum or full-spectrum CBD for your cat. Even full-spectrum CBD contains less than 0.3% THC by weight and is unlikely to produce any psychoactive effects. Some evidence suggests that full-spectrum CBD is more effective due to a concept known as the entourage effect.
3. Third-Party Lab Testing
Quality is essential when purchasing CBD, but you shouldn’t just take the company’s word for it. Trustworthy CBD companies have their products tested by independent third-party labs to verify the purity and potency of their products. These lab results should be available on the brand’s website.
4. Clear Dosing Instructions
There are no specific dosing instructions for CBD in either people or pets, but the CBD brand you choose should still provide recommendations on the label. Some of the larger CBD brands that rebrand their products for pets offer limited dosing instructions while others, including several pet-specific CBD brands, offer more detailed recommendations based on your cat’s size and what you’re trying to treat.
5. Easy Administration
For the most part, administering CBD is easy – you just drop it directly into your cat’s mouth or add it to his food. To make administration easy, most CBD companies sell their CBD oils in glass bottles with an included dropper to control the dosage.
The Top 8 CBD Brands for Cats
We’ve researched the market and tested some of the most popular CBD brands out there to bring you our top picks for the best CBD brands for cats.
#1 Overall Best: Holistapet
When it comes to high-quality CBD products, Holistapet is one of the biggest names in the business. Their all-natural CBD products are crafted with premium Colorado hemp and infused with superfoods to maximize the benefits for your cat. Choose from three unique formulas in three delicious flavors.
For the traditional-minded, Holistapet offers a CBD oil for cats and dogs in five different concentrations ranging from 150mg to 3,000mg. They also offer calming chews for dogs and are one of the only pet CBD companies we’ve come across that offers CBD cat treats specifically marketed for cats.
#2 Runner-Up: Relievet CBD Oil
Our second favorite CBD brand for cats is Relievet because they offer the most detailed dosing instructions we’ve seen. Relievet offers two concentrations of CBD oil for cats (150mg and 400mg) with dosing instructions per 5 pounds of body weight. They also include detailed recommendations for specific conditions you may be trying to treat such as anxiety, arthritis, and seizures.
#3 Budget Pick: Pure Hemp Botanicals CBD
Most CBD products for pets are similar when you get down to the bare bones details of it all. If you’re just looking for a basic CBD oil tincture to keep your cat calm or relieve pain, there’s no reason to pay an arm and a leg for it.
Pure Hemp Botanicals offers three different concentrations for pets, all of which are priced under $0.08 per milligram of CBD. All of their products are made with Colorado-grown industrial hemp and are completely free from additives.
#4 Best CBD Oil: RestoraPet
The most common method of administration for CBD in cats is by mouth as an oil tincture. As a cat owner, you know how picky cats can be but even the most finicky feline will love RestoraPet’s flavored CBD oils. Their best CBD oil for cats come in bacon, beef, and tuna flavors and an unflavored option.
Choose from a variety of concentrations in RestoraPet’s CBD oil tinctures as well. All CBD oils are made with organic, Colorado-grown hemp oil with organic black pepper extract for maximum absorption.
#5 Best Edible CBD: Petly CBD
If your cat doesn’t like the flavor of CBD oil, you may be looking for an edible alternative. Petly CBD offers both CBD pet treats and CBD food toppers for both dogs and cats. Their CBD Cat Food Topper features a natural salmon flavor and contains 450mg per container – about 15mg per serving.
Petly’s cat food topper is made with high-grade broad-spectrum CBD and is completely free from corn, wheat, soy, pesticides and fillers. Simply sprinkle ½ scoop over your cat’s food as needed.
#6 Best Topical CBD: CBD Living
While many pet owners prefer to administer CBD by mouth, cannabidiol can also be very beneficial when applied topically – especially for your pet’s skin. CBD Living offers an assortment of topical CBD products for pets including shampoo, conditioner, hot spot foam, and nose/foot salve.
CBD Living uses nanotechnology in their CBD extraction process to create some of the purest, most potent CBD products on the market. This process increases the bioavailability of their CBD up to 90%.
#7 Best Full-Spectrum Hemp CBD: Penelope’s Bloom
When it comes to high-quality CBD products for pets, Penelope’s Bloom is one of our favorites. Not only do they offer a variety of pet CBD products, but they actually specialize in them – this is a pet-specific CBD company. They offer full-spectrum CBD oil tinctures as well as CBD treats and a moisturizing CBD balm.
Penelope’s Bloom works with one of the highest quality hemp producers on the market, so all of their products are organic, non-GMO, human-grade, vegan, and cruelty-free. They also user eco-conscious ingredients and their packaging is made with recycled materials.
#8 Best Broad-Spectrum CBD: Joy Organics
If you prefer a broad-spectrum CBD product to eliminate the already-minimal risk for intoxication, check out Joy Organics line of pet products. Joy Organics offers both CBD pet chews and a Premium CBD Pet Tincture that contains 450mg of organic broad-spectrum hemp seed oil.
Their CBD tinctures contain 0.0% THC – the only ingredient aside from CBD is the organic olive oil used as a carrier. Joy Organics offers a money-back guarantee, and their products are third-party lab tested.
Relevant Articles:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CBD safe for cats?
Though there is limited scientific evidence regarding the safety or efficacy of CBD for cats, anecdotal reports seem to indicate it is safe for furry friends. More research is required, however, to determine the best dosage for treating various conditions as well as the efficacy of CBD for pets.
Will CBD calm my cat down?
One of the most well-documented benefits of CBD is its anxiolytic or anxiety-reducing effect. Though these effects are primarily studied in humans, CBD may help relieve some of your cat’s anxiety.
How much CBD should I give my cat?
Because scientific testing regarding CBD for cats is limited, there are no specific dosing recommendations. General recommendations are between 1mg and 5mg of CBD per 10 pounds of body weight. Talk to your veterinarian if you’re not sure how much to give your feline friend.
What are the side effects of CBD for cats?
Generally speaking, CBD is considered safe for cats in small doses. That being said, some cats exhibit mild side effects such as drowsiness, increased thirst, stomach upset, and diarrhea.
