# Evaluation of Cannabidiol Oil’s Effects on Sedation, Behavioral Responses to Handling, and Nociceptive Thresholds in Healthy Cats

## TL;DR

This study found that CBD oil mildly sedates healthy cats and improves their compliance during handling without affecting pain sensitivity or vital signs.

## Contribution

The study provides the first empirical evaluation of CBD's effects on sedation and behavior in cats.

## Key findings

- CBD induced mild sedation in cats 2, 4, and 8 hours after administration.
- CBD reduced handling resistance and improved compliance without altering pain thresholds.
- CBD did not affect heart rate, respiratory rate, or body temperature in cats.

## Abstract

This study aimed to provide an initial assessment of the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) oil on sedation, compliance during handling, temperament, and mechanical nociceptive thresholds in healthy cats. Nine adult cats were administered 8 mg/kg of CBD, and their responses were monitored over a 24 h period. The results revealed a mild but significant sedative effect, with increased sedation scores 2, 4, and 8 h post administration. Compliance and temperament scores were reduced 2 and 4 h post administration. CBD did not significantly alter mechanical nociceptive thresholds or physiological parameters, including heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature. These findings suggest that CBD induces mild sedation and enhances compliance without affecting nociceptive thresholds or physiological stability.

This study explored the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on clinically relevant parameters, including sedation, compliance, and temperament, as well as mechanical nociceptive thresholds in healthy cats. Nine client-owned cats (3.44 ± 2.35 years, mean ± standard deviation) were assessed prior to (baseline) and 30 min, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after oral administration of 8 mg/kg CBD oil via capsule. Sedation scores increased significantly 2, 4, and 8 h post administration compared to baseline (all medians = 1 vs. 0 at baseline; p < 0.001). Compliance and temperament scores were significantly reduced 2 and 4 h post dosing, with median scores decreasing from 1 at baseline to 0 after 2 and 4 h for both parameters (p < 0.001 and p = 0.012, respectively). Mechanical nociceptive thresholds and sensitivity, assessed using an algometer and von Frey filaments, respectively, along with physiological parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature), remained unchanged across timepoints. These results indicate that 8 mg/kg CBD induces mild sedation and reduces handling resistance in healthy cats without affecting nociceptive thresholds or physiological stability. Therefore, CBD may facilitate non-painful procedures requiring animal cooperation; further controlled studies are warranted to confirm these findings.