Hello Hello! I’m Tim, Austin and Kat’s COO and Kat’s husband.

Today, we’re going to dive a bit deeper into the science behind CBDA and all its potential benefits for our four legged friends. If you aren’t familiar with the history of Austin and Kat, why Kat started this 10 years ago, and exactly where Austin is these days, then click here to learn a bit more about us. You’ll soon understand that we’re not like most companies.

We’re family run, independent and employee owned, and we make everything by hand, from start to finish, at our small facility in Seattle. We create the formulas, source all the ingredients, and make in small batches which we have third-party tested for purity and safety. Our warehouse team then gets everything packaged, and shipped - it’s our way to guarantee everything is free from harmful contaminants and also held to the highest standards at every step (and if you know Kat you’ll know she wouldn’t settle for anything less!)

Everything we make was created for one of the (many) pets in our lives. As newer research is published, we’re first to see if these new ingredients can make a meaningful difference to the quality of life of our four-legged friends. After discovering the benefits of CBDA we immediately started using it for our pets - and based on that success, started putting it in all our products. So let’s get into it…

What is CBDA?

CBDA (Cannabidiolic Acid) is a precursor to CBD found in raw hemp plants. It's what we call an "acidic cannabinoid." Through a process called decarboxylation (triggered by heat or time), CBDA converts to CBD.

The Science Behind CBDA for Pets

1. Safe with Non-Psychoactive Properties: A groundbreaking study conducted by the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) in 2023 found no safety concerns associated with CBDA use in pets. Additionally, a pioneering study by Grunfeld and Edery, published in Psychopharmacologia, demonstrated that CBDA is non-impairing in animal studies[1]. Together, these studies support CBDA as a safe, non-psychoactive option for pet wellness. 
2. Enhanced Bioavailability: Research shows that CBDA is absorbed much more efficiently than CBD. A study published in the Journal of Natural Products found that CBDA has a bioavailability 5-11 times higher than CBD when taken orally[2]. For our pets, this means more effective dosing with smaller amounts.
3. Potent Anti-Inflammatory Properties: CBDA has been shown to inhibit COX-2 enzymes, which you might have heard of. These are responsible for producing inflammatory compounds in the body. A study in Drug Metabolism and Disposition demonstrated that CBDA is a selective COX-2 inhibitor[3]. This mechanism is similar to how many anti-inflammatory medications work, which suggests CBDA could be beneficial for pets with arthritis or other inflammatory conditions.
4. Powerful Anti-Nausea (Antiemetic) Effects: Research in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that CBDA was 1000 times more potent than CBD in reducing nausea in animal models[4]. This could be particularly beneficial for pets undergoing treatments that cause nausea or those with digestive issues.
5. Potential Anti-Anxiety (Anxiolytic) Properties: A study in Psychopharmacology suggested that CBDA might be significantly more potent than CBD in reducing anxiety-like behavior in animal models[5]. This could be promising for pets with anxiety issues, such as separation anxiety or noise phobias. And you might laugh, but after reading the science, Kat started taking it too…and it worked!
6. Anticonvulsant Potential: Research published in the Journal of Natural Products indicated that CBDA exhibited anticonvulsant effects in animal models of seizures, and was more potent than CBD[6]. This could be relevant for pets with epilepsy or seizure disorders.

The "Entourage Effect" in Pet Wellness

You might have heard of the "entourage effect" as it’s recently become a bit of a buzzword, but it was first proposed by Raphael Mechoulam and Shimon Ben-Shabat in 1998. It suggests that cannabinoids work synergistically, enhancing each other's beneficial effects. It’s why we focus on whole-plant extracts (without THC, which is a toxin for dogs). When your pet consumes a product with multiple cannabinoids, including CBDA, they're potentially getting a more comprehensive, balanced effect.

Practical Applications for Pets

Based on the current research, CBDA shows promise for:

1. Managing chronic pain and inflammation in conditions like arthritis
2. Reducing nausea in pets undergoing medical treatments or with digestive issues
3. Helping with anxiety-related behaviors
4. Potentially assisting in seizure management

How to Administer CBDA to Pets

At Austin and Kat, we're working on incorporating CBDA into our product line. When using CBDA products:

1. Start with a low dose (about 0.05mg/kg twice daily) and gradually increase if needed.
2. Consistency is key - administer daily for at least 2-4 weeks to see full benefits.
3. CBDA works best when given with food to improve absorption.
4. Store CBDA products in a cool, dark place to preserve potency and prevent conversion to CBD.

Remember, while this research is promising, every pet is unique. Always consult with your veterinarian before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if your pet is on other medications.

We're excited about the potential of CBDA and are committed to continuing our research to bring you the most effective, science-backed products for your pets' wellbeing.

Stay tuned for more updates on our CBDA products - we can't wait to share them with you and your furry friends!

Until next time, keep those tailswagging and whiskers twitching!