Is CBD Good for Your Pet?

If you have a pet, they’re part of your family. Many would even say their puppy or kitten is their baby, species aside. So as the evidence supporting CBD’s therapeutic benefits grows, many pet parents are wondering whether CBD can help treat their canine or feline counterparts. Well, as with the research into cannabis in general, there really haven’t been enough studies to say definitively. (Despite W. E. Dixon publishing the first research into cannabis use in pets way back in 1899). One notable exception is a double-blind placebo-controlled study conducted at Cornell University which found that CBD effectively treated 85%(!) of dogs suffering from osteoarthritis, and a new study sponsored by the American Kennel Club is being done at Colorado State University’s Veterinary School to try and determine the efficacy CBD use in dogs with treatment resistant seizures. But although not many studies have been conducted, there is certainly a plethora of anecdotal evidence out there that suggests CBD can be as good for your critter companions as it is for your bipedal buddies. Whether your pet has seizures, tumors, or a case of the jitters, CBD seems to be helping. And it’s not just dogs and cats that are being treated with hemp products—ancient Greeks used it to horses for colic (amongst other things), hemp seeds and oils are used in birds for inflammation and balanced nutrition (hemp seeds have been used in bird feed forever—until the 2018 Farm Bill this was the only legal use for any part of hemp since the beginning of cannabis prohibition in the 1930s), and out in San Pedro, California one cannabis company owner even treated a box turtle for a shell condition!

The endocannabinoid receptors that allow humans to benefit from the therapeutic effects of cannabis are also found in just about every animal species on the planet—even slugs! But when you are trying to decide whether or not treating your pet with CBD is worth a shot, remember that, even though your pet may be your best friend, they have their own unique anatomy and physiology and react differently to medicines than we do. For instance, even though you might find the THC in cannabis to be one of its biggest selling points, your pooch would likely disagree. Because dogs have a higher concentration of cannabinoid receptors in their brainstem and cerebellum than any other species—areas that control motor function, breathing, and heart rate amongst other things—they are more sensitive to cannabinoids like THC. This means that dogs are more likely to suffer from negative side effects like urinary incontinence, ataxia (stumbling), and/or disorientation after ingesting the psychoactive substance. Cats, on the other hand, react to THC overdoses much in the same way as humans—think of that time you ingested too much and felt paranoid and/or lethargic. (These effects are often exaggerated in cats due to their small stature). Seeing your pup stumble about bewilderedly might be scary, especially because they can’t tell you what’s wrong, but the very (very) few reported cases of death involve ingestion of other toxic substances like chocolate. You should absolutely bring your buddy to a vet, who might give intravenous fluids or activated charcoal in worst case scenarios, but treatment for overdose should be pretty painless—for you and your baby. Dogs, like humans, can usually go sleep it off.

So, you’ve decided you want to give CBD a try to relieve your buddy’s suffering, now what do you look for? As with any medication (for you or your furry—or feathery or scaly—friends) you should be consulting their medical provider (i.e. their vet). It’s very important to work out a safe and effective dose with a professional—some vets are even starting to specialize in cannabis treatments—because of your pet’s increased sensitivity to cannabinoids. Dosing is done by weight, and doses are often split in half to be given twice daily. Some argue that it is best to only use hemp derived products because by law hemp must have less than 0.3% THC, thus decreasing the risk of THC overdose. That being said, because of its legal status, cannabis is much more strictly regulated which may make finding out exactly where the product comes from easier. (Side note: for more information on the benefits of cannabis vs. hemp sourced CBD products check out our blog posts CBD and Hemp: Rope or Dope). Additionally, cannabis has higher concentrations of CBD making extraction more efficient which often means more cost effective products. Regardless of where you’re getting your products you should be looking for a Certificate of Analysis that provides information on cannabinoid content, presence of heavy metals or pesticides, and presence of any pathogenic microbes. If the product hasn’t been tested, don’t use it. (This is true of products for both you and your pets).

Basically, if you’re going to try and treat your precious pet with CBD products, follow the same tenets you’d use in treating yourself; find a safe and reliable product, consult a medical professional, and always start low and go slow!