The CBD industry has exploded in recent years, with many claiming that it can help remedy a variety of illnesses and diseases in people. But what about pets? Research has shown that cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid receptors (Trusted Source) located in the central and peripheral nervous systems. This helps maintain balance in the body and keep it in a healthy state. Let’s dive into more details about what CBD is and what to expect when giving it to your pet.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in cannabis and hemp. It’s important to note that CBD does not contain delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound that gives marijuana its psychoactive properties.
It’s a popular supplement for humans and has been increasingly common for pets, too. CBD is known to help with pain, anxiety, and even symptom management during cancer treatments. But, there’s a lot more to know before deciding to give it to your pet.
Dog CBD products can come in many different forms, including capsules, oils, treats, and salves.
Like with any medicine or supplement, there’s the possibility of side effects when giving your pup CBD. Below are some of the most worrisome risks to be aware of:
Lack of regulation. The FDA hasn’t given official guidance or recommendations yet for CBD. While some states allow the usage, others have banned it completely. This lack of regulation leads CBD businesses and distributors to determine safety standards largely on their own.
Lack of research. So far there’s limited research about CBD’s effectiveness in humans — and even less about how it might affect pets.
Drug interactions. CBD has strong effects on a variety of metabolic enzymes. This could potentially cause side effects, especially when combined with other drugs or medications.
Adverse side effects. The main side effects of CBD usage in dogs include nausea and fatigue. In humans, it can increase blood thinning and affect other medicines in your blood by competing for the liver enzymes that break them down.
Liver problems. Some research has pointed to the potential implications of CBD for a pet’s liver, suggesting it may cause elevated liver enzymes.
Marijuana poisoning. While CBD might be safe for pets, marijuana is not. Anything that contains THC is highly toxic to pets. Symptoms of marijuana poisoning include:
There’s a lot of anecdotal evidence to suggest that CBD can help dogs and cats, but there isn't a lot of safety or dosing data available.
Dr. Erica Irish
CBD use might come with health benefits for both people and pet owners. However, per the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), (Trusted Source) few studies have evaluated the long-term clinical effects of CBD use in dogs. Some of the suspected benefits include the following:
Anxiety. Studies and clinical trials are exploring the common report that CBD can reduce anxiety in both humans and animals.
Osteoarthritis pain. One recent clinical trial proved the efficacy of CBD when used to manage joint pain in dogs with arthritis. 80% of dogs in the trial experienced an improvement in pain and mobility.
Seizures. While some early studies are promising, there’s a lot that isn’t yet known. The AKC Canine Health Foundation is currently sponsoring an ongoing study about this.
Pain management during cancer treatments. Investigative trials are currently underway to determine the effects CBD has on cancer and chemotherapy treatment.
Itchiness. A few recent studies have indicated that cannabinoids may help dogs suffering from various skin conditions, such as minor wounds, rashes, and hair loss.
According to our vet, Dr. Erica Irish, more information is needed. “There’s a lot of anecdotal evidence to suggest that CBD can help dogs and cats, but there isn’t a lot of safety or dosing data available.”
Currently, many vets can’t legally recommend CBD products for their patients. New research might be able to change this.
The FDA hasn’t approved the use of CBD in pets. If you decide to move forward with CBD products anyway, here’s what to look for:
CBD oil is derived from either marijuana or hemp. Where it derives from affects its legality within the U.S. Marijuana-derived CBD will contain large amounts of THC — the component that leads to a “high” — making it illegal in states that have restrictions on marijuana use. CBD oil derived from hemp has a THC quantity of almost 0%, making it legal within most of the U.S.
But just because hemp-derived CBD oil may be legal doesn’t mean it can be grown at will. The plant must not have a THC percentage over 0.3%, and you need a federal law license to grow it.
CBD legalization has had a unique history since its first recorded use in 1400 BC.
Keep up your daily exercise — Responding to routine commands distracts the dog and provides a sense of normalcy. Plus, physical activities like walking or playing fetch help both you and your dog release tension.
Use a calming coat or t-shirt — Calming coats fit snugly around your dog’s torso to help calm them when they’re anxious.
Pet-safe pain relievers — Never give your dog over-the-counter human-grade pain pills. If necessary, your vet can prescribe your pet a safe prescription medication for their pain.
Try music therapy — Turning on music can help your dog feel calmer and encourage them to relax. There are even certain genres that have been proven to be more soothing, such as reggae, soft rock, and classical music.
Give them a safe space to relax — Everyone wants a safe place to retreat when feeling overwhelmed, including your pup. Make sure they have a spot they can go to when they need to decompress.
Hemp can legally contain up to 0.3% THC, so if your dog ingests a large amount of a CBD product, mild THC toxicity can occur.
While there’s a lot of anecdotal evidence to suggest it has some potential benefits, veterinarians are currently unable to legally recommend CBD products to their patients.
If your dog ingests too much CBD at one time, it’s possible to have a mild THC toxicity reaction. This can potentially lead to vomiting, lethargy, stumbling, and body tremors.
Yes, it’s been shown that CBD can help calm an anxious or stressed dog, just like in humans. That said, more research is needed to determine whether or not CBD is safe for dogs.
