In human medicine, cannabidiol, or CBD, has been thoroughly investigated. Although the advantages and practicality of CBD for animals are less widely known, there are a number of ways that CBD might be able to aid your pet.
What is CBD, exactly?
The second most prevalent active component found in cannabis, or marijuana, is cannabidiol (CBD). It is not psychoactive in any way. Most CBD products for animals are made from hemp, not cannabis, and contain extremely little THC (the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that causes people to feel “high”).
In both humans and animals, cannabinoids (CBD) interact with receptors distributed throughout the body to affect a wide range of physiological processes, including appetite, mood, pain perception, and the immune system.
Because adverse effects are uncommon, CBD has a great safety profile. There have been sporadic reports of fatigue, soft stools, and changes in appetite.
How does CBD help my pet?
A number of conditions, including anxiety, stress, seizure disorders, and chronic pain, have been mentioned as potential candidates for CBD treatment. Cannabidiol’s health effects have been thoroughly studied in human medicine, but there is currently little research-based proof of its benefit for pets. Despite this, a lot of anecdotal data suggests that pets can benefit, and several studies are currently in progress.
One ailment that CBD has been demonstrated to help is canine osteoarthritis. According to a Cornell University study, dogs with osteoarthritis who received CBD twice daily reported less pain and received better evaluations than those who received a placebo.
Numerous additional potential therapeutic uses, such as anxiety reduction, pain management, epilepsy treatment, and others, require further study. While the data to support recommendations for use in specific circumstances is still lacking, quality-controlled CBD is unlikely to harm many dogs. However, speak with your veterinarian before giving your pet any CBD products.
What risks does CBD use in pets pose?
Pet CBD risks have not been thoroughly investigated. We don’t have formal dosing standards for these products because the Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved them, so we can’t legally prescribe CBD for any particular disease. The majority of adverse effects that have been observed, though, have been modest.
Commercially available CBD products may contain varying concentrations of cannabinoids, terpenes, and even toxins that could endanger a patient because this market is unregulated. When using CBD products on their pets, pet owners need to be aware of these possible risks. The body’s capacity to metabolize CBD products may also change if your pet already has a condition or is receiving medication, and CBD may lessen or boost the effectiveness of long-term medications.
THC-containing items, such as marijuana used for medical or recreational purposes by humans and some hemp products, may cause toxicity in your pet and require ER care. Items meant for human consumption that contain the lethal artificial sweetener xylitol pose a risk to animals as well.
As was previously said, there is still a need for long-term, carefully monitored scientific research on the possible uses of CBD in pets, recommended doses, side effects, and contraindications; as a result, any use of CBD in pets has some risk.
