CBD for Dogs Things to Consider as an Owner.

CBD and Dogs

Currently, the research on CBD for dogs, and its safety and efficacy is unknown. You should always talk to your veterinarian before giving your dog CBD. Know that in some states, your vet may not be able to provide a professional recommendation or opinion.

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a chemical naturally found in cannabis. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it’s not psychoactive, which means it won’t produce a “high.”

Research on CBD is in its early stages, but some studies and anecdotal evidence have found that it may help treat conditions like anxiety, pain, cancer, and arthritis. CBD pet products are marketed as a natural way to treat these conditions in dogs, making pet owners curious.

It’s important to understand that just because these products are for sale doesn’t necessarily mean they’re considered safe or beneficial for pets.

Currently, there are no CBD products approved by the FDA for use in animals — as a drug or as food. Given that, this article will cover current research into CBD use for dogs, as well as explain the possible risks and benefits to help you make an informed decision.

What stance do veterinarians take on CBD?

A recent survey of 2,131 participants conducted by the VIN News Service found that 63 percent of veterinarians reported that they were asked about CBD oil for pets at least once a month.

But veterinarians aren’t always willing to discuss it — those who advise clients on using CBD for their pets can risk penalties and license suspension in some states.

In other states, veterinarians have a little more freedom. California recently passed a law that prevents state regulators from penalizing veterinarians for talking with clients about using cannabis for their pets, including potential side effects and toxicities.

Other bills like this are in the works, but for now, don’t expect your veterinarian to recommend CBD products, and don’t expect a prescription.

Even in states where medicinal cannabis is legal, the existing laws only allow for a human healthcare provider to prescribe cannabis to people. They don’t authorize veterinarians to administer, dispense, prescribe, or recommend such products for use in animal patients.

CBD is thought to have many therapeutic properties, but unlike cannabis’s other main compound THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), it doesn’t get users high. And Powers, who is also vice-chairman of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents, credits CBD for easing his dog’s distress.

But Powers is not legally allowed to prescribe or even recommend CBD to his veterinary clients because on the federal level, CBD remains categorized by the Drug Enforcement Administration as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, the same as heroin.

As of July 2018, 47 states have gotten around this federal restriction by legalizing CBD for human use within their states, according to the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).

Physicians there can now recommend CBD to their patients, and consumers can often buy the compound on their own—for themselves or their pets—without any interaction with a healthcare professional.

If, however, you want guidance from a veterinarian about CBD for your pet, you’ll have to start the conversation. That’s because vets have been left out of most state laws concerning cannabis, so they can talk about CBD only if clients broach the topic.

Only California has passed legislation that authorizes veterinarians explicitly to discuss cannabis with their clients, according to experts. As a result, vets lag behind physicians in working with cannabis and researching its use in pets.

Despite this lack of official guidance, pet owners are increasingly seeking out CBD for their furry family members. In a survey conducted this year by an online community of veterinarians, nearly two-thirds of survey respondents said they were asked about cannabis by their patients at least once a month.

Fueled mainly by anecdotal reports, people are turning to CBD to help manage pain, arthritis, seizures, and other health problems in their pets.

And a growing crop of CBD products marketed for pets—including tinctures, capsules, and chew treats—has burst onto the market to meet the consumer demand.

But as Powers acknowledges, there’s even less research for those uses in animals than there is for humans. And while studies suggest CBD doesn’t pose a risk of addiction and generally causes few side effects, there are some risks, says Casara Andre, D.V.M., founder of Veterinary Cannabis Education & Consulting, a resource for pet owners and veterinarians.

For one thing, Andre says, CBD can interact with medications, including those used by vets. Also, there’s less oversight and testing of products marketed for pets, and there have been reports of animals harmed by contaminated or spoiled CBD products, she says.

There have also been reports of animals that seemed to get high from products, possibly because the formulations had more THC than was claimed. (CBD-only products are supposed to contain less than 0.3 percent THC.)

Veterinarians are beginning to study CBD’s effects on pets and assess its safety. So if you’re considering it for a four-legged member of your household, check out what the experts have to say first.

https://www.consumerreports.org/cbd/should-you-try-cbd-for-your-pet/