You’ve probably heard a lot about the potential medicinal benefits of cannabis. Nearly half of the country already has some form of legalized marijuana (at state-level). Support for legalization is reaching an all-time high: 62 percent of adults under 30 are in favor of legalizing cannabis while 56 percent of adults aged 30-49 support reform as well.
Limited research has indicated that the two main components of cannabis, THC and CBD, may have incredible medicinal value for a variety of ailments. Even pets might be able to benefit from the effects of CBD in particular.
Are you considering CBD products for your cat or dog?
If the answer is yes, then you should carefully review these pros and cons of treating your pet with CBD.
Study suggests CBD may be beneficial for sick or senior dogs
In 2012, a study showed that “endocannabinoid system and cannabimimetic compounds protect against effects of allergic inflammatory disorders in various species of mammals”. Humans and animals alike have cannabinoid receptors that seem to respond to CBD in positive ways. The study concluded that proper administration of CBD has the potential to treat immune-mediated and inflammatory disorders in dogs.
Due to the current federal prohibition of cannabis, there is not enough research available to definitively list the possible benefits of THC and CBD. However, the outlook for pets is optimistic. Animals typically share about 70 percent biological homology with humans.
Pros: potential benefits of CBD products for cats and dogs
Experts speculate that CBD may be beneficial in treating a variety of ailments
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizures
- Psychosis disorders
- Inflammation
- Neurodegenerative issues
- Tumor and cancer cells
- Anxiety and depression
Cannabidiol could be revolutionary for cancer-related problems and end-of-life treatments for pets. Many of the pharmaceutical drugs that are currently used to treat these issues often come with negative side effects like liver and kidney damage, along with lethargy and a loss of appetite.
Cons: cannabis prohibition provides hurdle for treating pets with CBD
Due to marijuana’s current classification as a Schedule I drug in the US, many researchers have been timid to study the applications of cannabis. Veterinarians cannot legally prescribe (or even suggest, in most cases) CBD treatments for your pet. Even if prohibition was completely lifted, it would be years before enough studies could be conducted to confidently prescribe CBD for cats or dogs.
Unfortunately, spotty resources and legal complications aren’t the only downsides.
While no studies have yet shown that CBD is dangerous for animals, numerous sources agree that THC is potentially harmful to pets. Animals have a much lower tolerance to cannabinoids than humans do. When administering CBD products to your pet, it is very important to ensure that there is low or non-existent THC content. Do not deviate from the recommended dosages.
CBD treatments for cats and dogs: it’s your call
Until the legal climate changes regarding cannabis, it is ultimately your responsibility to decide if CBD products might be right for your pet. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian before eliminating any currently prescribed medicine.
Never give your dog or cat any edibles that are meant for human consumption. Check out our tuna flavored CBD-infused cat treats or CBD for dogs treats. Here at DiscoverCBD we offer only hemp-derived CBD, meaning that our products are legal to buy in all 50 states.
Do you have a question or comment about CBD? Let us know, and we will respond right away. In the meantime, sign up for our newsletters and visit our website DiscoverCBD.com regularly for the latest updates on research, legislation, and other news impacting you and cannabidiol.
