The Potentials & Pitfalls of a Hot New Trend
In the beginning, there were gummies.
But as the CBD craze caught fire, new products abounded. Producers wouldn’t rest until every consumer good had a CBD-imbued counterpart. From hand creams to sodas to T-shirts, there was nothing that couldn’t be improved with a bit of the good stuff.
Now, as the fervor fades, the most famous cannabinoid (aside from THC) has found a new clientele: pets. And unlike some earlier product attempts, there is serious research behind pet CBD.
What We Know
In many ways, CBD for pets makes good sense. It’s all-natural, familiar, and inexpensive.
But, while the peer-reviewed findings are promising and pet forums are brimming with positive anecdotes, challenges abound.
Many veterinarians lack a rigorous understanding of CBD, and pet owners often feel a stigma about dosing their pet. It should come as no surprise that a large contingent of owners does more research about treating their dogs than treating themselves.
When prescribing medical cannabis, human doctors can explain potential side effects, set expectations, and offer guidance for managing the experience. Veterinarians have no such luxuries. If a pet ingests a mind-altering substance, they deal with the consequences on their own.
Sometimes, that’s a necessary part of treatment, such as when a dog licks up antifreeze and needs to be dosed with alcohol to counteract the poison. The medicine makes them stumbling drunk, but it also prevents kidney failure.
Cannabis, however, presents a different problem. Despite the image Scooby Doo concocted, THC can be toxic to animals. And it’s becoming a major issue.
With every state that legalizes recreational use, calls to veterinarians about accidental poisonings skyrocket. Usually, it happens when a dog eats a dropped roach during a walk. But the consequences can be rough. THC poisoning may cause nausea, loss of balance, and hallucinations in dogs. While most recover without issue, it can be scary and uncomfortable for the pets.
Luckily, CBD is built differently.
“There’s never been any example of any dog overdosing or needing to go to the hospital from CBD,” says Brandon Schechter, the founder of Yin Yang Infusions. “The most common side effects are usually diarrhea and lethargy, which are fairly benign and go away on their own in a short period of time. And there are millions of pet owners using it worldwide with no reported hugely negative consequences. I think that speaks volumes.”
The research backs him up. Reams of data suggest that the all-natural substance is safe for pets.
How do we know? While American laws make it difficult for local scientists to study CBD, researchers in other countries are making giant strides. Collectives like ICAN Vets in Mexico and CBD Vets Australia are pulling double duty by working to educate patients and practitioners while also producing high-level research. Their websites are goldmines of data-based recommendations on treatments and dosing guidelines.
But there are experts who are working diligently stateside to help pet owners make informed decisions about CBD, such as whether it should be your first choice or a last resort.
Advocacy and education groups like Colorado-based Veterinary Cannabis promote practitioner education and offer over-the-internet consultations.
Should You Give Your Pet CBD?
Sometimes, it helps to consider the big picture. While we’re still at the very beginning of understanding how CBD affects us and our pets, animals are no strangers to natural medicine.
Dogs and cats eat grass to get rid of an upset stomach. It can cause them to throw up or act as a laxative. Apes have been seen munching on healing plants to combat flatworms. And pregnant elephants know which leaves to eat to induce delivery.
And many of the medicines we give our pets are the same ones we take ourselves, just dosed lighter. We’re not talking over-the-counter stuff, either. Serious drugs, such as Prozac, are commonplace on veterinarian scripts.
Taken in its full context, CBD for pets is far more like traditional medicine than something totally new. It’s best to be careful, but if your pet needs help, it might be the right option.
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