FDA warns of unregulated CBD products for dog anxiety amid fireworks

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine raised the alarm Thursday, urging pet owners not to use unregulated cannabidiol (CBD) products on dogs frightened by scary fireworks noises.

Fireworks have long been considered fear triggers for dogs, especially dogs who already have an anxiety-related illness. Dogs are typically known for their olfactory abilities, but according to Smithsonian Magazine, dogs hear more than twice as many sound frequencies as humans – a July 4th explanation for their behavior. You can also hear sounds four times farther away than people. To a dog, a cracking bang might sound like an explosion or some other type of calamity.

“July fourth can be a noisy and stressful time for dogs,” the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine tweeted Thursday. “Ask your veterinarian about the right way to help relieve your dog’s stress through behavior changes or an FDA-approved drug for sedation or to treat noise aversion.”

But the FDA felt it was necessary to name a popular anxiety drug – CBD – which is commonly used to treat anxiety in dogs and cats and is often marketed as a pet treat.

“There is a lot of talk about CBD as a treatment [dogs] that react to loud noises. You should be aware that the FDA has NOT rated these products and cannot say whether they are safe or effective, how they are made, or whether they contain CBD. “

There is a lot of talk about CBD as a treatment for people who respond to loud noises. You should be aware that the FDA has NOT rated these products and cannot say whether they are safe or effective, how they are made, or whether they contain CBD.

– FDA CVM (@FDAanimalhealth) July 1, 2021

Keep in mind that this is the third time the FDA has issued a similar warning ahead of the July 4th celebrations – meaning the organization has just admitted that it is doing its job of screening CBD products for safety , even after three years still has not taken care of warnings.

One real reason to listen to the FDA is that many animal products that claim to be infused with CBD do not contain any CBD at all, according to the Associated Press. Online grippers will sell bottles of “CBD oil” for well over $ 50 to people who fall victim to their plans.

While research is still young, early data suggests that CBD might be effective in certain pet-related conditions, perhaps more so in dogs than in cats. “High-CBD hemp nutraceuticals appear to be safe in healthy adult dogs,” researchers wrote in a study of the safety profile of CBD for use against anxiety, seizures, cancer and pain.

In July 2018, the first clinical study measuring the effectiveness of hemp-derived CBD in dogs was published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, in this case for dogs living with arthritis. Several other studies have looked at various potential benefits.

The FDA stands in the way of progress

CBD-infused pet treats are widespread, especially after the 2018 Farm Bill was passed, but that doesn’t mean the FDA fully tolerates them. For example, the FDA is known to be strict on medical claims – both for humans and pets. The benefits of CBD pet treats have not yet been proven in dogs and cats.

Less than a month after the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) published draft final rules allowing the production and interstate shipping of hemp CBD products across the country, the FDA issued warning letters to no fewer than 13 companies in nine states made for selling pet treats or food enriched with CBD. “The FDA also advises today that it cannot conclude that CBD is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for its use in human or animal foods by qualified experts,” the organization wrote.

Currently, hemp CBD treats, marketed for both dogs and cats, are freely available online, in convenience stores, and pharmacies in several states.

Pet owners are encouraged to determine a safe haven so their dogs can stay calm during the fireworks onslaught this vacation. Dogs can also slowly become desensitized to fireworks noises once they get used to hearing them repeatedly.