Can my pet use my medical marijuana or CBD?

Throughout the history of medicine, men have been the key factor and up until the 1980s, women and children were considered little men in terms of medicinal dosage. In 1986, the National Institutes of Health introduced a policy encouraging researchers to include women in studies. We’ve come a long way quickly, but you need to remember that despite your love and treatment of your pet, they just aren’t mini people. The medical side of the pet care industry is worth over $2.6 billion in North America.

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This doesn’t include events like the 4th of July and other packed and very loud holidays that put pets in overtime. This leads to the question of whether I can use CBD or THC on my pet. The answer is yes to CBD with conditions and no to THC in general. Firstly, always talk to your veterinarian and secondly, you can always find something made for pets. And here’s why.

Medical Marijuana and Pets

It is well known that chocolate is toxic to dogs. While chocolate ingestion is rarely fatal, it can lead to significant illness. Chocolate is toxic because it contains a chemical called theobromineas well as caffeine. Dogs have more cannabinoid receptors in their brains, meaning the effects of cannabis are more dramatic and potentially toxic compared to humans. Likewise, a small amount of cannabis is enough to cause toxicity in cats and dogs.

Cats and dogs can become intoxicated from cannabis in a number of ways, the most common being accidental consumption of edibles (e.g., baked goods, candy, candy bars, and chips that contain cannabis) or cannabis directly (in any form). Dogs have more cannabinoid receptors in their brains, meaning the effects of cannabis are more dramatic and potentially toxic compared to humans. A small amount of cannabis is enough to cause toxicity in cats and dogs

Animals are sensitive to the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant. Its dangers are widespread. “If you ask any of our vets in the ER, they would all say that since medical and then recreational marijuana was legalized for humans, the number of dogs poisoned by cannabis has skyrocketed,” Karl Jandrey, professor of veterinary science at UC Davis, he told the Los Angeles Times.

CBD and pets

It’s only natural to want the best for our dogs and cats, and the use of cannabidiol has shown more than promise. In fact, CBD could very well be the treatment we’ve all been looking for to prolong the lives of our pets and breathe life into their years. CBD products are perfectly safe for your furry friend as long as they are derived from the hemp strain of the cannabis plant. However, products derived from the marijuana strain of cannabis are not safe for animal consumption as they typically contain high levels of THC and can therefore be toxic to animals. And yes, you can give CBD to your dog before the fireworks if you talk to your vet and give it a few hours beforehand to allow time for the calming effects.

RELATED: CBD oil for dogs: As its popularity increases, so do the scams

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A website that doubles as an educational portal has been launched by the Veterinary Cannabis Society (VCS) for veterinarians as well as pet owners and cannabis businesses. This follows years of skyrocketing popularity of using cannabidiol for pets, as it has shown promise in treating many ailments naturally, from cancer and anxiety to arthritis and old age. Despite this, there are still many questionable claims, uses, and products.

RELATED: More and more dogs are getting accidentally stoned as marijuana goes mainstream

As of October 2021, Nevada became the first state in the country to pass legislation allowing licensed veterinarians to recommend and administer hemp and cannabidiol products. This means Nevada is the first state to legalize the use of cannabinoids as a veterinary treatment.

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Steve Yeager, an assembly member who sponsored the bill, said it clarified veterinary rules for using CBD. In addition, they can also talk to pet owners and consult with them on usage and dosage, and even administer the drug directly to pets. “They can do all of that without worrying about being disciplined by their board of directors, which was really the main concern behind the bill,” Yeager says. Meanwhile, in Michigan and California, veterinarians are only allowed to advise on cannabis use but are not allowed to administer it to their pets.

RELATED: Michigan now allows vets to discuss CBD treatment with pet owners

With the widespread use of cannabis in more than 40 states for medical purposes and 22 states for recreational purposes, despite a thriving market, there are still no guidelines for the appropriate use of CBD for pets as entrepreneurs saw an opportunity to purchase pet products develop.

We anticipate that the pet cannabis industry will continue to thrive and hope that more veterinarians and pet owners will be given the knowledge and guidance they need to medicate their cats and dogs safely and with confidence. Remember, just like you wouldn’t give your dog a martini or your cat a rosé, don’t get them anything to eat and hope for the best.