Can you give cannabis to cats and dogs?

With all of the widespread and sometimes conflicting medical news about the use of cannabis in pets, it is important to have a trusted source of information.

Luckily we now have one.

A website that doubles as an educational portal was recently launched by the Veterinary Cannabis Society (VCS) for veterinarians, pet owners and cannabis product companies. This follows on from the years of skyrocketing popularity of cannabidiol use among pets, as it has shown promise in treating many diseases naturally: from cancer to pet anxiety, while also relieving arthritis, pain and other diseases, that affect them in old age. Even so, there are still many questionable claims, uses, and products.

This is especially difficult in certain states, where veterinarians aren’t even allowed to legally speak to pet owners about using CBD.

“Veterinarians today have difficulty talking to pet parents about cannabis because they either lack the knowledge or want to avoid potential legal ramifications,” explains Dr. Trina Hazzah, President and Co-Founder of VCS. “No veterinarian should have to risk his license or his livelihood just because he tries to do the right thing for his patient.”

Additionally, VCS says that 68% of veterinarians don’t give pet owners advice about cannabis use just because they don’t have the knowledge to. This is one of the reasons why the VCS was launched last year – to close the educational gap in the correct use of cannabis in sick animals. Members of the VCS now have access to general information about its use, while benefiting from the many educational resources available, including reviewed articles, podcasts, a research library, presentations and videos.

“What we strive for is an educated and empowered global veterinary cannabis community,” says Dr. Hazzah, whose interest in medicinal cannabis grew while researching integrative approaches to pets with cancer. The VCS also works with organizations, parties and certain states so that sensible legislation can be put in place for the veterinary use of medicinal cannabis. They are also committed to establishing a standard for product quality.

Important need for our furry friends

It is only normal to want the best for our dogs and cats, and cannabidiol uses have shown more promise. In fact, CBD could be the treatment we have all been looking for to extend our pets’ lives and extend their lives.

“Dogs actually have higher levels of CB1 cannabinoid receptors in their brains than humans,” says Steve Sakala, co-founder of Mana Artisan Botanics. “This makes dogs more receptive to the benefits of CBD.”

“In general, older pets, just like the elderly, seem to get slightly more noticeable results from using CBD. The higher energy levels in older pets when given CBD is quite pronounced, ”he explains.

Just don’t give THC to your pets.

Animals are sensitive to the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant. Its dangers are widespread: “If you ask one of our emergency room veterinarians, everyone would say that the number of cannabis-intoxicated dogs has skyrocketed since medical and then recreational marijuana for humans was legalized,” said Professor from UC Davis of Veterinary Sciences, Karl Jandrey, to the Los Angeles Times. It is increasingly common for dogs to get cannabis poisoning from people who accidentally leave food in their home or pick it up from the street, parks, or beaches in resort states.

However, many people are unaware of the effects THC has on pets, which is why we urgently brought an educational resource like VCS to the market.

Nevada is at the forefront of the industry: in early June this year, it became the first state to authorize veterinarians to recommend and administer CBD, thanks to a new law protecting veterinarians from legal action if they choose to use their pet patients to treat CBD. The law has been in force since October 1st.

Steve Yeager, a member of the congregation who sponsored the bill, said he clarified veterinary regulations for using CBD. In addition, they can also talk to pet owners about it and consult with them about its usage and dosage, and even give the drug directly to pets. “You can do all of this without having to worry about your board of directors being disciplined, which was really the main concern of the law,” Yeager said. Meanwhile, veterinarians in Michigan and California are only allowed to consult cannabis use, not administer it to their pets.

Given the widespread use of cannabis medicinally in more than 40 states and 20 states as a recreational area, even with a thriving market, there are still no guidelines for the appropriate use of CBD for pets as entrepreneurs saw the opportunity to develop products for pets .

“I think we’re fast-forwarding six years later and the landscape in the state is just very different,” says Yeager. “I think there is a level of comfort in the cannabis industry, with CBD, that just wasn’t there in 2015.”

We anticipate the pet cannabis industry will continue to boom in the hope that more veterinarians and pet owners have the knowledge and guidance they need to safely and confidently treat their cats and dogs.

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