What Veterinarians Really Think of Pot and Pets

Canadian veterinarians cannot prescribe medicinal cannabis products for any type of animal, and there are no legal CBD options for sale either. But that doesn’t stop pet parents from giving cannabis to their furry loved ones.

Pet owners are still sourcing CBD pet items from the illicit market or using legally acquired cannabis products that are intended for humans.

Celebrity endorsements normalize this wellness trend from pots to pets. Products like Martha Stewart’s line of pets, designed with the health of her dogs in mind, are only sold in the US but plant an international seed labeled “CBD Helps Pet Health”.

As pet owners themselves begin to experiment with the potential therapeutic effects of CBD and cannabis, it seems natural to wonder whether these benefits could be shared with their animals. Veterinarians in Canada are increasingly asked about CBD and whether it is helpful in treating medical problems in pets.

The short answer is maybe, and the long answer is that medication of animals with cannabis is more complicated than it is for humans, especially legal.

In conversations with multiple vets and experts, Leafly found a chaotic but hopeful space teeming with groundbreaking studies, legal success stories, and a healthy dose of skepticism.

Veterinarians are vague and cautious about cannabis and pets

When cannabis was legalized in 2018, pet health care was not included in the Cannabis Act. There was widespread approval in 2019 that this should change, but animal owners and veterinarians are now in a legal gray area.

“The problem in Canada is that there is no legislator that regulates these products. Many of these companies flag medically founded claims that are completely unfounded, ”says Dr. Ian Sandler, CEO of Gray Wolf Animal Health in Toronto.

What’s also frustrating for Canadian veterinarians is that we can discuss the potential uses of CBD among pet owners, says Dr. Sandler, however, since we can’t allow the use of cannabis-based medicinal products, pet parents go to pharmacies to buy human-focused products for their pets.

“In contrast to the medical industry, it is very difficult to obtain a quality assurance document in the leisure sector,” says Dr. Sandler.

Often times, owners receive unregulated CBD animal products and are unaware that they are not being obtained legally. Without the required government testing, illegal cannabis products can contain pesticides, heavy metals, and other pollutants dangerous to pets.

Pet owners should discuss with veterinarians whether cannabis is the ideal solution for their furry friend, especially if they have never studied how CBD, THC, or other cannabinoids can affect their pet, says Dr. Scott Bainbridge, owner of Dundas West Animal Hospital in Toronto.

“And most of the time, I’ve seen the best effects of cannabis on pets in combination with other drugs, such as: B. anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety effects, ”he adds.

TLC for your pets with CBD and THC?

A 2019 survey of Canadian dog owners found that cannabis products for dogs were most commonly used for pain relief (72.3%), followed by reducing inflammation (47%) and relieving anxiety (40%).

But what does science say?

“Science is starting to show that cannabis is safe for your pets,” says Dr. Trina Hazzah, president of the LA Veterinary Cannabis Society and a veterinarian who specializes in integrative oncology.

Not surprisingly, when pet owners inquire about medical procedures for their pets, CBD gets the lion’s share of veterinary attention. Dr. Hazzah says most of the research has listed common cannabis-responsive conditions in pets such as osteoarthritis, anxiety, seizures, inflammatory problems, cancer, and palliative care.

Doobs for Dogs? Absolutely not. Responsible pet owners do not try to stone their animals. Just as medical cannabis benefits humans, so it could potentially benefit pets too. (adogslifephoto / Adobe Stock)

“There have been at least 10 studies on the safety and pharmacological dynamics of the effects of drugs on the animal body and the safety of CBD products, along with some studies that contained large amounts of THC.”

A recent report found that cannabis can reduce aggressive behavior in dogs, while another 2018 study showed how CBD can reduce a dog’s pain compared to a placebo.

This 2021 report on dogs with cancer also made headlines recently, concluding that “CBD oil caused a significant decrease in cancer cell reproduction in all cell lines studied”.

Among the most popular pets, dogs are reported to have higher densities of CB1 receptors in the brain than any other species, including humans. This means that they can tolerate higher doses of cannabis oil than cats, for example. Poisoning is rare when the right product is given to the pet.

THC can be dangerous for any pet if they ingest too much of the buzzing cannabinoid. One study found that “the CBD-predominant oil formulation was safer and more tolerable in dogs than oil formulations with higher THC concentrations,” which also highlights the most common delivery method for administering CBD to pets.

What if my pet gets too stoned?

A common concern of pet owners is the side effect of adding too much CBD and THC to their dog or cat. Dr. Hazzah notes that diarrhea is a more common symptom with CBD made from hemp, possibly due to the hemp fiber or the oil in the tincture.

The general advice for pet owners, as well as for inexperienced cannabis users, is to start low and go slowly, says Dr. Hazzah, which allows pet owners to generally avoid the pitfalls that could result from cannabis poisoning.

Oils are easier for animals to ingest, says Dr. Hazzah, and they allow pet owners to have more control over the dosage. Cannacious animal parents should ensure that their human-oriented products, especially edibles, are well out of reach of a pet, as several incidents have resulted in dogs becoming sick from snacking on weed gums or cookies.

Despite the challenges blocking easy access to cannabis, pet owners should be encouraged to hear what all three health experts emphasized: The more research focuses on the cannabis-animal relationship, the closer we will come to unlocking new therapeutic benefits for the sick Pets in need of alternative treatments.

David Silverberg

David Silverberg is a freelance journalist writing for The Toronto Star, BBC News, The Washington Post, Business Insider, Cannabis Health, Merry Jane, High Times, and many other media outlets. He is also a writing coach who helps freelance journalists and creatives advance their careers.

Show article by David Silverberg

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