Barking Mad for CBD?

CBD continues to dominate the marketplace and raving reviews about the medicinal benefits from the plant are prevalent in content via the internet and social media. We know that humans have found great relief for maladies from arthritis to acne, but can the same benefits be derived by our four-legged friends?

Well, the answer to that is largely anecdotal.

Similar to the case with humans, the question of using medical cannabis to improve the health of a dog or cat is a complicated one. There isn’t a lot of solid, peer-reviewed and published research examining its safety or efficacy.

That’s slowly changing and the science of cannabis and pets is moving forward. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, a leading international journal, shared in July 2018, the first clinical study examining the effects of hemp-based Cannabidiol on arthritic dogs and the results were extremely encouraging. More than 80% of the dogs in the study saw a significant decrease in pain and improved mobility.

Findings and anecdotes from pet owners who are currently or have used CBD for their companions are heavily weighted in the dog column as opposed to the cat column. However, dogs typically have ailments that are nicely paired with the benefits of CBD, especially when it comes to inflammation and pain relief. Where cat owners chimed in to share their experiences, most often they cited CBD being effective for epilepsy, anxiety, and gastrointestinal issues.

Just 2 years ago, in an interview with Leafly, veterinarian Dr. Gary Richter said “Almost anything that cannabis would be used for in a human, from a medical standpoint, has the potential to be equally as valuable in dogs or cats,” Richter said. “Pain, inflammation, arthritis, gastro-intestinal related things, stress, anxiety, seizures, cancer, you name it. We’ve seen the benefits in all of these areas.”

Since many medical problems that pets face are inherent in certain breeds – think hip dysplasia in Golden Retrievers or epilepsy in Beagles – there’s hope that enhanced quality of life can be fostered with CBD treatment options. Human use of CBD and cannabis is typically discussed at the patient’s request and rarely initiated by physicians and the same holds true in the world of veterinary medicine.

As more physicians for people AND pets gain an understanding and escape the social stigma of the cannabis plant’s wonder, we’re optimistic about these types of treatments becoming more mainstream. Don’t be afraid to ask your vet about the use of CBD – not just to learn more, but to make sure a professional can advise you of any potential dangers or interactions with your pet’s current regiment.

While this is exciting, consumers should be just as careful when looking for CBD products for their pets as they are with CBD for people. Since THC can be toxic for pets and CBD quality is so important – for any CBD products you consider, keep the following in mind:

• Look for organic. If the CBD oil is not organic, it at least should not contain pesticides, fungicides, or solvents. Your CBD should be hemp-derived and not marijuana-derived.
• Don’t cheap out. The higher the quality and purity, the higher the cost. You don’t want to sacrifice quality for a less expensive version that could contain toxic substances such as pesticides, herbicides, or heavy metals. Make sure your CBD oil is free of additives.
• Get the scientific info. The manufacturer should provide clear labeling that states the amount of CBD that is in the product as well as testing for quality.
• Buy CBD as a liquid. You can buy dog treats containing CBD, but the best form to administer is an oil or tincture. This way, you can adjust your pet’s dose drop by drop. Members of the Greenway team have had success putting oils or tinctures into their dogs’ food.

While we don’t endorse any specific products, some of the more reputable and heavily reviewed products available today include brands like Honest Paws, HolistaPet, HempMy Pet, King Kanine, and Balance CBD. Missouri companies Relax Brands, BeLeaf, Blue Key CBD and more offer high-quality pet products. Be sure you read the fine print and don’t be tempted to purchase pet products that are not manufactured and originating in the United States.

Have you used CBD for your pets? We’d love to hear how it went – tell us about your experience!