In 2018, the Farm Bill passed, meaning that hemp-derived CBD products are now legal in the US. Stemming from that has been a boom in CBD products aimed at both humans and pets alike. There have been many reported benefits to adding CBD to your life, but what about using CBD for pets? With an abundance of CBD tinctures and treats on the shelves aimed at your beloved four-legged companions, it is important to know everything you can about CBD, including how it may affect your pet, dosage, and side effects.
Let’s get started.
What is CBD?
CBD, which is short for cannabidiol, is an organic compound known as a cannabinoid that comes from the Cannabis sativa plant. CBD is present in both medical cannabis and hemp, though there are greater amounts of it in the latter. For people and pets alike, most CBD products on the market are derived from hemp. Unlike the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis known as tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, cannabidiol does not have any psychoactive effects. Instead, it is believed to interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in a more therapeutic manner.
CBD For Pets
Is CBD Safe for Pets?
CBD may be safe for cats and dogs when administered in the proper dosage and under the guidance of a veterinarian. However, there is still limited research on the effects of CBD on pets, and more studies are needed to fully understand its potential benefits and risks. Similar to how CBD reacts in the human body, the compound interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in animals and assists with the regulation of several physiological functions, like pain and inflammation.
Fortunately, you do not have to worry about CBD making your pets “high.” As mentioned earlier, cannabidiol is not the same thing as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). If you are giving your pets a pure form of CBD, known as CBD isolate, or even a broad spectrum formula, you have nothing to worry about. The only time your pets may show signs of being high is if you use a full spectrum formula, which will include 0.3% THC or less. 0.3% is the legal limit of THC. However, there is only a low chance that such a small percentage of THC will adversely affect your pet.
That being said, there are concerns about the quality of CBD on the market, since it is not regulated by the FDA. When selecting a pet safe CBD, make sure you are choosing products that have been tested by a third party lab. The results should be available on the company’s website in the form of a Certificate of Analysis (COA). If you cannot locate a COA, do not purchase from that manufacturer.
Are There Any Side Effects of CBD?
Yes, there are some potential risks and side effects to be aware of when giving CBD to pets, including soft stool and appetite changes. CBD can interact with certain medications and can cause mild side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, or decreased blood pressure. Moreover, the quality and concentration of CBD products can vary, so it is essential to choose a high-quality product that has been third-party tested for purity and potency.
It is recommended to consult with a veterinarian before giving CBD to your pet, as they can provide guidance on proper dosing and potential drug interactions. Veterinarians can also help you determine if CBD is an appropriate treatment option for your pet’s specific condition.
Has Research Been Done on the Effects of CBD for Pets?
There has been plenty of research done on CBD using both animal and human models, but not many of those tests have looked at dogs, cats, and other pets. The interest in using cannabidiol for pets is growing, however, and so there should be more studies and trials that target pet wellness held in the near future.
What Could CBD Potentially Help With?
Although the research done specifically on pets is limited, there are several conditions that CBD may help alleviate or even treat. Here are some of the conditions where CBD may be beneficial to your pet:
Seizures
There is currently a prescription medication called Epidiolex that was approved by the FDA in 2018 [1]. To this point, Epidiolex is the only CBD-derived medication available on the market. Although Epidiolex is only available for people with severe epileptic conditions, it has been seen that CBD has a positive impact on seizures.
For pets, CBD may be able to lessen the frequency of seizures or stop them entirely. How CBD helps with seizures is not fully understood, but it is theorized that CBD prevents nerves in the brain from becoming hyperactive [2].
Arthritis
Did you know that 1 in 4 dogs will develop arthritis in their lifetime? It’s even been estimated that more than 60% of dogs have arthritis to some degree [3]. There have been several studies using both animal and human models that show the effectiveness of CBD when treating arthritis. For instance, a study from 2016 investigated the potential therapeutic effects of transdermal CBD (administered through the skin) on arthritis-related pain and inflammation in rats [4]. The researchers found that transdermal CBD significantly reduced joint swelling and pain-related behaviors in the rats.
Another study from 2017 examined how oral CBD could impact pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis [5]. The researchers found that CBD reduced joint pain and protected against nerve damage in rats.
Pain & Inflammation
Various studies have found that, once absorbed into the bloodstream, CBD may work to decrease pain and inflammation throughout the body. One review of the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory capabilities of CBD from 2020 outlined that the compound may be able to inhibit certain pro-inflammation receptors and reactions, thereby reducing swelling and pain [6].
Cancer
There is a limited amount of research on the use of CBD for pets with cancer. However, it has been documented that humans, as well as ferrets and rats, may benefit from CBD when it comes to preventing nausea after chemotherapy [7]. This suggests that cats and dogs may also benefit.
What is the Best CBD Dosage For Pets?
The dosage of CBD for pets can vary depending on the animal’s weight, age, and condition being treated. It is recommended to start with a low dose and gradually increase until the desired effect is achieved, while monitoring your pet for any adverse reactions. A general guideline for dosing is around 0.1-0.5 mg/kg of body weight per day, but this can vary depending on the specific product and animal. If your pet does not seem to be benefiting from the CBD dose, you can try a slightly larger dose. Always wait 30-60 minutes for any response to the cannabidiol.
One study from 2018 considered the efficacy of CBD oil for dogs with osteoarthritis and found that 2 mg per kg of weight taken twice daily was beneficial and caused little to no side effects [8]. During blood tests, however, some dogs showed signs of liver damage.
Can I Use Human CBD Products on my Dog or Cat? Or Do I Need Pet-Specific CBD?
Products that are designed for people are not recommended for pets, unless it is a CBD isolate without any additives. For safety, you should always ask your veterinarian about the ingredients in a CBD product, since there are some essential oils, artificial sweeteners, and other flavorings that could be toxic to dogs and cats.
Pet safe CBD will have your furry friends’ needs in mind, so choose cat and dog-friendly CBD instead of giving them your own tincture.
Looking to Try CBD on Your Pet?
More and more research is emerging that shows how beneficial CBD may be for both people and their pets. A variety of health conditions may be alleviated with the use of CBD. That said, more studies are needed.
If you want to give CBD to your pet, first speak with their veterinarian. Once your pet has been cleared, why not treat your furry friend to pet safe CBD from Sugar Bottom Hemp? We take pride in offering only the purest of CBD extracts. Each product has been tested in a third party lab. Our CBD pet tincture and calming CBD pet treats are perfect for your beloved companions. Give them a try today and see what CBD may do for your pets!
CBD For Pets
Resources
- Office of the Commissioner & Office of the Commissioner. (2018, June 25). FDA Approves First Drug Comprised of an Active Ingredient Derived from Marijuana to Treat Rare, Severe Forms of Epilepsy. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-drug-comprised-active-ingredient-derived-marijuana-treat-rare-severe-forms
- Silvestro, S., Mammana, S., Cavalli, E., Bramanti, P., & Mazzon, E. (2019). Use of Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Epilepsy: Efficacy and Security in Clinical Trials. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 24(8), 1459. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24081459
- Bland, S. D. (2015). Canine osteoarthritis and treatments: a review. Veterinary Science Development, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/vsd.2015.5931
- Hammell, D. C., Zhang, L. P., Ma, F., Abshire, S. M., McIlwrath, S. L., Stinchcomb, A. L., & Westlund, K. N. (2016). Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis. European Journal of Pain, 20(6), 936-948. doi: 10.1002/ejp.818
- Philpott, H. T., OʼBrien, M., & McDougall, J. J. (2017). Attenuation of early phase inflammation by cannabidiol prevents pain and nerve damage in rat osteoarthritis. Pain, 158(12), 2442-2451. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001052
- Atalay, S., Jarocka-Karpowicz, I., & Skrzydlewska, E. (2019). Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 9(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9010021
- Parker, L. A., Mechoulam, R., & Schlievert, C. (2002). Cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive component of cannabis and its synthetic dimethylheptyl homolog suppress nausea in an experimental model with rats. Neuroreport, 13(5), 567–570. https://doi.org/10.1097/00001756-200204160-00006
- Gamble, L., Boesch, J. M., Frye, C., Schwark, W. S., Mann, S., Wolfe, L. F., Brown, H., Berthelsen, E. S., & Wakshlag, J. J. (2018). Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2018.00165
