Is Your Pet Quieter and More Isolated? They Might Be in Pain and Cannabis Can Help Alleviate It

“An animal in pain won't vocalize, cry, or scream; in fact, they will be quiet, isolated in their own corner,” explains veterinarian Simone Falat when describing how a pet owner can identify that their animal is in pain. “In some cases, when the pain is intense, cats may urinate outside the litter box, stop grooming, avoid climbing to high places, and even stop eating,” she adds.

In dogs, depending on the breed, besides isolation and lack of appetite, they may also show aggression and excessively lick the painful area. It is important to remember that these symptoms may indicate other conditions besides pain, and a visit to the veterinarian is recommended as soon as the first signs are noticed.

According to an article published by the Universidade Paranaense (Unipar), the use of cannabidiol (CBD) has shown efficacy, offering a new alternative for the management of chronic pain in veterinary practice with small animals. The study analyzed 24 research papers published in Portuguese in the last 10 years on the use of cannabis for the treatment of chronic pain in dogs.

One of the 2020 studies indicated that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main cannabinoid in cannabis for pain treatment. “CBD also has an effect, but only when combined with small amounts of THC,” the article highlights.

“In more severe cases, THC is the most recommended and can be administered through nasal spray to quickly relieve the animal's condition. However, it may cause mild side effects, such as drowsiness, ataxia, and tremors, which disappear within a few hours. Typically, one starts with an oil with a 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC and adjusts the dose as needed,” Falat explains.

According to the veterinarian, the anxiolytic effect of CBD is also important for controlling anxiety, nervousness, and aggression in animals suffering from pain, whether it be osteoarthritic, oncologic, or caused by other conditions.

Another literature review points to cannabis as an ally in pain management. “Cannabinoids are effective for pain management, and can be used as the sole medication or as synergists in combination with other treatments. Today, they play a fundamental role in Veterinary Medicine, ensuring quality of life and animal well-being,” the study states.

Both works emphasize the need for more studies and clarification on the use of cannabis in pain treatment, aiming to expand knowledge about this therapy. Cannabis may represent a new option for patients with diseases that do not respond adequately to conventional treatments.