What are the risks and benefits of using cannabis for your pet?
It is certain that medicinal cannabis is gaining prominence in the health field, but is it a good remedy for our pets?
Published on 08/19/2021
Curated and edited by Sechat, with information from rxleaf
With the constant growth of the cannabis universe worldwide, various research studies proving its potential medicinal value emerge every day. Pet owners are also drawn to these possible medicinal benefits of cannabis, raising the question, if cannabis works so well for humans, why can't its therapeutic value be extended to our furry four-legged companions?
To understand how cannabis works in pets, pet owners must first understand cannabis as a valuable medicinal plant. Much of the plant's therapeutic potential comes from the natural chemicals it contains, including over a hundred compounds called cannabinoids. Different strains mean different combinations of cannabinoids, creating a unique cannabinoid profile.
>>> Sechat releases for free services from 118 prescribers of Medicinal Cannabis
How does it work?
The most famous cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Scientists have already linked these compounds to various medical benefits ranging from pain relief, inflammation, epilepsy, and palliative care.
Cannabinoids are unique in how they interact with a physiological system called the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is a network of receptors and chemical messages that work continuously to keep the body in balance, meaning regulating pain, appetite, mood, memory, and much more. Most mammals have an endocannabinoid system, including pet owners and their respective pets.
Similar to their human counterparts, the endocannabinoid systems of dogs and cats also regulate their appetite, mood, and pain. Dogs and cats, as mammals, have an endocannabinoid system remarkably similar to that of humans. However, there are some very important differences. The benefits and risks of using cannabis for pets come down to understanding these variations.
What are the benefits for them?
Research exploring the therapeutic applications of cannabinoids in veterinary medicine is much less advanced than for their human owners. Veterinarians have been very cautious about recommending cannabis for animals, although this is slowly changing. Some veterinarians now support CBD for pets.
Recently, some noteworthy studies have been published specifically looking at the benefits and risks of using cannabis for dogs.
CBD for chronic inflammation in osteoporosis in dogs
One of the most common reasons people consume CBD oil is for relief from chronic inflammation and joint pain associated with arthritis and related disorders. In 2018, the Frontiers in Veterinary Science published a study examining CBD for the treatment of osteoporosis in dogs.
The researchers were from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. Ultimately, their research proves that CBD relieves pain and helps increase activity among canine participants. Combined with other measurements, their results strongly suggest that CBD can reduce pain and inflammation in dogs.
CBD for seizures in dogs
In mid-2019, an article from the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association detailed how CBD could significantly reduce seizure activity in dogs with intractable idiopathic epilepsy. However, as the authors noted, some confusing results warrant further research on CBD for canine epilepsy. The benefits and risks of using cannabis for pets were not entirely clear.
Common side effects of CBD treatment tolerable in dogs
In a 2018 publication titled "A Report of Adverse Effects Associated with Administration of Cannabidiol in Healthy Dogs," researchers from the Department of Clinical Sciences at Colorado, clinical studies analyzed the risks associated with canine CBD consumption.
After a six-week treatment course among thirty beagles, the researchers concluded: “CBD appeared to be well-tolerated in dogs.” They noted that all dogs in the study had diarrhea, although it did not seem severe enough to warrant removal from the study.
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What are the risks? Suitable cannabinoids for pets
While there are many similarities between the endocannabinoid systems of humans and mammals, there are vital differences that pet owners should be aware of.
Not all cannabinoids are suitable for use with pets, and pet owners need to be aware of this to keep them safe.
The main concern is THC. As a psychoactive compound, THC is not suitable for pets, especially dogs. Research shows that dogs have a higher concentration of CB1 receptors (a type of cannabinoid receptor) in their brains. Because of the higher number and specific locations of these CB1 receptors, THC can easily overwhelm their system. In other words, dogs are significantly more susceptible to THC toxicity. Veterinarians occasionally report fatal THC-related overdoses in dogs.
Pet owners should acquire specific brands of cannabis oil or hemp-derived products to eliminate the risk of accidental THC consumption. These products legally contain less than 0.3 percent THC, or no THC, making them safe for pet consumption.
How to administer cannabis to pets
What is the best way to give dogs and cats a daily dose of CBD? There are four types of CBD products for pets that make daily dosing easy:
- CBD oils
- Topical CBD
- CBD-infused treats
- CBD capsules
Just like with humans, pets tend to have preferences. It may be impossible to give a picky cat a dose of CBD oil every day, but they may eagerly devour CBD-infused treats. The same goes for dogs. They may be prone to spitting out pills but don't seem to mind a dose of CBD oil mixed with their favorite food. Pet owners know their pets best and should choose an appropriate format to facilitate daily administration.
Since pets cannot communicate how they feel to their owners, they must pay close attention when they start administering CBD. Observe changes in appetite, mood, and physical activity.
The most common adverse reactions are mild, including mild to moderate diarrhea and reduced appetite. If adverse effects are severe, always discontinue treatment.
Start with the smallest possible dose as listed on the product label. Over the next few days, slowly increase and observe behavior changes. Increase the dosage based on the animal's weight until positive benefits are observed without serious side effects.
Conclusion
The benefits and risks of using cannabis for pets are still under preliminary investigation. There are hundreds of owners talking about the benefits of CBD for pets, but what about the science? Reports from previous scientific studies suggest that CBD for dogs may help reduce the effects of inflammatory diseases like osteoporosis and seizure frequency in epileptic conditions. So far, CBD appears to be well-tolerated with minimal side effects among canines. More anecdotal evidence suggests similar results for cats.
Interested in the subject? Then stay tuned because next Tuesday, August 24th, we will receive the Professor of Endocannabinology at the Department of Biosciences and Unique Health (BSU) at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Erik Amazonas.
Erik is also a veterinarian, master in Animal Science and Pastures, and a doctor in Genetics, working towards scientific knowledge about cannabis sativa.
Don't miss out on this super Sechat Live, which airs every Tuesday at 7 pm on Instagram @sechat_oficial. See you there!
