By Dr. Laura Hady
CBD oil has been marketed in both the human and pet world as a panacea for nausea, pain, arthritis, skin conditions, seizures, and as a calming agent. So, I am routinely asked about its benefits and risks where pet health is concerned.
CBD oil is simply the oil of the marijuana plant but with less than 0.3 percent of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive ingredient of cannabis. We must remember that dogs have 1,000 more receptors for cannabis than humans, and the science is still lacking on why, how, and even if CBD oil can help our pets. The following are some questions to consider before using CBD oil to treat your animals at home.
- What are the ingredients in CBD oil? Every formulation of CBD oil that I have seen has different combinations of CBD compounds. The Food & Drug Administration has not approved any cannabis products for animals and cannot ensure the safety or effectiveness of the products. Reputable vendors may go so far as to have products reviewed and tested by third party labs to check purity and efficacy. I encourage you to contact the manufacturer of any pet CBD product for its analysis, including any residual heavy metals or pesticides.
- Is my pet a candidate for CBD oil? CBD oil has low absorption in the body and is heavily metabolized by the liver. Animals with changes in their liver enzymes may not be able to metabolize the active ingredients properly. Please discuss with your veterinary staff which medical conditions CBD oil can or should be used for, as it should not be the sole remedy for disease.
- Is CBD effective for seizures? About 30 percent of seizure dogs are drug resistant, meaning traditional pharmaceuticals often fail to help these animals. A 2023 Colorado State University study revealed that a 9 mg/kg/day dose of CBD resulted in a 24 percent decrease in seizure days, while the dogs receiving a placebo had a 6 percent increase in seizure days. Note that most veterinarians will treat seizures with other drugs first and may add the CBD oil to help reduce the dose of the more mainstream anti-epileptic pharmaceuticals.
- What about CBD for anxiety and pain? As a physical rehabilitation veterinarian for more than 20 years, I have noted that animals’ pain can cause anxiety and that anxiety can make pain feel worse. Some companies promote a mixture of hemp seeds (the source of CBD oil) and valerian roots to help maintain a pet’s composure in stressful situations. A good online article to review for more information is “Hemp in Veterinary Medicine: From Feed to Drug,” which can be found with a simple internet search. Formulations with added omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may boost the anti-inflammatory effects of the above mixture. Consider talking with your veterinarian about which mixture may be right for your pet. Also, keep in mind that lavender has been proven to calm animals and that the omega fatty acids have also been shown to improve arthritis in dogs.
- Where can CBD treatment go awry? While the inactive forms of CBD may have positive health effects, the active ingredients in THC can have detrimental impacts on pets. Pets may become hyperactive or sleepy, disoriented and uncoordinated, develop urinary incontinence and possibly experience seizures after ingesting THC. Keep in mind that dogs have more cannabinoid receptors in their brains, so the effects are more toxic and dramatic as compared to humans. With the invention of edible candies, such as gummies, chocolates (also already toxic to dogs), and the higher potency of THC for both medicinal and recreational use, veterinary staffs have seen a huge influx of pets that have developed THC toxicity. Since THC is lipid soluble, it will be stored in fatty tissue in the liver, brain, and kidneys before finally being eliminated from the body. While I have never seen an animal patient die from THC intoxication, I believe these animals are truly miserable and have gone on a bad trip that they did not deserve to take.
Future studies are being conducted to examine CBD’s effects on seizures in dogs as well as its usage to decrease anxiety, aggression, osteoarthritis, and itching in pets. Importantly, there is no Food & Drug Administration regulation of CBD products on the market, so there is no recourse if your pet falls ill after ingesting them.
