Marijuana has become more legal throughout the States. Since then, veterinarians all over the country have gotten calls from concerned pet owners that Mr. Meowgi has feasted on his owner’s space cake and is acting strange. Judging by the numerous youtube videos I’ve seen featuring high pets, I can honestly say it doesn’t look fun for the pet. Most of them can’t even sit up anymore much less do anything else.
Cannabinoid receptors
Dogs and cats, along with all mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish have CB1 and CB2, cannabinoid receptors. These receptors respond to the psychoactive effects of cannabis and its anti-inflammatory and pain relieving qualities.
The wrong quantities
THC can be damaging to dogs in the wrong quantities, even causing them to develop static ataxia. This condition makes them lose control over basic motor skills. Other reports of pets ingesting marijuana has caused them to have vomiting, listlessness, diarrhea, and seizures.
Progressive veterinarians
Although THC can have harmful effects on animals, progressive veterinarians among other rad animal caretakers have taken note that some pets with chronic pain and diseases can benefit from CBD. CBD is a cannabinoid in marijuana that doesn’t have psychoactive components yet has an array of medicinal benefits.
Popular holistic treatment
Tinctures and CBD treats that are low in THC has become a popular holistic treatment for pets with arthritis, seizures, anxiety, nausea, or pain. However, if you think about it objectively, is it right to spike Buddy’s food instead of giving him prescription medicine?
Animal medicines
Many people dealing with chronic pain don’t want to take pain killers because of the horrible side effects so they turn to smoking marijuana. Just like medicine for humans, animal medicines also come with spectrum of side effects like dizziness, lethargy, kidney and liver damage, vomiting, constipation, among other horrible things. So, in retrospect, spiking Buddy’s meal may be saving him a lot of terrible side effects.
Dog treats containing CBD oil
There are currently several companies selling specifically made dog treats containing CBD oil. One of the biggest difference between the companies are whether or not they use normal cannabis plants or hemp.
Hemp is allowed to move across state lines
Hemp, the stem of the cannabis plant, is low in THC but high in CBD. Hemp is allowed to move across state lines because it contains less than 0.3% in THC. Pet treats made from normal cannabis cannot be shipped or moved across state lines because the federal government still classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 substance.
Medicinal punch
Although using hemp products makes it so much easier to get a hold of some treats for your pet, some believe that it won’t deliver the medicinal punch that normal cannabis plants give. Marijuana contains a big range of chemical compounds (more than 85 unique cannabinoids). THC and CBD are two among many other cannabinoid compounds with regulatory effects. Hemp is usually low in extractable cannabinoids. The entourage effect takes place when whole-plant medicine is used. When the entire complex of cannabinoids and terpenoids are used together instead of taken separately they create an interactive synergy.
Plant synergy
On the other hand, some hemp treat producers claim that high-CBD hemp oil extracts have their own whole plant synergy. Currently there is not enough scientific proof about which type of CBD oil, whether from hemp or cannabis, would benefit your pet best.
Claimed benefits
Most of the claimed benefits come from testimonials of people that had pets with problems, and they were able to help them with CBD. Although there isn’t much scientific proof of CBD effects on animals, it’s notable that past marijuana studies done on lab animals and existing human drugs sold today contain cannabinoids. One of these drugs given to patients with multiple sclerosis is called Sativex. It’s a mouth spray prescribed in Europe that contains THC and CBD as active ingredients.
Peak Pharmaceuticals
Luckily, there is some research on its way. Peak Pharmaceuticals is doing their own research in Denver. They have partnered with a animal hospital to carry out clinical studies on how cannabinoids affect dogs with epilepsy. They are also studying how cannabinoids affect horses with joint pain and anxiety.
Help our furry companions
I think that CBD treats are a great way to help our furry companions deal with their ailments. However, it’s never a good idea to suddenly stop with their current medication as it could have negative effects. Talk with your progressive vet about it and consider a low dosage and work your way up from there.
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