Whether you are team cat, dog or something a little more exotic, plenty of cannabis consumers have an animal friend sharing their space at home. It’s only natural that while you are sparking or dosing up on cannabis, you may wonder whether it’s safe for your pet. Perhaps you’ve even seen CBD products for pets at your local head shop or even have a friend who treats their sick or elderly pet with cannabis. Read on to learn more about the potential benefits and risks of cannabis for pets and what veterinarians think of giving your furry friend weed.
Can my pet get high?
The short and simple answer is yes, pets feel the effects of cannabis. In fact, in 2020 alone, calls to the Pet Poison Hotline about cannabis increased by 448%. These situations range from pets accidentally eating edibles to second-hand highs, but it’s clear that pets do feel the effects of the herb. However, that can scare their owners who’ve likely never seen them in that state before. Not to mention, a lot of science on the subject is still lacking, and the effects of cannabinoids on pets are not yet entirely clear.
CBD for Pets
Of course, due to the purported therapeutic effects of CBD, there is an increased interest in whether it can benefit animals, too. Some possible benefits CBD can offer pets include:
- Relieve osteoarthritis pain
- Promote physical activity in pets that suffer from reduced mobility
- Calming effects
- Reduce the occurrence of seizures
- Ease symptoms associated with bowel disorders, nausea, and asthma
On the other hand, there are also some negative effects of CBD on pets. Cons to keep in mind when considering treating your pet with cannabis are:
- High doses can cause lethargy and upset stomach
- There is a lack of regulation on CBD products, which means you are not sure if the product you are buying is properly (or legally) sourced
- Nearly half of all CBD products have some THC in them, which is toxic for pets
What do veterinarians say?
As research on cannabis in veterinary medicine continues, many veterinarians are erring on the side of caution. In Canada, there is no current regulation of CBD products for pets, leaving vets in a legal grey area. Although veterinarians can discuss the potential benefits of this cannabinoid for pets, they cannot legally authorize or prescribe these treatments. Consequently, that means that pet owners head to the nearest smoke shop to acquire products produced for humans, not animals. Still, there is a silver lining for pets, and that is that many veterinarians have seen benefits of CBD on pets, especially in combination with medicines for inflammation and anxiety.
Time to Enjoy
Looking forward to the day you and your pet can relax with some CBD together? You’ll have to wait a bit longer before you can do that with a thumbs up from your vet. However, we’re sure that will change soon! For more cannabis education and information, check out the other articles on the Parkdale Brass blog. If you are looking for infographics and tips, head to our Instagram. Don’t forget to stop by the Parkdale Brass shop and check out our newly restock rugged, brass pipes.