CBD for Pets: Questions that Need to Be Pondered Upon Prior to Administering CBD
In todays society, all things CBD is being developed at a relatively fast pace. Initially, talks surrounding the cannabis plant were dismissed altogether because society viewed it as playing a negative role based on one aspect: marijuanas tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). As more research fell into existence, it turns out that THC is just one of the hundreds of cannabinoids within the plant. The most popular to date being cannabidiol (CBD).
What started as a natural alternative to relieving epilepsy, soon extended to potentially ridding one from anxiety, restlessness, inflammation and much more. Presently, consumers can find all sorts of CBD infusions, from vapes and oils to bath bombs and edibles. Most importantly, humans arent the only ones to benefit from the use of CBD! This is where it becomes crucial to investigate the benefits of CBD for pets.
A major concern within the CBD industry is the lack of statistically significant evidence that supports its administration. This is not to say that there arent studies that exist, sure there are, but the problem becomes one of not having enough actual verified research, but as these studies have shown, consumers become confident because we can assess whether the same results can be observed time and again.
In the case of CBD for pets, the number of studies can easily be counted using our fingers and this is not a good indication. With this in mind, heres what you need to know before administering CBD to your beloved pet(s).
Cannabidiol is one of over 100 different types of cannabinoids housed within the cannabis plant. Belonging to the Cannabaceae family, the cannabis plant is known for as hemp and marijuana plants. Marijuana is popularly known for its cannabinoid, THC, because of its ability to induce mind-altering effects. Then theres the hemp plant, which can be used for fiber production or, extracted for CBD, which has been found to house health benefits without affecting ones decision-making capabilities.
CBD is described as having the ability decrease anxiety and pain-related health concerns, while improving sleep among others. According to a 2019 study conducted by S. Shannon et al., of 72 patients in the study, 57 patients (79.2%) witnessed a decrease in anxiousness within a months use, while 48 patients (66.7%) experienced better sleep in the same timeframe.
Another 2019 study by Dipan. P et al. found that CBD decreased both the frequency and severity of behavioral seizures given that the dose was relatively high. Interestingly, this study however found a slightly reduced dosage failed to improve seizure outcome.
As for CBDs ability to ease pain, a study conducted in 2016 found that CBD topicals were able to reduce joint swelling, ultimately concluding that said method of delivery could potentially induce relief for arthritis-related pain.
A number of questions should be in the back of your mind concerning the frequency of CBD use, appropriate dosage, ones condition and so on, but before getting into the finer details, lets take a closer look at how the thought of even introducing CBD to pets came about.
If medicine is human-friendly, does this imply that it is also pet-friendly? In an interview with Global News, co-owner of Dundas West Animal Hospital in Toronto, Canada, Dr. Scott Bainbridge shared that, What works in medicine is usually applicable to animal medicine.
Given the obvious fact that more studies related to pets interaction with CBD are needed, Bainbridge is convinced of its potential to treat similar conditions such as anxiety, arthritis [and] chronic pain. An interesting note also that had been mentioned is the differing number of receptors that humans have compared to that of dogs and cats. This leads to the need to educate consumers on a pets endocannabinoid system.
As reported by Cannimal, an animals biological and physical characteristics and that of humans have a 70 percent compatibility. This implies that like the human body, most animals, with the exception of insects, also have an endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system is one that houses a network of receptors that regulate and activate the bodys natural and externally provided cannabinoids (i.e. CBD, THC, CBN, CBG, etc.). More precisely, it is a system that contains endocannabinoids that activate CB1 and CB2 receptors (neurons and neurotransmitter release and immune cells and cell migration respectively). Some of the parts of the body that this system is said to influence include the immune system, nerve cell production, sleep, mood, pain and emotions.
When assessing the human endocannabinoid system to that of another mammal, say a dog, there are differences that bears attention. For instance, it has been found that dogs may have a higher number of cannabinoid receptors in the brain compared to that of humans. This means that dogs may be more vulnerable to toxic effects than humans. Another major difference is that dogs supposedly digest cannabinoids differently than humans, which in turn may affect their sensitivity and tolerance levels. Below there is a guide on some of the most popular health benefits associated with CBD use as well as a list of possible edibles to consider using if oils or the best CBD pet products listed below are not suitable.
Speaking regarding the pros and cons of CBD use for dogs is Mark Verdino, Senior VP and Chief of Veterinary staff at North Shore Animal League America. Referring to his experiences and what he has witnessed, Verdino shared with Huff Post that dogs are less reactive to low level of pain stimuli. He supposedly administers CBD to his dog because he typically gets spooked out by the dark. Once the dog ingests CBD, he seems to just go to sleep.
Whats the lesson to be learned from this? Thats something that remains unveiled. More specifically, the really interesting question that stems from this is whether CBD works in reducing the dogs anxiety levels, or was it able to increase drowsiness leading to sleep? To date, there really isnt an answer as to how CBD interacts with ones endocannabinoid system (in both human and pets cases).
Another veterinarian, Stephanie McGrath spoke of her viewpoint on CBD for pets with CNET. Like Verdino, McGrath found the lack of research alarming. She first looked into its uses back in 2013 and 2014, in which she shared that there was no, real, good scientific literature in the human world, let alone the veterinary research world.
Today, she is deemed one of the initiating researchers within the veterinary cannabis field. Her study in 2016 looked at different how dogs reacted to different CBD infusions. She was able to conclude a preferred medium, however, do the results tell a complete story becomes food for thought. In particular, she said:
All weve basically done is give this drug to these dogs and said, okay, this is what were seeing, but whether or not the blood levels achieved are adequate enough to treat certain diseases, we dont know yet.
While McGrath is optimistic about CBD, noting that it would be an alternative that is consistent and carries very little side effects, she hesitates in recommending CBD to pet owners, depending on a dogs health condition.
For instance, she shared that she would be concerned about giving CBD to a dog with liver issues because CBD, as per the veterinarian, gets metabolized by the liver. Furthermore, she is unsure as to whether or not she would give CBD to a dog who takes another medication that also gets metabolized in the liver. All-in-all, her concerns stem from not knowing how interactions between CBD and the body, along with what CBD and how the presence of other prescription medications work together.
Finally, lets look at what New Jersey-based, award-winning veterinarian, Dr. Adam Christman has to share regarding CBD uses for pets. In discussing this topic with the Huffington Post, a veterinarian, who is also a board member of the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association, deems that theres anecdotal evidence regarding the benefits of CBD for pets.
In mentioning the 2017 Cornell University study, which involved administering CBD to dogs with osteoarthritis twice a day, he argued that:
The result seems to support anecdotal reports of CBD oils benefits for pain and anxiety. However, we are truly unsure of its true safety and potential drug interactions with traditional medications. Therefore, theres a very gray zone on this.
Christman, like the previously mentioned veterinarians, seems to be aware of the proclaimed benefits of taking CBD, but have chosen to take on a neutral stance because of the lack of understanding on how CBD works. Without this information, even the thought of a veterinarian recommending products seems to have become a dragging their feet task!
The FDA has yet to approve all of the benefits of CBD that consumers are already been made aware of. So far, they have only approved one CBD-based prescription medication for humans called Epidiolex. Based on a post from earlier this year by NBC News, who referenced spokesperson, Lindsay Haake, the FDA has placed no restrictions on extralabel use of Epidiolex in animals.
Some of the areas that the FDA will be focusing on moving forward include marijuana and marijuana-derived products advertised for pet use. Haake reminded consumers that, once again, the claims made regarding CBD should not be assumed safe to use. In the event that one requires clarification of any doubts that may arise, it is best to seek help and advice from a veterinarian before beginning a CBD regime with their own pets.
Verdino has given his thoughts as to which CBD brand to go with. According to the veterinarian, it is ideal to go with a targeted pet-specific product. This was mentioned merely to understand and keep in mind when considering purchasing a CBD for your pet, because of the many different concentrations of CBD on the market, which is typically much lower for pets than humans due to the pet's sensitivities.
Besides a tailored product, Verdino prefers one that is more veterinary-specific and made using a reputable company and manufacturer. An example he says is that of the human-targeted CBD gummies. For starters, he said gummies come in different flavors, which can either be natural or artificial, i.e. Xylitol. An ingredient like Xylitol may not be harmful to humans, but they are deemed toxic to animals.
McGraths study in 2016 looked at different methods of delivery of CBD and its effects on dogs. She primarily looked at the effectiveness of CBD products that can come in many different forms, such as, capsules, oils, and topical solutions. Each dog was reported to have been administered a single dose of each of the three delivery methods, and then their blood levels were measured over 12 hours.
Of the three delivery methods, McGraths study found that the CBD oil itself had the best pharmacokinetic profile. Simply put, the oil was absorbed in the blood at a high concentration, then continued to remain in the blood for a substantial period of time and performed consistently across different variety's of dogs. Following the CBD oil, the capsule delivery method came in second, with the topical creams coming in last, because the topical cremes had supposedly performed inconsistently.
In addition to CBD oils possibly being one of the best method of deliveries for pets, McGrath emphasized on quality control. This, again, has to do with the cannabis markets lack of regulation from the FDA. Due to the lack of regulations, products may be potentially mislabeled. This poses a problem because a cannabinoid like THC, might be advertised as not being present in the product, but even the slightest presence could be toxic to cats and dogs.
Even as obvious as it may sound, but in reality, consumers do not always read the products ,abels for direction of use and doseages. Reading the product labels can allow the consumer to look for helpful aspects that induce a sense of confidence, while depicting how much a brand cares about what they are delivering.
As per cannabis consultant and co-founder of the Veterinary Cannabis Academy, Stephen Cital, labels including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and/or the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) seal are some indicators of the use of safe ingredients in product offerings. This was underlined because certain human-friendly ingredients arent so friendly for pets (i.e. the aforementioned Xylitol and grapeseed oil among others) reports the Washington Post.
Another way to assess a brand is by their level of transparency, which includes making their Certificate of Analysis (CoA) available to consumers. The CoA is granted only to a brand when independent third-party testing has been verified and followed through on. This also allows pet owners to understand the strength/concentration of CBD within a product.
Founder of Veterinary Cannabis Education, Casara Andre also discussed CBD uses with Washington Post, where she advised consumers that CBD may or may not interact with medication. In particular, she said:
We do see the strength of pharmaceuticals increase when dogs are taking CBD, so we can often taper down some of those pharmaceuticals.
That said, she recommends speaking to a veterinarian first. While they might not have all the exact answers, they surely have enough medical background to give sound advice and possibly give recommendations on reducing the possible risks of harming the pet's life.
When it comes to dosage, there is no exact amount that is recommended, whether it be humans or animals. The reason why this is so, as per Andre, is because cannabis is a very individualized medicine, therefore, the best way to approach dosing is by start[ing] low and go[ing] slow. The expert also believes it is ideal to retort to tinctures rather than chew treats merely because it becomes easier to track how much has already been administered.
One factor that is rarely spoken of is how ones CBD goods are stored. Cital once again shares why this factor is a crucial one. The main argument he makes is that, oils and treats can change when exposed to either heating or extreme cold. Any alteration in color could imply damages introduced. In particular, he shared:
Cannabinoids are susceptible to degradation. Oils and treats should be kept at room temperature and away from bright lights or sunlight [] If you have an oil that has changed colors, its probably damaged and should be discarded.
The above clearly shows that pet owners have a lot of assessments to do. One would assume that evaluating a brand would suffice, but due to the lack of understanding and statistically significant results, the smallest detail cannot go unmissed. In addition to the brand, labels, and lab results provided, pet owners need to evaluate why theyve chosen CBD as a solution for their pets, and what this means for the latter. Some questions to bear in mind:
The list is truly ongoing, and this is good because this gives researchers several possible directions to take to study the relationship between CBD and pet health.
The following list of products is compiled based on some of the previously mentioned factors that pet owners have to assess. While some products are veterinarian-specific, others are not. This is not to say that one is better than the other, but more so to give consumers an idea of what is commonly found in products from different brands.
Elevate CBD manufactures doctor-developed, pharmaceutical quality, lab-tested, CBD products. A key player on this team includes Senior Medical Advisor, Dr. Murdoc Khaleghi who is tasked with developing and testing the overall effectiveness of Elevate CBD products.
As for Elevate CBDs pet line, the only product currently available is the Dog Wellness Biscuits. Each biscuit is said to contain 5mg of hemp extract with under 0.3 percent of THC by weight. Each batch of biscuits is baked with natural ingredients while avoiding the likes of salt, sugar, additives or preservatives. Finally, not only were the biscuits produced in an FDA-registered, GMP facility, but they also underwent testing to optimize the accuracy of potency, quality, and safety.
MediPets is a pharmacist-formulated CBD brand that offers a solution to pets of all breeds and sizes. Some of the different products pet owners can choose from including CBD treats, oils and sprays. All of the products are made from USA-based hemp and have undergone third-party testing. Deemed the pioneer within the CBD industry for pets, MediPets only uses organic and all-natural hemp.
If one looks closely at the oils being offered, it is clear that each formula has been tailored to accommodate a pets size along with a wide range of strengths (i.e. regular to extremely strong). According to their official website, a tiered system was used for dosing where pets that fall under Tier 1 should be given 0.05mg per lb of body weight followed by Tier 2 (0.125mg/lb) and Tier 3 (0.25mg/lb).
HempMy Pet is a vertically integrated hemp company that uses organic ingredients in their products. Also, the ingredients used are deemed 100% human-grade, which means that their pet products can also be consumed by humans. The source of hemp goes back to Colorado, with every product containing full-spectrum hemp extract. In addition to being gluten-free, pets are offered goods that are also GMO-free, pesticide-free, cruelty-free and free of any fillers, additives, and others. Again, the choices are endless, as they carry dog treats and oils to sprays.
King Kanine has developed several pet products to date. The first of its like is the King Komb, which aims to eliminate the shedding. Moving slightly away from self-cleaning tools is their King KALM CBD Oil consisting of CBD and arctic krill oil.
In addition to manufacturing and quality-testing processes, the team at King Kanine abides by strict compliance with local and federal laws. In 2018, the brand was recognized for carrying the best CBD products. Finally, when it comes to the CBD line itself, pet owners can pick from oils, dog balms, and sprays.
ElleVet Sciences is devoted to offering pets scientifically proven products. Given the obvious existence of anecdotal evidence supporting CBDs effectiveness in pets and owners, the team at ElleVet Sciences took a step further by partnering with the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine to conduct a clinical trial. Said study led to the conclusion that 85 percent of dogs experienced a positive, statistically significant improvement in terms of their comfort levels and happiness.
Currently, the veterinary-focused brand offers CBD oils and chews. The reason for offering these two delivery methods rests in ensuring that pets have options to choose from. Oils are deemed ideal for pets who have a food allergy, skin sensitivity and are known to having a longer-lasting effect, while chews are argued as being a proper way of tending to picky eaters and smaller dogs.
Medterra CBD takes pride in being U.S. Hemp Authority Certified. This means that the brand abides by high standards, best practices and self-regulation, and goes above and beyond in ensuring that the offerings are safe for pets. Products contain Kentucky-based industrial hemp, which abides by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. To ensure consistency and purity across all products, the team takes extensive measures in lab-testing, primarily ensuring that they have been third-party tested.
The two main delivery methods for pets include oils and chews, where the latter focuses primarily on tending to joint support. As for the oils, they either come in its natural, beef or chicken flavors. That said, consumers need not worry, as the flavored oils are made of a natural proprietary blend safe for pets.
A brand bearing cats and dogs in mind, Therabis CBD aims to regulate pets emotional and physical health among others. Founder, Dr. Stephen M. Katz has over 25 years of veterinarian experience, which is reasoned as being the backbone of this brand. Given his expertise, all products were made with scientific research on mind, each combining natural ingredients and broad-spectrum hemp along with other essential vitamins and minerals.
To ensure quality is on par, each and every good is said to be produced in an FDA-approved, GMP facility with products being tested by third parties labs. As for their offerings, they entail an array of chews focusing on different areas of pet health.
Based on the sample list of products, a number of things can be witnessed right off the bat. First, the source of hemp used is locally grown, all-natural and or organic. In the case that they arent locally grown, the teams appear to have some system in place that traces all steps of a supply chain. This is crucial, as any gap in the supply chain can make it difficult to pinpoint the cause of possible harms that arise from an ineffective product.
Next, THC is anywhere between none to the accepted minimum. One cannot stress how important this piece of information is! A pets bodily system cannot handle as much as a human can. That said, the slight increase in THC could lead to the death of a pet, and this is something that has made the headlines on a number of occasions.
Following cannabinoids, presence comes flavoring. Anything that goes into a product tailored for pets, is once again natural. Across all of the aforementioned brands, not a single artificial ingredient was included. Again, this is vital, as preservatives that humans are accustomed to are deemed toxic for animals.
Finally, testing, testing, and even more testing! When selecting a brand, if no mention on testing has been made, then pet owners should take the time to dig a little deeper. The reason for the need for more information simply rests in the lack of regulation of the CBD market and the honest fact that some brands flourish into existence to ride the waves of profit.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Associations Poison Control Center, there has been a 700 percent increase in marijuana-related poisoning in pets in 2019 alone reports Forbes. This is partly due to the repeated reason that the CBD industry lacks regulation, but also partly because consumers are not given a specific dosage to go by.
While oils appear to be the safest way to go about CBD products for pets, sometimes giving excessive servings can lead to unwanted side effects. Interestingly, it has been found that when CBD-infused treats are excessively fed to pets, they experience tummy aches. Then theres the presence of THC, which can be life-threatening to pets. Other possible symptoms include (but are not limited to):
In addition, AKC TV reported that dogs can experience some of the commonly experienced side effects by humans. These include dry mouth, lowered blood pressure and drowsiness.
One key takeaway of this piece is that when pet owners are in doubt, they should seek advice from veterinarians. While this is an intuitive move, theres just so much help that said professionals can offer. Veterinarians can help educate consumers on the risk of cannabinoids for animals, the existence of unapproved products in the market and measures that can be taken to limit the potential harm from ingesting CBD. That said, heres what veterinarians will not do:
It is important to mention here that the aforementioned only applies to states that do not approve any form of recommendations related to CBD uses for pets.
A common question that is asked among pet owners is how long an oil is expected to last. Knowing this can be helpful in restricting how much is given to pets. That said, on average a two-ounce bottle is expected to last anywhere between 1.5 and 2 months.
According to the American Veterinarian Medical Association, cases involving poisoned pets stems from their ingestion of CBD edibles. This is not because of the presence of toxic ingredients, but particularly ingredients that are deemed toxic for animals. Something as simple as chocolate can negatively affect an animal.
A major indicator if ones dog has been poisoned by some CBD good is if he or she appears depressed and is dribbling urine. Likewise, cats can easily get poisoned if their respective CBD products contain plant material.
In general, CBD providers argue that humans and animals are not likely to experience an overdose. In the case of pets, there really is no yes or no answer. Presently, consumers have been made aware of the fact that too much THC in an animals body can lead to death, but theres really nothing at the moment that can be said regarding CBD. That said, pet owners need to carefully administer and keep track of how much theyve already given.
CBD is not illegal in any of the 50 states ever since the 2018 Farm Bill has passed. That said, consumers need to study what the laws are based on each respective state. For instance, there might be a number of states that support CBD only for medicinal purposes, implying that they need some health professional to consent said uses. Speaking of legality, the majority of the states that have approved CBD uses, have only done so for human consumption. This does not mean that pets also make up this list.
Now, let's transition into why humans take CBD for all of its proclaimed beneficial associations and also mention a few of the top trending cannabidiol-infused edibles that humans eat (and likely give bits and pieces to their pets although may not be recommended given dosage or undesired reaction) as a comparison to the animal-specific brands reviewed above.
Natural remedies seem preferable to traditional medicines for common problems that affect men and women on a daily basis. Those who are interested in a natural remedy may want to consider giving cannabidiol a chance. The good news is that cannabidiol may have a number of potential benefits that could work well to serve user needs.
Here is what users (humans and possibly pets) may expect:
First and foremost, those who suffer from chronic pain may find CBD to be a prime solution. The CBD may be able to address the pain that arises in the endocannabinoid system. To date, CBD has been approved in Canada to help mitigate pain among those who suffer from fibromyalgia and cancer. It also seems that many may turn to CBD because it does not create the same addiction issues as other pain relievers.
Second, CBD may be able to help those who suffer from childhood epilepsy. Limited studies into CBD have been conducted, which found that it has been able to reduce bouts of seizures. In a study published by the New England Journal of Medicine, it was suggested that CBD may be able to reduce the frequency of seizures among those with epilepsy by 23 percent.
Third, CBD may be able to reduce bouts of anxiety and depression. Current studies show that depression impacts about 6% of the population, while depression affects 18%. Those who have PTSD, social anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder may find CBD as a viable solution for such problems.
Fourth, there has been some research concerning CBDs ability to destroy bacteria, particularly those that are resistant to drugs. Although there is still more research needed in the area, the initial findings seem promising. In 2011, a study was conducted concerning CBDs ability to slow down tuberculosis among rats. Researchers surmised, based on the findings, that the CBD was able to prevent the proliferation of T-cells.
Fifth, chronic inflammation tends to be a problem that affects many today. It also may be the underlying cause of various health problems, such as heart disease, autoimmune disease, and more. There is information out there to suggest that CBD may be able to reduce inflammation.
Sixth, oxidative stress is another factor that tends to influence ones health and it occurs when there are too many free radicals in ones system. One study in 2010 determined that CBD oil act as an antioxidant and as a result, it may reduce free radical damage as well.
Seventh, schizophrenia is a terrible health condition and though the traditional management options are therapy and pharmaceutical drugs, some are also turning to CBD to reduce hallucinations. However, there is still more research needed in the area. Further, it should also be noted that products that have THC are likely not going to have a positive impact on the psychosis effect, but rather, they may make it worse.
Eighth, CBD may be able to promote a healthier weight. There are those who suggest that it can help promote fat breakdown, it may burn calories, and it may help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Additionally, CBD may be able to promote the conversation of white fat to brown fat, which is better for the body.
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CBD Pet Products: Best CBD Pet Brands and Animal Administration Guide - TimesOfCBD