Cannabis for pets?

The newest and possibly the fastest growing group of users of hemp based products might be in your own home! Have you ever thought about giving medical cannabis to your pets? If your pet is suffering from one of many ailments, it might be worth considering. 

I became aware of medical cannabis for dogs when reading Modern Dog and noticing all the advertisements for various hemp based products. I have to admit I was taken aback…why would I give my dog marijuana? Not really understanding the difference, I decided to do a little research. And here’s what I found. 

Medicical hemp and marijuana come from the same plant - cannabis sativa. It contains many different cannabinoids, including THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidol).  THC is the psychoactive component and what gives people that “high” after smoking a joint. CBD is not psychoactive and is what we’re interested in for our pets.

CBD is found in hemp seed and hemp seed oil and is used to help treat dogs with a variety of issues including pain, arthritis, anxiety, seizures, nausea, cancer and other conditions. it works pretty much the same way as it does in our bodies. Like us, dogs and cats have a endocannabinoid system. CBD acts by targeting receptors in the brain, central nervous system and immune cells that stimulate relaxing effects. It comes in the form of tinctures, topical, or edibles. Tinctures are administered orally, topical is put on the skin and edibles, the easiest option, is found in treats. 

While there hasn’t been much research yet, so far it does seem to be making a difference in pets’ lives. Because all 50 states have approved the use of hemp based CBD products, this is legal to purchase. Dosage amounts vary, so the best advice is to contact your veterinarian to find out how much to give your fur kid. Start slow and be sure not to overdose. It’s also recommended that the product is organic and doesn’t contain pesticides or other chemicals. 

While my own fur kids are not suffering from any of these ailments, now that I know all of this, I will consider giving hemp oil products if their health changes. Have you given it to your fur kid? Would you consider it as well? Share your thoughts with me…leave a comment below or send me an email at info@trinabauerphotography. I’d love to hear your opinions on this subject!

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