Heard about CBD oil but unsure whether it’s right for your pet?
I know how you feel, as that was me 6 months ago. I’d just received a call from our vet telling me that one of our French Bulldogs (Opie) was in a bad way regarding his spine, and the best that we could do for him was put him on medication for the rest of his life to manage any pain he may be experiencing. Given that some of the key side effects of the recommended medication included nutrient deficiencies (integral for musculoskeletal and nerve health), sedation, diarrhoea, vomiting, depression and loss of coordination, I knew I owed it to my boy to consider other options – which is when I started looking into CBD oil for dogs and came across CBD Vets Australia.
It’s now been over 6 months since we started Opie on CBD oil prescribed by a vet trained and knowledgable in the use of CBD for animals, and we couldn’t be happier. Within a few weeks of starting the CBD oil we noticed a marked improvement in his mobility and energy levels, along with a happier demeanour overall. But when I mention to people that my dog is on CBD oil, I often get concerned looks and a lot of questions! So below I cover the main frequently asked questions and explain how to access CBD to treat your pet.
What is CBD oil?
CBD (Cannabidiol ) is a type of cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant species. Since its discovery in 1940, it has been researched for a range of medicinal actions in humans. More recently, investigations into the use of CBD for our beloved pets has surged and following its use overseas it is now legally available in Australia through prescription from your local vet.
How does CBD work in the body?
CBD works through its relationship with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a complex system interdependent and interwoven with pretty much every other system in the body. It has dynamic relationships with the immune, digestive, cardiovascular, and nervous systems.
Why would I consider CBD for my pet’s health concerns?
In recent years, we’ve seen a surge in the interest around the use of CBD – not only in human medicine, but in veterinary care too. That’s because scientific research, along with extensive anecdotal evidence, have highlighted the effectiveness of CBD oil in managing a range of different health concerns in our pets. CBD is not a therapy for every health disorder, but currently veterinarians may recommend CBD to treat:
- Chronic pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Palliative care
- Anxiety
- Epilepsy
- Skin conditions.
What benefits will I see in my pet?
The benefits for CBD in animals are similar to those for humans assisting with inflammation, pain and mood.
The Veterinary Director at CBD Vets Australia, Dr Christopher Lee explains, “I have seen first-hand how CBD oil can be used not just for pain control but also for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, as well as a mood balancer for animals”.
He also notes “As a new modality of therapy, with its lack of significant side effects and wide safety margins, CBD is a viable alternative for long term pain control and an exciting adjunct therapy for veterinarians.”
Australian pet owners are sharing positive outcomes now that CBD is available in Australia, using it to assist with symptoms of cancer, diabetes and gastrointestinal concern as well as administering it for palliative care.
Dr Rebecca Dowling BVSc from Sunset Home Veterinary Care has been using CBD oil on a number of her pet-patients. She comments, “ It’s helpful for the muscle pain in dogs with arthritis. It has improved the ease of falling asleep and being less restless during the night for many dogs and we assume this is because they are less painful. It has also been helpful for anxiety – especially the anxiety associated with their conditions.”
Is CBD safe?
There has been some initial research into the safety of CBD oil in cats and dogs. Dogs have been shown to tolerate CBD oil in relatively high doses. In safety studies and trials of dogs taking CBD oil the most common side effect observed has been diarrhoea. Other less common side effects include redness around the ears or discharge from the eyes.
Cats seem to metabolise CBD quite differently from dogs and other animals with poorer absorption and faster excretion. The main side effects cats showed were excessive licking and head shaking, and less commonly, pacing and chewing. Food consumption and body weight weren’t affected by CBD in cats and unlike dogs, cats don’t seem to exhibit any gastrointestinal side effects to CBD oil treatment.
While side effects from CBD are possible, when administered by a knowledgeable vet they can be mitigated or avoided with a careful dosing schedule.
Do animals feel “high” taking CBD oil?
CBD is one of many cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Another well-known compound in the cannabis plant is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Whilst coming from the same plant, CBD and THC have different effects.
THC is the most active constituent of cannabis and has a psychological effect. It creates a mind-altering “high”. Dogs have a higher level of CB1 receptors in the brain than humans making them more susceptible to the psychoactive effects of THC. Thus, any cannabis product that has not been legally bought on prescription is potentially dangerous for your dog, as you can’t guarantee there won’t be harmful levels of THC inside.
Unlike THC, CBD is not intoxicating and won’t provide the euphoric or ‘high’ feeling. CBD products adhere to regulations stipulating a THC content of less than 0.2%, this means medical CBD has so little THC that it will not cause your pet to feel intoxicated, and is thus deemed not harmful to your beloved pet.
Should I buy CBD oil online?
Buying CBD for your pet online is illegal in Australia. There are many downsides and dangers that come with administering medicine from an unknown, unlicensed vendor and without medical advice from a qualified vet practitioner.
Online and black market products may be of poor quality and contain contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, insecticides or bacteria, which could do more harm than good to your dog. Ambiguities such as these result in a risk of reduced safety, quality, and efficacy. Also of concern for dogs, is the level of THC in the product which can cause adverse side effects.
What’s the difference between CBD oil and hemp seed oil?
Hemp seed oil and CBD oil are both derived from cannabis plants. Hemp seed oil or hemp oil is extracted from the seeds of cannabis plants that contain less than 0.0075% CBD and 0.005% of the intoxicating THC. Therefore it is classed as a food source that may contribute towards general well-being as a supplement but it is not considered to possess therapeutic value.
CBD oil differs in that it is extracted from the flowers and stalks of the hemp, as well as other cannabis varieties, and is widely researched for its potential therapeutic properties.
How much does CBD oil cost?
You may have seen articles that suggest that medicinal cannabis obtained through legal pathways for animal healthcare is a lot more expensive than what is obtained on the black market. However, on average, the price of medicinal cannabis CBD prescribed legally has come down to be on par with the black market, as it has for CBD for humans.
How can I access CBD for my pet
CBD Vets Australia is the first company in Australia to offer legal medicinal cannabis treatment options to Australian vets, along with providing education and support on this exciting new health treatment option for animals.
First step is to talk to your local vet. If they haven’t prescribed CBD before they can visit the CBD Vets Australia website to register their interest and learn prescribing protocols. Alternatively, you can contact CBD Vets Australia to find a local prescribing vet.
Get in touch
You can contact CBD Vets Australia on: (02) 8294 9303 or info@cbdvetsaustralia.com.au
Want to learn more?