Advice and Tips About Pets and Cannabis

It comes as no surprise to me to discover that many pet-owners are giving their four-legged companions cannabis-based medicines like CBD oil.

It sounds logical enough right? I mean you should definitely not treat your new puppies worms by giving it a cannabis brownie. But, I believe there could really be some legitimacy to the concept.

When our pets get sick of course we want take care of them. We go to extreme lengths to care for the health of our loved ones and it should be no different for our pets.

Dogs and cats are more than just animals that live with us, they’re members of our family and our best friends. They bring us joy and companionship without question or criticism.

A Brief Note About Doctors and Veterinarians

Doctors and veterinarians cannot legally write recommendations for cannabis or provide cannabis products without risking their career. They can talk about the risks and benefits with you though.

That being said, it can be hard for loving pet-owners to find reliable, practical information and guidance on the topic.

But, don’t fret! If you are considering treating your pet with cannabis medicine, than the Cannabis Tutor is here for you.

I’m going to help you understand why cannabis based medicines could be a good option for your pet and how to safely go about it.

How Compounds in Cannabis Affect Animals

Research on cannabis and pets is scant to say the least. However, any animal that has a spinal chord or backbone will also have an endocannabinoid system.

That includes dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, and even your reptilian pets.

The endocannabinoid systems of humans and animals, in a broad sense, are quite similar. The system controls a variety of biological functions and even dictates immunological and neurological responses.

When this system is out of balance or functioning abnormally, illness will typically manifest. Cannabis based medicines work by targeting and activating the endocannabinoid system.

Essentially, your pets benefit from cannabis therapy in the same way that you do.

Gastrointestinal disorders, anxiety-related issues, pain, seizures, and even cancers that commonly effect house pets could all potentially be addressed with cannabis medicines.

There is a safe way to go about this. You don’t want Whiskers the cat mistaking your medical marijuana for catnip, and shouldn’t really need to get your dog stoned.

Veterinarians & Cannabis

People are becoming more aware that traditional pharmaceuticals aren’t always the safest and most effective. They could even complicate issues with adverse side effects.

Caring pet owners are seeking out holistic health methods for their animals, and rightly so.

When our beloved pets have health problems it can be difficult to know what the best options are. We have no choice but to trust our veterinarian’s advice.

While there are a growing number of veterinarians moving to more holistic health practices, cannabis education is severely lacking.

If your regular vet can’t help you with you with your questions, The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association is full of open-minded professionals who may be able to.

While I’m no veterinarian, I do know quite a bit about cannabis medicine. That being said, I’ve come up with some tips to help pet-owners who decide to take a more holistic medicine approach with their pets.

4 Tips About Pets & Cannabis Medicine

Many hemp and cannabis products on the legal market aren’t all they are cracked up to be. Manufacturers aren’t required to tell you what’s in their products either.

Just as with any other supplement or medicine, it’s important to know what’s in it. Here are some tips to consider when thinking about giving your pets cannabis medicine.

For a detailed guide about how to shop for cannabis medicines, read my article linked here.

1. Know the Source

CBD oil sourced from industrial hemp has a high potential to be contaminated with heavy metals and chemical solvent residue.

Ask about manufacturers source and extraction methods.

You can learn more about the difference between hemp oil and cannabis oil in my article linked here.

2. Know the Dose

Many people choose to make their own cannabis medicines at home. It’s easier to titrate the appropriate dosage of liquid medicines like oils or tinctures than it is with edibles or pills.

You can learn more about making your own infusions in my article linked here.

3. Start With Low Doses

Cannabis will affect each pet uniquely according to a variety of factors, especially the dosage and potency of the medicine.

My advice is to start in very small doses at first. You can increase the dose in small increments until you find what works best.

4. Know Your Medicine

Research suggests that cannabis medicine works best when there is a full-spectrum of cannabinoids present. It’s important to know the potency and ratio of cannabinoids in a medicine.

CBD is non-psychoactive and hasn’t been associated with any adverse side effects. THC is psychoactive and could potentially trigger anxiety or panic in pets.

Dogs may be especially sensitive to THC as they typically show greater concentrations of cannabinoid receptors expressed in the brain.

You can read more about cannabis pharmacology in my article linked here.

Learn more about CBD, THC, terpenes and the importance of full-spectrum cannabis medicine in my article linked here.

Is Cannabis A Preventative Medicine

Sometimes people don’t have any medical issues, but still claim health benefits from regular using cannabis regularly. Could your pet benefit from regular cannabinoid therapy?

It’s logical to assume cannabinoids could be used as a supplement for the preventative healthcare.

This may be especially applicable to humans and animals with abnormalities or deficiencies of endocannabinoids or cannabinoid receptors.

Research suggests that cannabis, in pets, is most effective at treating neurological symptoms associated with stress, anxiety, or depression.

Often our pets can have these same psychological issues. Full spectrum CBD medicines may be able to help your pet relax or feel happier, but the root triggers and causes of stress should always be addressed first.

So, What’s The Conclusion On Pets and CBD?

Many loving pet-owners have used cannabis-based medicines to help their four legged friends when they’re not feeling well.

In pets, it appears that cannabis is most successful with conditions like pain management, seizure control, gastrointestinal disorders, and anxiety-related issues.

Take some time to talk with your local veterinarian about cannabis medicines and pets. It could be helpful to also have a chat with your cat, or to talk with your dog too.

If you decide to try out cannabis medicine with your pet, do so with love, care, and caution.

Share Your Story

Have you ever used cannabis medicines with a pet? Do you think cannabis is safe and effective medicine for people and animals? Did you find this article helpful?

Join the discussion and share your thoughts, opinions, and experiences in the discussion section below.