CBD For Dogs – Should You Give Your Pet CBD Oil?
For devoted dog owners, there are few things more important than the health and happiness of their four-legged friend. With more and more people using CBD as part of their own health and wellbeing regimes, it follows that they would question whether CBD can help their dogs too. From CBD dog treats, to meat-flavoured CBD dog chews and much more besides, people have been looking to CBD for dogs to see if it can enhance holistic wellness and improve their beloved pooches’ overall quality of life.
Is it Legal to Give Dogs CBD Oil?
The reality is though that currently in the UK, it is illegal to use human-grade CBD products on dogs. The Veterinary Medicine Directorate (VMD) states that “veterinary products containing Cannabidiol (CBD) are veterinary medicines and should be regulated as such”. This means that under UK law, only a qualified veterinarian can prescribe CBD for use in any animal, and it is not legal to purchase and/or administer any human-grade CBD product without a vet’s guidance.
There are lots of products available labelled ‘hemp for dogs’. Hemp has strong therapeutic and dietary qualities, but sometimes we see products labelled as “hemp” which appear to be designed to mislead the consumer by the inference that they contain CBD. Until recently this was also a common practice for charlatan companies trying to hoodwink the human consumer. Unfortunately, CBD cannot be marketed/sold as a product for animals due to restrictions by regulators in the UK (it’s fine in many other countries) so you are unlikely to find it in stores or online and you should really consult your vet if you are interested in the benefits that CBD may offer your pet. It’s important to note that some animals are very sensitive to cannabinoids and this is one of the reasons that veterinary consultation is important.
So, What is CBD?
CBD is a botanical extract derived from the leaves and flowers of the hemp plant. CBD is just one of the many compounds (called cannabinoids) found in the hemp plant, and one which interacts with the human body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). Whilst the exact impact is still difficult to measure and studies are being undertaken all the time, endocannabinoids have been shown to interact with receptors in the body, improving the efficiency of the ECS as a whole. Users of CBD state that when used alongside a health and wellness routine, CBD can help to reset body and mind.
Why Would People Consider Using CBD on Dogs?
A very good question. CBD is an increasingly popular plant-based food supplement in the wellness space and, due to the way CBD interacts in humans, some people wonder about using CBD on their dogs. There is an abundance of anecdotal evidence coming from dog owners that CBD can help stimulate the appetite receptors in dogs who won’t eat, that CBD oil can help to calm rescue dogs who may be displaying signs of anxiety, that topical CBD creams and rubs can help dogs who have arthritis, and that CBD can be a good natural choice of remedy for dogs who have chronic pain conditions. However all of this is purely anecdotal and there is no evidence to prove these claims.
As previously stated, it is not advisable to use CBD on your dog without a prescription from a fully-trained vet. Some vets might suggest using a medicinal dose of CBD for your dog’s ailments, but this should only be administered under their strict advice and is not something you should try to do yourself.
Final Thoughts
Numerous dog owners say that CBD has helped their dogs with symptoms of arthritis, provided pain relief and helped their pooches to remain calm in stressful situations. However, because of the lack of clinical evidence we cannot state this as true and current UK law states that CBD for dogs can only be legally used when under strict guidance from a vet. There is much to be learned about CBD for dogs and we look forward to seeing more evidence come to light as research continues