1 - Is CBD safe? It is safe if the CBD itself is safe for Veterinary use. Not all CBD manufacturers use strict standards regarding pesticide and chemical use. Not all products are laboratory tested and some products could be made with ingredients that may be harmful to pets. A Certificate of Analysis will state the potency of CBD vrs THC, and if there any detectible pesticides or heavy metals. Unless your pet has elevated liver enzymes, is on blood thinners or heart medication, or is allergic to CBD, CBD is safe for use in all animals.
2 - Will CBD get my pet high? CBD used within the Veterinary industry is made from Hemp and Hemp has under 0.3% THC. THC is the chemical that produces the psycho-active, ‘high’ behavior. The THC in marijuana ranges from 10-40%. Too much CBD at once may produce drowsiness which may be interpreted as ‘high’, this side effect can last up to 6 hours and there has been no known overdosing of CBD when used for pets.
3 - Is CBD scientifically proven? Yes. There have been many human and several veterinary clinical trials that have proven that CBD does have an effect on certain conditions. The FDA has approved 3 CBD derived human medications for seizures associated with epilepsy and additional clinical trials involving humans and pet patients have been conducted and are currently underway. Learn more about previous and current trials in the 'Learn" section in this website.
4 - Is CBD legal? Only CBD made from Hemp is legal and CBD from hemp is used in veterinary medicine. In 2018 the Federal government made all hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC, legal in all 50 states. All states allow for the possession of hemp products as long as the person is over the required age for that state.
5 - Is using a product with 0.3% THC safe to use on animals? Limited research indicates that THC in extremely small amounts is well-tolerated in healthy pets that do not have liver disease. CBD from hemp must contain less than (0.3% or less) THC. There have been liver toxicity studies involving marijuana containing 10-40% THC. One of the earliest studies investigating the effect of cannabis on the liver was published in The Lancet in 1971; abnormal liver enzymes and hepatic dysfunction were found in young consumers (human) who were chronic marijuana users. More definitive research in the areas of hemp is needed.
Resources
How to talk to you Vet about CBD?
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/talk-veterinarian-cbd-oil/
CBD for Dogs and Cats What’s new?
https://todaysveterinarynurse.com/articles/cbd-for-dogs-and-cats-whats-new/
CBD Oil For Dogs. What you need to know.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/cbd-oil-dogs/