Cannabis for dogs?

New laws relating to the use of cannabidiol (CBD) have led to several products derived from this cannabis molecule being granted market authorisation.

From Canada to the States, and even for our Swedish neighbours, CBD products are cropping up everywhere, even in pet food. So what exactly is it? CBD is a cannabinoid found in hemp, which, unlike THC, does not have psychotropic properties. Instead, CBD is known to offer several benefits for our health (anti-inflammatory, pain relief and more).

But what about for our dogs? Apparently, CBD offers the same benefits for our four-legged friends too. A small study conducted at the University of Colorado looked at the effects of CBD on epileptic fits in dogs. The results showed that fits were reduced by 89% for dogs treated with CBD. In 2018, too, another study published positive results on the effects of CBD on dog arthritis.

Still, neither the long-term nor large-scale effects of CBD have yet been tested, so we need to be careful with doses and, ideally, wait for more studies, regulations and guidelines to be published before feeding any to our furry friends.