CBD oil vs. Marijuana for Dogs: What's the difference?
If you have a dog with arthritis, chronic pain, cancer, or other serious medical conditions, you may have heard about the potential benefits of CBD for dogs. However, this unfortunately often brings up more questions than answers.
Is marijuana for dogs safe? And how is this different from CBD? Which is better?
Don’t worry, we’re here to help you sort through the confusion so you can make the best decision for your furry friend.
CBD vs. Marijuana for Dogs: Understanding the Basics
The first thing pet owners who are considering cannabis for dogs need to understand is the difference between giving your dog cannabis with THC versus a CBD product. Cannabidiol (CBD) has many beneficial properties, including offering pain relief, decreased inflammation, increased appetite, and decreased anxiety.
Dogs who have consumed CBD will often feel a sense of relaxation and calm but will not have any mind-altering effects or the euphoric feelings often associated with being “high.”
The feeling that most people associate with consuming marijuana is caused by THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol).
Which is Safer for Dogs?
Now that we’ve covered the differences between CBD and THC for dogs, the next obvious question is which is safer?
Unfortunately, very little research has been done in regards to medical marijuana for pets. On the other hand, there has been a great deal of success in using CBD to treat a variety of dog ailments.
There have also been significant studies regarding a phenomenon called the entourage effect. It basically says that you’ll get much better results when you use CBD and THC together. For this reason, many pet owners choose to use a CBD product with a trace amount (0.3% or lower) of THC.
This trace amount is safe for animal consumption and still won’t create any type of a “high” feeling. It’s important, however, to understand that marijuana products intended for humans, like edibles and flower, contain much higher concentrations of THC, and at these levels, it becomes dangerous for dogs.
Consuming high-THC products can create some potentially serious side effects in dogs including:
- Lack of coordination
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Increased hunger
- Incontinence
While it’s a good idea to talk to your vet before giving your dog any type of supplement, it’s always best to lean towards CBD and away from anything containing more than a trace amount of THC.
Hemp products are usually high in CBD and low in THC. To be sure, though, always read labels carefully. If you still have questions, reach out to the company to ask what’s in their products before giving it to your dog.
Legal Issues
Is medical marijuana for dogs even legal? The answer to this question is … it depends.
First, it’s important to note that the Federal Controlled Substances Act labels marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug (the same as heroin). This means that even in states where marijuana use is legal, it’s still illegal in the eyes of the federal government.
However, the legal definition of “marijuana” under the act doesn’t include the plant’s stalks. So if a CBD oil is made from “marijuana,” it would be illegal, but if it’s made from hemp, it’s not. Pretty confusing, right?
To keep things simple, assume that CBD products that do not contain more than 0.3% of THC and are marketed as being legal in all states are legally okay for you to use. On the other hand, while state laws regarding the use of medical marijuana for pets vary, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not condone the use of medical marijuana for pets.
This gray area may mean that your vet is reluctant to discuss using CBD or marijuana products to treat your pet’s ailment. For this reason, you may be on your own when it comes to making this decision.
However, that shouldn’t stop you from making the right decisions when it comes to getting your pet the relief it needs. Our pets can’t speak up for themselves, so they rely on us to advocate for them. If veterinary assistance is important to you, try looking for a holistic vet who will be more open-minded about these types of alternative treatments.
The Future of Medical Marijuana for Dogs
As marijuana use among humans grows in popularity, there’s a good chance that it will eventually be used for pets on a greater scale. One thing is for sure, the use of cannabis and CBD products for pets isn’t going away any time soon. Too many pet owners have seen real results and the word is out.
As more people get on board and further studies are done, there’s a greater chance that it will become an even greater part of mainstream veterinary treatment for a variety of conditions.
There are currently many studies underway, but it will take time for the results to come out. In the meantime, the efficacy and safety of these products isn’t guaranteed.
If you’re going to use a CBD product for your pet, you’ll want to take the time to do your research. Then, learn more about the company, its products, and its extraction methods. Ideally, you’ll want to purchase products that have been independently tested by a third-party lab.
These results will give you a solid understanding of the product’s purity and strength. This is important for ensuring that you’re able to give your dog the proper dosage. Purity testing also ensures that the product doesn’t contain any harmful elements that could end up hurting your dog. The last thing you want to do is unintentionally end up doing more harm than good.
Treat Your Dog Safely with High-Quality CBD Products
Now that you understand the difference between CBD and marijuana for dogs, you’re ready to find the right products to bring your pet relief.
At Mile High Pawducts, we carry a variety of full-spectrum CBD oil in multiple strengths. Take a look through our inventory today and feel free to contact us if you need some help choosing the right product for your pet!
