How do veterinarians really feel about CBD for dogs?

CBD has received increased attention in treating various canine issues. From reduced anxiety, pain, and even seizures, it is catching the attention of both dog owners and veterinarians alike.

But like any new popular trend or fast emerging product marketed to make our lives easier – it’s going to have its fair share of pushback, particularly when it comes to health. Applying this to our pets just adds a whole other layer.

As a result, the CBD market is now rising with CBD-related questions from pet owners everywhere, as more people get access to products. And veterinarians everywhere are feeling the impact, being the source of a number of questions, requests, and expectations among patients regarding CBD’s effects on dogs.

Can it help my dog’s chronic pain?

Will it alleviate symptoms of cancer?

Can it chill my anxious dog when I need to leave the house?

The answer is… there is no definitive answer. Currently, CBD has been reported heavily via anecdotal evidence given by pet owners to assist in pain & arthritis relief. However, it’s important to note that due to the evolving, growing nature of this sector, there are going to be diverse opinions. Thus far, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) believes that research of CBD as a treatment for animals is still very limited. On the other hand, it can’t be denied that there are success stories – both within scientific and anecdotal evidence.

When it comes to discussing it as a treatment with your veterinarian, that’s where things get a bit more tricky. Some vets are on board with CBD for dogs, some have not reviewed the research, and some have their apprehensions.

The Great Vet Divide: What side are you on?

This anonymous survey conducted by the VIN News Service in early 2018 assessed veterinarian’s views of CBD/hemp products, with a total of 2,130 respondents. 63% of veterinarians reported they were asked about CBD oil at least once a month.

Some of the most interesting stats to come out of this survey based on first-hand observations or owner reports of:

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain, 34% identified CBD as very helpful, and 56% as somewhat helpful.

Acute Pain

Acute pain, with 23% assessing it was very helpful and 60% as somewhat helpful.

Anxiety & Seizure Frequency

75% of vets that participated noticed CBD as being helpful at reducing anxiety and seizure frequency.

More pertinent though is 85% reported rarely or never initiating conversations about CBD with their clients.

So why don’t some vets recommend CBD?

So far, the two most common reasons that come up as to why a vet would not advise or recommend CBD are lack of knowledge and illegality. Let’s go further into both these reasons.

Lack of CBD Knowledge

The fact is, public popularity and curiosity for CBD are surging faster than research on the matter. While there are some promising scientific studies and trials, it’s still relatively scarce and so far, most of what we know is related to CBD’s impact on humans. It’s not yet clear about what exactly CBD products are effective for, and what the potential long-term side effects may be. With that comes misunderstandings of CBD dosage for dogs and interference with other drugs.

In recent years, however, more and more research has been performed on CBD for dogs to address these concerns.

While there is some encouraging sentiment for further deep dives into CBD, for now, many vets are on the fence because they can’t, in good confidence, assure that it will be a helpful remedy. As more more evidence-based research emerges, medical professionals are better equipped to provide precise recommendations.

If you decide to try CBD for your dog, at the very least, vets and CBD experts will advise getting a certificate of analysis (COA) from the brand to ensure safe and accurate ingredients. Here is our list of the top CBD oils for dogs with their COA’s.

Additionally, choose a product made for animals from a reputable CBD manufacturer. Human-friendly CBD products in gummy form might contain Xylitol which is toxic for animals.

Legal Ambiguity

The majority of U.S. states have passed legislation allowing medical marijuana for use in humans (under strict guidelines). This is good news for clinical trials, as this bill will open up a lot of research into CBD for human consumption.

In the terrain of veterinary medicine, the situation hasn’t really changed. There are not yet CBD products approved for use in animals, therefore veterinarians (under federal law in the U.S.) are not at liberty to legally administer, recommend, or prescribe CBD for pets.

This doesn’t mean you can’t purchase CBD for your dog on your own will, on the contrary – you can legally purchase hemp-derived CBD products for dogs, as long as you’re 21 or older. But in most cases, you might not have the liberty to go through a vet for final approval.

Given this, CBD for pets looks different depending on the state and even on a clinic basis. In fact, recently in California, on September 27, 2018, lawmakers passed legislation that makes it legal for licensed vets to discuss cannabis products with their patients. While this doesn’t go the lengths of allowing a prescription, it’s still forward momentum. So far California is the only state to pass this kind of bill but the veterinary boards in Colorado and Oregon allow vets to also discuss cannabis with their patients.

One of the main roadblocks to widespread regulation is the limited research into the effects of CBD to treat dogs. As a result, the FDA hasn’t yet approved CBD for use in dogs. But research won’t continue to develop without legal backup. As states continue to pass statutes allowing further research, we could see more leeway. For now though, what about the vets that are discussing CBD and its effects?

Why some vets support CBD

In the event that you bring up cannabis at your next veterinarian appointment, there may also be some support for discussing CBD based on the following reasons:

They’ve seen positive effects in patients

Veterinarian holding CBD oilWhether or not they’ve been actively responsible for a patient deciding to purchase CBD for their pet, vets will still see the effects displayed over time once they know a dog is taking CBD. As a result, they start to see the benefits of CBD.

They’ve used it on their own pet

Another prevalent sense of reasoning behind a vet’s support for CBD is based on the positive response they’ve seen in their own pet. Based on some digging, vets are slowly coming out of the woodwork and are honest about their own use of CBD. For example, Dr. Mark Verdino uses CBD for his dog, a senior who gets jumpy in the evenings and it relaxes his dog and helps with the symptoms of anxiety.

Dr. Jeffrey Powers has also used CBD with his own dog who suffers from arthritis and storm anxiety. He put his St. Bernard dog, Ella, on hemp CBD oil and CBD chews, then observed her good response compared to other treatment options.

Obviously, there’s a very emotional connection to our pets and their wellbeing, so it’s no surprise that a veterinarian could be swayed if they see their beloved pet feel better after taking CBD oil.

How to talk to your vet about CBD for your dog

It’s only natural to want to talk to your vet about any changes in your dog’s health and inquire before introducing something new to their diet. While you shouldn’t be alarmed at talking to your vet about CBD, it’s important to be cognizant that your vet will likely be unable to prescribe or recommend CBD products to you at this time. And currently, it’s up to you to initiate the conversation.

But that doesn’t mean they don’t want to discuss this with you. Here are some tips for talking to your vet about CBD oil to help you make the best decision for your dog:

  • Know that as a pet owner, you should feel comfortable talking or bringing up any topic with your vet. But if you’re able, try to find a vet that has experience with CBD.

  • Keep in mind that there are still legal restrictions depending on location.

  • Be honest about your goals for CBD use and why you want to administer it to your dog.
  • Ask if they have any opinion or understanding about side effects and/or dosage.
  • Tell them about your pet’s medical history and any other medications you give or have administered to your dog to evaluate potential drug interactions.
  • Be open to hearing their recommendations for alternative products or medications.
  • If you’ve already started your dog on CBD prior, keep a journal and track symptoms, patterns, and trends that emerge, both positive and negative.
  • Bring the CBD product you choose in its original packaging to have your vet assess ingredients (just ask your clinic if you can do this or should you bring photos, as cannabis laws vary).

Conclusion

For the most part, CBD oil hasn’t seen many adverse short-term negative side effects in dogs thus far, unless it has been taken in excess. But most of the results so far are based on anecdotal, pet owner experiences with CBD. Hopefully, in the years to come, more clinical research is released and it’s more normalized among the veterinary world. Laws and studies are always ongoing and changing. If you want to explore using CBD oil for your dog, do thorough research and let your vet know.