The Cannabidiol trend is raging these days because of its purported benefits when it comes to addressing multiple ailments such as chronic pain, inflammation, depression, anxiety, etc. Unlike many people think, CBD is not only reported to be beneficial for human beings but also animals. Note that many studies in the field claim that CBD can be used to alleviate many issues in cats and dogs including lack of appetite, pain, anxiety, etc.
While many veterinarians believe in the magical power of this cannabis drug, the federal laws in the country make it impossible for them to prescribe or recommend it to pet owners. If you own a furry friend and would like to treat it with medical cannabis, below are some of the important things that you must know when it comes to considering CBD for pets.
It is not legally possible for vets to prescribe cannabis to pets
As mentioned earlier, veterinarians cannot prescribe cannabis to pets for treatment under most state federal laws. Even when a vet recommends the drug to your pet, they would be so subtle and careful so that they do not end up in any legal jeopardy. They are most likely to propose it as a piece of educational information rather than a medical advice or drug recommendation to make things easier and safe. However, many petitions regarding the compassionate use of medical marijuana and cannabis in pets are also being pushed in the courts these days.
Never calculate the dosage of CBD for your pets based on human dosages
As a result of the legality, the usage of CBD oils are not approved by the FDA and hence, you cannot calculate the exact dosage of the drug for your pets. Some people, however, tend to give the same dosage as that of small kids to their four-legged companions. Keep in mind that providing the same dose of cannabis to your pet as that of a small kid or an adult would be a recipe for disaster. Most CBD medications tend to contain a small percentage of THC and the overdose of the latter can lead to disastrous consequences in this case.
To tackle the issue, always start with the lowest dosage and work your way up. Make sure to evaluate the behavior of your pet in every stage. It is recommended to stop the treatment if you find any kind of side effects or other related issues in your pets. Some of the red flags that indicate an overdose of CBD in pets include being spacey, irritability, zoned-out behavior, balance problems, diarrhea, over appetite, and vomiting. Furthermore, the dosage tends to vary for different ailments.