CBD Oils for Pets
CBD Oil is growing in popularity for pet treatment across Australia. We’re often asked about its efficacy and safety for use on pets. So, we asked our experienced vets for their opinions and recommendations around CBD Oil use for your pets.
CBD oil is becoming more popular for use on pets and can be used to treat a variety of conditions.
What is CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is a phytocannabinoid compound produced by the cannabis plant.
Unlike other components of the cannabis plant, such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD oil is non-psychoactive, meaning that it does not cause euphoria or hallucinations in pets.
CBD oil is also known for its low toxicity profile, meaning that it is incredibly safe for your pet, and it has non-addictive properties.
What are the benefits of CBD oil for my pet?
CBD acts upon various receptors in the body to help reduce inflammation, pain, anxiety, and nausea. It contains an antioxidant with anti-seizure properties.
CBD oil is currently used in veterinary medicine to treat and manage many conditions, such as:
- Chronic pain
- Osteoarthritis (see our posts on arthritis in dogs, and arthritis in cats)
- Epilepsy/Seizure disorders
- Anxiety
- Skin conditions – can reduce degranulation of mast cells and histamine release (CB2 receptors on mast cells)
- Inflammatory disorders e.g. Feline idiopathic cystitis
- Palliative care/cancer patients.
- Poor appetite
- Cognitive dysfunction/canine dementia
How does CBD oil for pets work?
CBD works via the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) as well as multiple other metabolic pathways and receptors, which explains its broad applications and wide variety of therapeutic effects.
The ECS is a complex regulatory system within the body that is essential for critical bodily functions and maintaining biological balance or homeostasis (bringing the body back to baseline).
It was first discovered in the 1990s, and this system is found within humans, animals, and plants. It is characterised as the “relax, eat, sleep, forget and protect” system.
The ECS releases endocannabinoids in the body in response to stress, injury, or disease. Once released, endocannabinoids then bind to receptors to help regular cell signalling within tissues and organs to bring the body back to its normal status or balanced state (homeostasis). Therefore, cannabinoids such as CBD oil act on these same receptors to provide the same physiological benefits as endocannabinoids.
Do Vets in Australia Recommend CBD Oil For Pets?
Although CBD oil is not intended as a first-line treatment option, it can be used in pets that are no longer responding to traditional treatment options and/or registered products.
CBD oil is also commonly used to help pets that are in palliation or have terminal diseases to ease discomfort and pain during end-of-life planning and decision-making.
Is CBD Oil Legal To Use on Pets in Australia?
Yes, it is. But we’d recommend speaking to your vet and obtaining the CBD oil directly from them.
Is CBD Oil Legal To Purchase in Australia?
In Australia, veterinarians can now legally prescribe CBD oil products via reputable suppliers such as CBD Vets Australia and PetCann.
Can I use a Human CBD Oil For My Pet?
No, our vets strongly advise against this.
Pet CBD oils are formulated in pet-friendly potencies, are free from harmful ingredients, and are often flavoured specifically to help pet administration.
How do I access CBD Oil for My Pet?
In Australia, CBD oil is only available via prescription from a licensed veterinarian. Veterinarians can legally prescribe cannabidiol medicines for animals under the Schedule 4 classification system.
To satisfy schedule 4 formulations for pets, CBD oil products must contain at least 98% CBD and less than 2% of other derived cannabinoid products.
Veterinarians can only prescribe imported CBD products.
Can I source CBD oil products myself online for my pet?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. A prescription is required from a veterinarian to obtain CBD oil.
It is currently illegal for pet owners to source CBD oil products themselves online. Purchasing CBD oil products online without a valid prescription can have legal ramifications and be unsafe for your pet if you receive inappropriate formulations.
There is no guarantee that these products are safe or effective due to the unknown blend and concentration of certain unsafe cannabinoids such as THC. There is also a risk of these products having contaminants such as pesticides, antimicrobials, and heavy metals. Incorrect dosing of these products could also lead to adverse side effects and toxicity for your pet.
Where are the best, most trusted places to buy CBD Oil for Pets in Melbourne?
We provide CBD oils for pets at our clinic here in Lynbrook. Make an appointment/ Come visit us for any advice and information you need on using CBD oils for your pet.
What Do I Need To Do If I Want To Try CBD Oil For My Pet?
The best thing to do is give our clinic a call to discuss whether CBD oil is the right option for your pet.
We recommend first having a consultation with our veterinarians to discuss your concerns and to determine if CBD oil is a suitable choice or whether there are already other treatment options available that may help them.
Once it has been determined that CBD oil may benefit your pet, we recommend taking a baseline blood test to check that your pet is healthy to start this medication and for ongoing monitoring purposes. We will then organise a prescription for the specific CBD oil formulation recommended for your pet, which will be delivered to the clinic for you to collect. Follow-up appointments will be required to ensure your pet is not developing any side effects and to adjust the dose as required.
If you have further questions about the use of CBD oil on your pet, get in touch with our team who are happy to help. Book an appointment here. Call our team here. etc.
