CBD Oils & Pets

an owner giving their cat CBD Oil

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.

CBD oil as used for pets

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.

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Lynbrook Vet IconLynbrook Vet

14A/10-30 Northey Rd, Lynbrook

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  • Johanna Hendricks’s Avatar Johanna Hendricks ★★★★★ in the last week
    Dr Justin Alway is an absolutely amazing vet who did everything he could to help our beautiful bunny mummy. Sadly, despite all his efforts, she didn't make it.The care, compassion and support we received from Dr Alway and the wonderful … More team at Berwick/Lynbrook Vets were beyond anything I have ever experienced.Dr Alway took the time to explain everything to us, made sure we understood what was happening and was incredibly supportive throughout the entire process. What touched us most was that his care didn't stop when we left the clinic. His genuine concern and aftercare were something we never expected but are so incredibly grateful for.We feel very fortunate to have found him when we needed help the most. He is not just an excellent vet but someone who truly cares about the animals and the families who love them.While we are still grieving the loss of our beautiful bunny mummy, we are so grateful for everything Dr Alway and his team did to try to save her.Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, compassion and support. We have certainly found a vet we can trust, knowing that his care goes well beyond the clinic doors.We couldn't recommend him and his team highly enough.
  • Local’s Avatar Local ★★★★★ 4 weeks ago
    It is honestly difficult to put into words just how genuinely beautiful Dr Daphne and the entire team are, both in heart and in mind.We have had difficulty finding a veterinary clinic that feels calm, polite, warm, welcoming, genuinely … More caring and knowledgeable, but from the moment we arrived, this practice felt completely different. There was such a lovely, peaceful atmosphere, and we never felt rushed, dismissed or treated like just another appointment.The team were incredibly well organised, very reasonably priced and, most importantly, they actively listened to us and took the time to understand the individual needs of our fur kids.With our relocation to Queensland, we needed both of our dogs assessed and given their tick prevention injections, which we had struggled to find another veterinary clinic in South East Melbourne offering. Dr Daphne and the team took the time to explain everything properly and make sure we understood what was needed to protect them once we move. Paralysis ticks are not just a concern in Queensland and New South Wales, and we were also made aware of the importance of prevention as their range continues to extend further south. It was wonderful to find a practice that offers the long-term tick injection, especially for pups who do not take particularly well to tablets.We also received fantastic advice about the possible risks associated with sporting club activities and the preventative measures we can take to help protect them from injury, as well as thoughtful guidance regarding their individual dietary requirements. We had previously fed our kids full Lyka meals but stopped purely because of the cost. A new understanding of the benefits of their meals helped us make an informed decision to reintroduce Lyka and use a half-Lyka, half-current-food approach so we can manage the cost while still giving them those nutritional and probiotic benefits.Our fur kids were also assessed for their fit-to-fly certificates. This was something we had been quite anxious about, particularly given that one of our kids was born deaf and knowing that the relocation and flights are going to be a stressful few days for them. The information, reassurance and practical advice we received gave us a much better understanding of what we can do before and after their flights to minimise their anxiety and support them through the whole experience.What impressed us most was the genuine care behind everything they did. Nothing felt transactional. They listened, explained, reassured and treated our fur kids as individuals.It is incredibly comforting to meet veterinary professionals who clearly have such beautiful hearts and who genuinely care about both the animals they treat and the people who love them.We are so grateful to Dr Daphne and the entire team and cannot recommend this practice highly enough.
  • induwara tharuneth’s Avatar induwara tharuneth ★★★★★ 4 weeks ago
    I’m really grateful for the care Joey received from the team. Everyone was so kind, caring, and patient, and they took the time to explain everything clearly and guide me through each step. It made a stressful situation feel so much easier.A … More special mention to Dr Angus he’s an absolute legend. He was professional, caring, and genuinely took the time to make sure Joey was looked after properly and that I understood everything. You can really see how much he cares about the animals he treats.I genuinely felt that Joey was in the best hands, and I couldn’t be happier with the care and service we received. I would wholeheartedly recommend this vet to anyone who wants their pet treated with genuine care, compassion, and respect. I wouldn’t hesitate to bring Joey back here again.
  • Amy Z’s Avatar Amy Z ★★★★★ 23 hours ago
    Thank you to the team at Lynbrook Vet for all the hard work you do! Within the span of just two weeks, two of my cats have needed to go to the vet for separate issues and it's been a really lovely, reassuring experience both times. … More A big thank you to Dr Naoise, Dr Justin and the nurses who were all so patient and kind with handling my anxious kitties. I can't stress just how helpful and informative everyone was, and how they took the time to thoroughly explain results and answer questions. I'm a really anxious pet owner, but it's been so reassuring knowing how professional and knowledgeable the staff are.Very grateful that this is my local vet! Thank you so much again.
  • patricia noor’s Avatar patricia noor ★★★★★ 2 months ago
    Best vet...Took such good care of our sweet girl..Thank you.
  • Lakmal Liyanage’s Avatar Lakmal Liyanage ★★★★★ 3 months ago

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