CBD Oil for Pets

UK Owners Need to Know

Head to the vet and you might be met with positive noises about administering CBD oil at home to help counteract the discomfort of many common problems with your cat or dog, from arthritic joints to aggression and anxiety. But ask for a prescription, or even a confident

 recommendation for CBD oil for your pet, and you’ll hit a brick wall. This isn’t because research regarding CBD oil for dogs and CBD oil for cats is in short supply, it’s simply because CBD oil is not yet approved for animal use by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate or Food Standards Agency.

Although you may not be able to get CBD oil from your vet, many people do use CBD oil for their pets at home, and hemp seed oil treats, too (but that’s something else entirely. We’ll explain the difference below). There’s some incredible anecdotal evidence that would suggest this is a great idea, but be careful! Using the wrong type of CBD oil could be harmful, or even potentially lethal, for some animals.  See here for further information about our formulations.

CBD for pets: Is CBD safe for dogs?

There is research to suggest that CBD oil isn’t only safe for dogs, but potentially beneficial. However, many CBD oils contain extra ingredients such as flavourings and essential oils, which can be extremely hazardous to animals. As you can’t buy a CBD oil specifically for dogs in the UK, you need to be very cautious that anything you do choose to give to your pet is only CBD extract in hemp seed oil, MCT oil or olive oil with nothing else added.

All animals have an endocannabinoid system, just like humans, and this helps to balance all bodily processes

Is CBD safe for cats?

The same applies to cats – although unregulated for animals in the UK many studies have shown that, when given correctly and without added ingredients, CBD oil is safe for cats. 

Should I give CBD oil to my pet?

All animals have an endocannabinoid system, just like humans, and this helps to balance all bodily processes. CBD oil acts in much the same way in a cat or dog as it does for a human –  it inhibits the enzyme that breaks down endocannabinoids (naturally produced neurotransmitters in the body), resulting in higher levels of endocannabinoids in the bloodstream. For some, this can simply have a relaxing effect (endocannabinoids, also known as ‘bliss molecules’ are also released in abundance during meditation, yoga, exercise and orgasm!). For others this can make all the difference when managing an imbalance caused by an endocannabinoid deficiency that might be resulting in illness, pain, inflammation, fatigue and any other number of ailments, as the endocannabinoids activate endocannabinoid receptors to restore equilibrium where needed. 

Some people like to give their pet a drop or two every day, just like we might take, as a general wellness supplement. But some studies have given reason to believe that CBD oil might offer more potential that just keeping things ticking along.

Is CBD good for dogs with arthritis?

One of the most common reasons pet owners use CBD oil for their dogs is to support comfort with arthritis and this is one area in particular that stands out in canine studies. In one study, osteoarthritic dogs given a daily dose of just 2mg CBD per kg (dog weight) for four weeks experience increased comfort and activity. Another echoed this, finding low dose CBD to be effective in reducing pain and joint inflammation in dogs with arthritis. 

Hemp seed oil, which Unspun CBD oil used as a carrier, has also been shown to provide some relief in different ways.

Dogs given CBD chews prior to a stressful event showed an enormous 83% decrease in anxiety.

Does CBD help dog anxiety?

A Cornell study found that dogs who were given CBD chews prior to a stressful event showed an enormous 83% decrease in anxiety, suggesting that CBD oil could be very helpful for dog anxiety. However, research is ongoing to confirm this. Another study by the Australian animal therapeutics company, CannPal, found that 65% of dogs given CBD in the four-week trial experienced a 50% decrease in itching and chewing, which as well as a dermatological issue can also be triggered by anxiety.

Hemp seed oil for dogs

The whole hemp plant has so much to give, but it’s important to realise that CBD oil and hemp seed oil are quite different products, which act through different mechanisms and provide different benefits. 

As you might guess, hemp seed oil is a product derived from hemp seeds. CBD oil, on the other hand, is derived from the leaves, stems and (in some countries) flowers of the hemp plant, which contain cannabinoids. Hemp seeds do not contain cannabinoids (which means, hemp seed oil does not contain any CBD). 

Hemp seed oil is amazing in its own right, even though it doesn’t interact with the endocannabinoid system, as it contains all 21 amino acids, all B vitamins, the perfect ratio of omega 3 and omega 6, and is one of the most bioavailable sources of magnesium available. 

Hemp seed oil is safe for dogs, so choosing a CBD oil that uses hemp seed oil as carrier is ideal.

How much CBD oil should I give my pet?

As CBD oil is not approved for use in animals by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, it’s not possible to give official guidance on the best dose for you cat or dog. However, it is possible to figure out what might work best by going with the doses used safely in studies. 

Th study on osteoarthritic dogs administered the following dose of CBD:

• 1 drop of CBD oil/2 kg of weight (i.e. 5 drops of oil were administered to a dog that weighed 10 kg, 10 drops to a dog that weighed 20 kg and so on).

• The percentage of body fat was also calculated for each dog and in case of obesity, dogs were given an extra 20% of drops. 

Whether or not you choose to give your pet CBD oil is entirely up to you. Hopefully, in the future, vets will be allowed to prescribe and advise but for now you’re going to have to do your own research and come to your own conclusions. Just remember – only ever give your pet a CBD oil that contains nothing but cannabinoids and a safe carrier oil, like hemp seed oil.