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The topic of whether medical marijuana is safe for pets is one
that requires a lot of research, regulation, and science based
education. The status of marijuana for people itself is in flux.
The effects of marijuana on your pets vary greatly from pet to
pet. Just like in people, dogs and cats also have different
reactions to marijuana. Here are a few commonly asked questions
regarding marijuana and pets.
Are Pets Capable Of Getting High?
Simply put, yes, it is possible. Pets can get high from three
different ways. These are:
- Secondhand smoke โ when you smoke, it isnโt just you, it
affects but the people or in this case, animals around you.
- Ingesting marijuana buds or leaves โ animals are usually
curious creatures and theyโll usually want a taste of that
curious looking, pungent smelling, plant you have lying around.
- Ingesting food that has marijuana in it โ animals can get
high from cookies, butter and other food that youโve laced with
weed.
What Happens To Your Pet After He Eats Weed?
The obvious answer to this question is, he gets high. Itโs not
toxic in any way so it doesnโt poison your pet. Although a little
weed here and there is practically harmless, too much weed
ingestion can be fatal.Here are some of the effects that weed
could have on dogs when consumed at moderate to high volumes:
- Lethargy
- Low blood pressure
- Heart rhythm abnormalities
- Loss of balance
- Breathing problems
- Urinary incontinence
How Safe Is Marijuana For Dogs?
There have been some documented cases where dogs have had longer
lifespans because of marijuana usage. There has been very little
if any research into the study of marijuana for dogs. So the
answer to whether marijuana is good, safe, or bad for dogs still
remains unclear.
Is It Poisonous?
As with humans, it effects different animals in different ways.
The risk of your dog getting poisoned by weed is moderate to
severe. Too much marijuana at a time can even be fatal. Here are
some symptoms your dog might have if he ate some marijuana by
mistake. If your dog is displaying more than one of these
symptoms, call your vet immediately.
- Walking drunkenly
- Depression
- Coma
- Lethargy
- Low blood pressure and heart rate
- Respiratory depression
- Coma
- Dilated pupils
- Vocalization
- Hyperactivity
- Seizures
How Safe Is Medical Marijuana?
In some cases, medical marijuana and certain oils laced with
marijuana have been known to decrease nausea, help with
arthritis, and provide relief for cancer. Although some stores
sell treats laced with marijuana for dogs, the safety of these
treats are yet to be determined. Different animals react
differently so research into this field is also going to be a
tricky one.
How safe is medical marijuana for your pet?
Only over the past decade has the public opinion โand hence
legislationโ regarding the medical use of Marijuana shifted to
align with the medical opinion: that of doctors and experts. But
usage of medical marijuana for diseased and suffering pets is
still a controversial debate across the globe. Formal research is
limited on the subject, and vets are not authorized to prescribe
cannabis for pets even if their inclinations to help our furry
friends are scientifically sound.Cannabis, in theory, can help
relieve various ailments that pets can suffer from โ anxiety,
stress, seizures, arthritis, gastrointestinal conditions, or even
cancers. But since size is not the only adjustment to be made,
the dosage, the ratio of components, the side-effects, and the
overall curative impact of cannabis for pets are all complex
questions that need careful consideration.
The Science
The compounds present in Cannabis affect the ECS (Endocannabinoid
System), a group of receptors in the nervous system that help
regulate pain and stress within the body. While no conclusive
research has been published on cats and dogs, the impact of
cannabis on various ailments in humans has been tested and proved
beyond scientific doubt.Pets suffer most of these ailments, too,
and the key to using Cannabis in their treatment is in the
selection of dosage, most vets and experts say. The two main
components of Cannabis are THC, which gets its users high, and
CBD, which has milder effects. The ratio of these components, and
their concentration in a product, is vital to know, in order to
administer it safely for pets.
The Laws
Vets in most countries are not allowed to prescribe medical
marijuana for pets, irrespective of the disease. Laws regarding
the medical usage of cannabis are unclear in some regions, and
even suggesting it informally to pet-owners could cause trouble
for vets.Until conclusive studies are published explaining the
medical benefits and safety of using Cannabis for pets, most vets
who believe in the cause are restricted to research, and to
educating pet-owners and legislators about it.
The Treatment
While they believe that calculated doses of the right product,
can help cure or at least relieve the suffering of our loved
little animals, these vets also caution about dreadful
side-effects and consequences of accidental misuse or overuse of
Cannabis.Start with a tiny dosage of the rightly chosen product
for your animal, they suggest, and never without consulting a
well-informed vet who understands the animal. As you increase the
dosage when required, monitor your petโs activity for
side-effects, which may include being zoned out, vomiting, or
even diarrhea.Switch to hemp-based cannabinoids, which are low in
THC and easily available, if you see signs of over-consumption.
Hemp-oils in pet-food are perhaps the easiest way to give your
pets the advised dosage, and get them both healthy and cheerful
again.
