What veterinarians think about CBD products for pets 

Giving your pet CBD used to be something that only the most experimental of cannabis users would ever consider. After all, why would your pet want any CBD products? How could they make use of it?

However, thanks to many different studies in recent decades, there has been a meteoric rise in the number of people giving their pets CBD.

But what do the professionals think? What do veterinarians have to say about CBD products for pets?

Do CBD products for pets work? 

One of the most common reasons vets don’t recommend CBD is that there isn’t enough data. We know that CBD affects pets and all other mammals just as it affects humans. This is because all mammals possess an endocannabinoid system, the bodily system with which all cannabinoids interact.

However, it isn’t just a matter of assuming that CBD works on pets like it does humans because we share an endocannabinoid system; the science backs it up as well. Innumerable studies, such as this one by Gamble et al. for the Journal of Frontiers in Veterinary Science, have found that CBD is an effective treatment option for osteoarthritic dogs. 

Helping to treat arthritis and other inflammatory conditions is one of the principal uses of CBD oil in humans, so it only makes sense that we use it in the same way for dogs.

But if CBD works on our pets, in the same way it does on ourselves, why is it that your vet isn’t prescribing it? Why won’t your vet recommend CBD oil? 

Why won’t your local veterinarian recommend CBD oil?

For starters, the most obvious reason why your vet doesn’t want to recommend CBD oil is that they don’t understand it.

Despite CBD’s rise to popular appeal in the last decade, there are still plenty of people who have yet to experience CBD or its benefits.

This means that they are still held back by the previously overwhelming negative opinion that most people had about anything to do with cannabis products.

This is the sort of thing that can easily change with time, but another significant reason why vets don’t recommend CBD is that they morally don’t believe they can.

While a vet might wholeheartedly endorse CBD personally (and may even take it themselves), they might still be unwilling to prescribe it to your pets.

The reason for this is the still-nascent industry and lack of scientific understanding of cannabidiol and its effects on our pets. While lots of studies exist to support CBD’s effectiveness with pets, such as this one by Kogan et al., many medical professionals don’t think that there has been enough research yet.

While the average person might consider themselves convinced after a few relevant studies and articles, doctors have to be a lot more rigorous.

A vet cannot, and indeed should not, prescribe anything in a professional capacity that they do not completely understand. This applies to CBD because, while we use it plenty and it clearly does have an effect on pets, we don’t fully understand it yet.

We still haven’t worked out many of the specific mechanisms behind CBD’s effects on our bodies, nor any of the significant long-term effects that it might cause.

So, the next time your vet refuses to prescribe CBD for your pet, remember that it might not be because they are ignorant. They merely might not be able to prescribe it because there is still so much research to be done. 

Where to find the best CBD products for pets

Since your vet likely doesn’t want to recommend any specific CBD products for pets, you may need to look elsewhere to find the best CBD for pets.

Many CBD brands sell CBD products for pets, but the trick is finding the right one. You can head to reliable places like WayofLeaf for more information. This site offers professional, doctor-backed information on a variety of health topics.

All in all, you’ll want to go for brands that specialize in accurate lab reports that have been independently verified. Ensure that you are only giving your pet the very best quality you can afford to ensure that they can overcome whatever problem they are dealing with.  

And remember, don’t blame your vet for not recommending CBD products. They likely feel just as conflicted as you do, so give them time. With more research, studies, and completed trials, professional medical opinions on CBD products might change for the better really soon. 

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