More Pet Owners Than Ever Looking to Cannabis to Treat Their Pets

Michael Fasman painfully watches his 12 year old dog limp around in pain due to not only arthritis but also an amputated toe. However, Fasman is strongly against giving his furry friend painkillers because, according to him, all they do is make her sleepy or ‘knock her out’.

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Left with few other alternatives, this resident of San Francisco has decided to take matters into his own hands and give his dog something that humans also turn to when they are looking to treat chronic pain, marijuana.

Pet Owners are Choosing Cannabis

It was not that many mornings ago that Fasman began to mix several drops of an extract made from cannabis with some yogurt. The mixture was placed in front of the Portuguese water dog, and she licked the bowl clean within a few seconds. The yogurt-cannabis concoction has become normal in both of their routines.

Fasman truly believes that the alternative pain reliever is making his dog feel better. He has even said that she is beginning to act like her old self. The dog appears to be in much better sprits, and is much happier overall.

As many more states are beginning to make marijuana legal for humans to use, there are just as many pet owners who have started to give their four-legged companions the extract that is made from cannabis. Cannabis edibles and ointments from companies like Canna Companion are also being marketed to pet owners to provide their pets with relief from cancer, anxiety, depression, pain and arthritis.

Regulations, Legalities and Safety

Many of these unregulated products for pets contain CBD, or cannabidiol. This is a chemical that is found naturally in cannabis, but it is not the chemical compound for making humans or animals high. On the other hand, THC, or tetrahydrocannabidiol, the chemical that produces the psychoactive effects, is not present in these products.

However, veterinarians are sounding the alarm by saying that there is not enough data to determine whether or not cannabis is an effective and safe way to medically treat animals. The vets have also made another point, even though the alternative medicine is legal in almost 30 states, under federal law it is still illegal. Because the federal government still views cannabis as a dangerous alternative, there has not been little to no research conducted on the possibility of medical benefits the plant can offer pets and their humans.

The grip the federal government has is strong, and veterinarians have been threatened with losing their licenses if they prescribe cannabis as a treatment. However, this threat has not stopped pet owners from inquiring about it. Unfortunately, the vets do not have factual answers to give them.

Even without any scientific data to back up their claims, many pet owners are convinced that the chemical compound has been instrumental in improving their pets’ health.

Cannabis Supplement Companies are Answering the Call

When pet owners have realized that prescription based pharmaceuticals are no longer helping their animals, they are turning to companies who market and promote these products despite the legal cloud that hangs over the industry.

Sick and older pets are getting a new lease on life by simply taking an alternative medicine that for many have shown potential when everything else has failed.