Hemp and CBD. Is it safe for pets - cats, dogs or other animals?
Summary:
Is CBD hemp really safe for animals?
CBD and hemp. Good for human and animal health?
Strong opinions against CBD persist
CBD safety for pets and humans
CBD for cats, CBD for dogs. But is hemp CBD really safe for animals?
Just a few years ago, many people would have considered it crazy to even think about giving their pets any hemp-based products. Today, however, many people do this. And some people even surprisingly strongly recommend using CBD (cannabidiol) for dogs, cats, and other animals.
CBD and hemp. Good for human and animal health?
Benefits cited for animal health and better life are essentially the same as those reported by people using CBD oil. This is not surprising, as mammals often share similar responses to drugs and chemicals. This is also the main reason why pharmaceutical companies spend so much money on controversial drug testing on animals. Many claims about CBD's benefits come from owners of older animals, especially older dogs, who may suffer from joint problems, intestinal issues, and common age-related pains. Some people report that CBD can calm their pets during stressful events like fireworks or thunderstorms.
Yet strong opinions against CBD persist
Not all veterinarians support CBD use in animals. The main arguments against using CBD are that exact dosage is unknown and that no serious scientific studies have been conducted. Concerns have also been expressed about potential side interactions between CBD and common domestic animal medications. These are compelling enough reasons for many people to urge caution regarding CBD use in pets. CBD oils are now commonly available online or in health food stores in many countries.
Hemp, CBD, and nutrition
Many argue that calls for caution regarding CBD and animals are an overreaction. After all, CBD is abundant in hemp. Hemp and its products have historically always been used as feed crops for livestock and other animals. Hemp is known for growing easily in poor soil conditions. Hemp is rich in essential nutrients like omega fatty acids. It is also rich in fats, proteins, and is a valuable source of calcium, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus. Plans are already underway in Colorado to use now legal hemp crops in the USA for animal feeding. Experts are exploring various ways to use hemp as animal feed. Raw green leaves can be easily dried and used as feed. Highly nutritious hemp seeds can be ground and used in feed pellets. Most interestingly, there's a proposal to use hemp oil as a dietary supplement. Hemp oil is, of course, rich in CBD. Are recommendations to avoid giving CBD to pets just a case of excessive caution?
Hemp as future fish feed?
Hemp is a rich source of omega fatty acids, which are vital for fish health. Fish usually obtain omega-3 from algae. Using hemp in fish feed provides fish with a direct, rich source of omega-3. Using hemp in fish feed would be beneficial for both home fish keepers and commercial fish farmers. An official request for extensive hemp feed testing for fish has already been submitted. The project is expected to cost up to 10 million dollars. Since the Agricultural Act of 2018, interest in hemp cultivation in the USA and worldwide is at a historical high. Much of this interest is due to the potential of hemp as a fast-growing and highly versatile feed crop that can grow well and quickly even on lower-quality agricultural land. Hemp seeds have been used for years as bird feed and animal bedding (e.g., for horses). The same hemp nutrition could be valuable for people in a world where agricultural land shrinks with each generation.
CBD safety for pets and humans
Given the current trust in the nutritional value of hemp for animals, many believe that the risks of administering CBD to animals/pets are very low. Many believe that concerns about using hemp as feed for animals/pets are largely a legacy of prohibition hysteria and government overreaction. Since the use of hemp products for humans is completely legal in most developed countries, concerns about the safety of hemp for animals are slowly disappearing..