CBD and dogs
Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD, has become very popular in recent years. Animals also possess an endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is why some owners wonder about CBD for their dogs. But research in animals is still very limited, and no CBD product sold to the public is a veterinary medicine. Here is what we know.
What is CBD?
CBD (Cannabidiol) is a molecule coming from industrial hemp (Cannabis Sativa), it belongs to the family of cannabinoids. CBD has already been the subject of much scientific research, mostly preclinical. When we talk about cannabis, we can't help but think of THC, which is a psychotropic cannabinoid, it makes you high. CBD (cannabidiol) does not have this intoxicating effect, and it is not a narcotic in France. What interests researchers is the way it interacts with the endocannabinoid system. Never give your dog a CBD product without the advice of your veterinarian.
What is the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) contributes to the body's balance (homeostasis). Its first receptor was identified in 1988, and the system was described in the following years. Many physiological processes in our body and in that of our animals (a dog, for example) may involve it. Some researchers describe it, as a shortcut, as a regulatory system involved in many others (circulatory, endocrine, immune, skeletal, digestive, etc.). The ECS uses cannabinoids to transmit certain signals.
Clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CED)
In 2004, the American neurologist Ethan Russo proposed the hypothesis of a "clinical endocannabinoid deficiency", which could play a role in some conditions such as migraine, fibromyalgia or irritable bowel syndrome. This hypothesis is still debated and has not been demonstrated. The phytocannabinoids present in certain plants such as hemp interact with the same system as the endocannabinoids naturally produced by the human body or certain animals such as dogs, but this does not make them a treatment.
CBD in dogs: what is being studied?
Researchers are exploring the possible effects of CBD (cannabidiol) in dogs, for example on arthritis pain, stress or seizures, but the studies are few, small and do not allow any conclusion. CBD is not a veterinary medicine: if your dog suffers from arthritis, stress, aggressiveness, convulsions, skin problems or pain, consult your veterinarian, the only one able to diagnose and treat him. Separation-related stress is covered in our page on dog separation anxiety.
