Is THC Harmful for Dogs?
You’ve probably heard all the hype about THC and oil-infused THC, and are probably contemplating on using it on your beloved dog. Stop right there! Learn about THC first before proceeding.
Fact is, THC can lead to significant side effects when used in pets! However, this isn’t saying you cannot use cannabis safely on your pooch. This post will enlighten you on the substance impact on your furry pal, and why using non-psychoactive CBD products is the best option for your pet.
Pot for Pets: How Safe Is THC for Dogs?
Short for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, THC is generally seen as cannabis’ primary psychoactive compound. A cannabis plant typically contains about 400 various active compounds.
The problem is majority of the cannabis strains intended to produce marijuana are modified genetically to possess THC concentrations that are extremely high. Some even contain as much as 30%
When consuming cannabis, the plant’s THC activates the endocannabinoid system in your body. The THC fits into the cannabinoid receptors distributed across your body and brain.
When this happens, you experience a powerful, psychedelic euphoria commonly known as a “high.” In short, you get “stoned.”
Just like their human parents, dogs and cats can also experience this. Although some people would enjoy experiencing a high, it may trigger a number of frightening symptoms in your pets.
What Are the Health Benefits of THC, if Any?
Definitely, THC comes with numerous health benefits. To name a few:
- Pain Relief – Numerous research prove the potent analgesic effects of THC. According to studies, THC can provide relief for both neuropathic and nociceptive pain. It is also effective, in particular, for chronic pain caused by fibromyalgia, arthritis, and other similar conditions.
- Neuroprotection – Studies dispel the common belief that cannabinoids like THC are harmful to the brain cells. In fact, the opposite is true. Cannabinoids stimulate neurogenesis in specific areas of the brain, and thus help in the treatment of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s, among many other neurodegenerative diseases.
- Appetite Stimulation – You may be surprised, but THC is actually quite effective in improving appetite and metabolism. This makes THC an ideal supplement for those experiencing various eating disorders, and those who lose their appetite because of some medical treatments and conditions.
- Antiemetic Effect – THC can effectively relieve vomiting and nausea. This is what makes the substance popular among AIDS and cancer patients who suffer from chronic nausea, loss of appetite, and vomiting because of their treatments. For instance, THC isolates such as Marinol, have been used as early as the 1980s.
What Are the THC Effects on Dogs?
Because of the above-mentioned THC benefits, you might be convinced that it is the right supplement for your dog. But, it is recommended not to give it to your pooch!
Cats and dogs have a high sensitivity to THC. The can experience what vets refer to as “marijuana poisoning.”
Sadly, a lot of marijuana poisoning cases take place when the pets get their paws on their human’s stash of cannabis. The curious pet then consumes a lot of THC. The result? The poor animal experiences loads of nasty symptoms. These include
- Staggering
- Twitching
- Difficulty in walking
- Drooling
- Tens muscles
- Back and forth rocking in one spot
- Eyes wide open
Collectively, these symptoms are called ataxia. Try watching a YouTube video of a pooch that has just ingested cannabis, and you will understand that these effects can be quite frightening!
Worse, animals metabolize cannabis at a slower pace compared to humans. They can experience the THC effects for as long as 24 hours, even longer in some cases, depending on the amount of cannabis consumed.
THC intoxication in pets comes with a lot of other symptoms, including:
- Vomiting
- High or low heart rate
- Glassy eyes and dilated pupils
- Lethargy
- Incontinence or loss of bladder control
- Crying and whining
In the more severe cases, THC can trigger tremors and seizures, or induce a coma. Not a lot of data about why pooches are quite THC-sensitive is available. But, experts agree that the dog’s weight and size are factors.
Are Products Containing CBD and THC Safe for Pets
Next to THC, Cannabidiol or CBD is the second highest-concentrated cannabis cannabinoid. It is present in hemp at particularly high concentrations. Hemp is a cannabis variety that has low THC content (often below 0.3%. It also has numerous industrial applications.
CBD, just like THC, offers a wide array of health benefits. But, not like THC, CBD doesn’t come with the psychoactive euphoria commonly associated with marijuana.
Chances are, you know some cannabis products that contain both CBD and THC. You may be wondering if these can be used for your furry friends. Again, although these products can be safe and beneficial for people, they aren’t recommended for use with pets.
Instead, you can use CBD products with high hemp extract concentration. These products provide many health benefits, and can help your beloved pets cope with various symptoms and conditions. The best part is, CBD comes with minimal and safe side effects, unlike THC.
The only side effects your dog may possibly experience are diarrhea and lethargy. However, these are very rare. Likewise, CBD products that are hemp-based are perfectly legal to use in many places around the world. In contrast cannabis-made products are heavily regulated.
Under the US federal law, for instance, cannabis-made products are illegal – even if some states allow them.
THC for pet use is not totally a no-no, however. “Microdosing” is gaining in popularity among pet owners. It involves giving controlled, small doses of THC can produce benefits without giving the pet a high.
So, what does this mean exactly? The thinking is, like people, pooches may also benefit from THC if, they are given controlled doses carefully. But, this requires a more research to confirm that pets, indeed, can safely use THC.
What CBD Products Can You Give to Your Dog?
You have gone this far into this post because you are seriously considering using cannabis for your pet’s condition. If this is the case, then you can use CBD products like treats, oils, and capsules.
The top product this post recommends is HolistaPet. The brand has a line of CBD products for cats and dogs. The entire line is made using full-spectrum hemp extract that has all the beneficial hemp compounds like CBD.
Most importantly, HolistaPet offers bundles that come at highly discounted rates. Visit our homepage for more information.