Cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychoactive molecule derived from cannabis, is increasingly being touted as an effective treatment in humans for conditions ranging from chronic pain to anxiety to insomnia. As a result, public interest in the use of CBD on pets has also grown, industry analysts report. But whereas research on the effects of CBD in humans has been ongoing for many years, similar research on dogs, cats, and other species is just beginning. Many questions remain regarding safety, efficacy, dosage, and more.
However, that hasn’t stopped eager pet owners from turning to their veterinarians for information and advice regarding the use of CBD. In many cases, the owners have successfully used CBD to treat their own medical conditions, and believe it would be equally beneficial for their animals. This places veterinarians and veterinary nurses in a difficult position because, while the sale and use of CBD are legal in many states, the regulatory landscape for veterinary professionals is unclear and varies from state to state.