Cannabis for Pets? Recent Studies and What's Comming!

In 2020, the company Companion Sciences, which conducts various studies on the uses and effects of CBD, has completed the study it conducted on the relationship between CBD and glucosamine.

The use of cannabis for animals is an area of ​​growing interest, largely due to the therapeutic benefits seen in humans. During the last year, the consumption and demand for CBD snacks for both humans and pets has increased.

Companion Sciences is an emerging company that is mainly dedicated to researching CBD and its real capacity to enhance the bioavailability (criterion that evaluates the rate and speed of absorption of a substance) of certain substances such as nutrients, nutraceuticals and supplements. Its mission is to make the world of CBD stop being seen as mere assumptions or savagery and begin to be based on validations and scientific evidence obtained from studies, analyzes and trials.

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The study on CBD and Pet Food

This latest study, conducted in conjunction with the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, specifically focuses on the analysis of the tolerability and palatability of CBD in glucosamine-containing formulas. To do this, dogs with osteoarthritis were given a chewy snack with these components and carried out physical, blood and urine examinations.

Study dogs (4-10 years old) were given the chews for a period of 42 days. At the end of the study, it was found that the chewy snack formula had achieved high levels of bioabsorption, including penetration into synovial fluid, the source of joint inflammation.

What is the importance of these developments to the Pet Food industry?

The truth is that, although there is still nothing concrete and no implementation can be carried out, these studies promise to provide new solutions and possibilities to offer to problems and diseases of pets, such as:

Anti-inflammatory endometriosis: Companion Sciences states that it is waiting to patent a CBD formula with condensed tannins (polyflavonoids) with an anti-inflammatory effect caused by various gynecological problems such as canine pyometra.

Anxiety: The company is studying the interactions between CBD and other cannabinoids with Linalool, a main component of lavender and other terpenes to enhance the entourage effect, that is, the way in which the different compounds in cannabis are synergized to produce a variety of actions in the body.

Lavender, as is known, has several benefits for pets: it improves the quality of sleep, the appearance of the skin and relieves pain, among others.

Studies on the clinical efficacy of CBD

Another of the studies and trials conducted on the impact of CBD on pets focuses on dogs with refractory epilepsy. The study on epilepsy and CBD consisted of 16 dogs already diagnosed with refractory epilepsy. Nine randomized dogs formed the group to which the medication was administered (2.5 mg / kg of CBD oil every 12 hours) and 7 were part of the placebo group. For its part, the placebo group received an "oil" without active ingredient for 12 weeks. All dogs continued taking their anti-seizure medications.

The conclusion of the study found that:

• 67% (6/9) of the dogs treated with medication reduced their average monthly seizures by more than 40%, while only 29% (2/7) of the dogs in the placebo group had a reduction of more than 40 % in average monthly seizures.
• Elevations of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were recorded in 67% of the treatment group of dogs and only one dog in the control group.
• AED concentration in the treatment group decreased in 29% (2/7) of the dogs (29%) and increased in 71% (5/7) of the participating dogs.
• In the control group, the phenobarbital level decreased in 60% of the dogs (3/5) and increased in the remaining 40% (2/5).

Now, how feasible is it that CBD can be incorporated into snack or supplement formulas for Pets?

There is no doubt when it comes to affirming that CBD in the Pet World is in a moment of boom and popularity that has accelerated due to the confinements around the world to go through the pandemic caused by COVID-19; However, the same problematic spreads throughout the world: regulatory challenges and obstacles result in the production, marketing and sales of CBD pet products being a struggle with legality (at least for now).

In the United States, for example, three hemp seed products were approved for use in 2018: hulled hemp seed, hemp seed protein powder, and hemp seed oil. However, none of these products contain CBD or THC and, as of yet, the FDA has not approved the use of CBD in any Pet Product.

After its latest study, Companion Sciences plans to launch a clinical trial on the safety and efficacy of its use in dogs with osteoarthritis. The trial will be conducted with various formulas that combine CBD with other nutrients and compounds that have already been shown to enhance healthy joint mobility. Thus, the company will seek to demonstrate how CBD products increase the bioavailability of these beneficial substances for pets with this disease.

With a little downwind, we can begin to think about legislation that allows the commercialization of this new component, and we can include it in the list of formulas for snacks and supplements designed for pets with this particular need.

By: All Pet Food