38% of surveyed Danish dog owners put their dogs on unlicensed cannabinoids

In a new study, 38% of dog owners surveyed in Denmark reported giving their puppies cannabinoids, specifically cannabidiol or CBD. Pernille Holst and colleagues at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, published these findings in an open access journal. pro swan January 31st.

Cannabis is popular for recreational and medical use in humans, and many cannabis-based products are available for pets as well. However, cannabis is not legal for veterinary use in countries such as Denmark, so pet owners are using it without a prescription.

To understand how common unlicensed cannabinoid use in pets is in Denmark, Horst and colleagues distributed an anonymous survey on social media. Dog owners self-reported whether they used cannabinoids on their pets, what type and for what purpose, and whether the pet owner felt any effects of the drug.

Of the 2,002 pet owners who responded to the survey, 752 (38%) reported using at least one cannabinoid product for their pets. Of dog owners who gave their dogs cannabinoids, 93% used his CBD drops or oil and 9% used his CBD ointment or cream. Only 4% of owners reported using products containing THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol).

Pet owners most commonly reported using cannabinoids for their dogs' pain, behavioral issues, and allergies, but also for animal health, cancer, seizures, appetite, and other conditions. Some people have reported using cannabinoids for. Of the respondents, 77% believed they had seen at least “some” positive effect of the medication on their dog.

This study shows that despite the unlicensed status, some dog owners in Denmark do indeed use cannabinoids on their dogs, and that most owners who do use them report that they are suffering from poor mental or physical health in their dogs. It shows that you believe you are making a positive impact. However, the authors note that these findings are not supported by current research investigating behavioral changes in dogs after CBD treatment, and that a placebo effect may exist in owner ratings. . Although this result is self-reported, it highlights the need for more evidence-based research on the use of cannabinoids in pets.

The authors continued, “One of the findings that surprised us was the wide range of medical conditions and behavioral conditions in dogs treated by Danish dog owners who used cannabinoid products, and the extent to which owners perceived the effectiveness of the treatment.'' “This suggests systematic clinical research.” The use of cannabinoids in pet dogs is warranted. ”