As more and more people become aware of the potential benefits of CBD products for humans, and with the recent legalization in certain states, pet owners are now considering using cannabinoid products for their furry friends more than ever. Overall, both pet owners and veterinarians have a positive perception of CBD use, although some veterinarians may feel less informed about balancing a knowledge of the potential therapeutic and toxic effects of such products. For instance, not all brands are labelled well, whereas others are unavailable in certain markets. Usually, testing is done to ensure product integrity, but not everyone is aware of this, not to mention even some CBD sellers and outlets.
Kogan conducted a study to assess how international consumers perceive the use of hemp products for their pets. They utilized an anonymous online survey on a commercial website that specializes in hemp products for animals. A total of 632 responses were received, which provided insights into the types of hemp products pet owners purchased, the reasons behind their purchases, and the perceived value of these products for their pets’ health.
The findings revealed that 58.8% of respondents were currently using hemp products for their dogs, primarily for medical and behavioral conditions diagnosed by their veterinarians. CBD was the most commonly used product to address seizures, cancer, anxiety, and arthritis. In contrast, only 11.93% of respondents administered hemp products to their cats.
Overall, the survey results indicated that consumers had mostly positive perceptions regarding the therapeutic benefits of hemp products for both dogs and cats. The most commonly reported benefits included pain relief, improved sleep, reduced anxiety, and decreased inflammation. Sedation (approximately 20%) and increased appetite (approximately 16%) were the most common side effects reported for both dogs and cats. The main reasons for discontinuing hemp products were ineffectiveness and cost.
It’s clear that consumers support the safe use of CBD, and it seems that most if not all pet owners are using CBD in a responsible manner. This is good to know, and furthers the conclusion that CBD will become a larger component of pet care in the future. We’ll discuss this more in the next post with findings from additional surveys.