CBD use in pets is often influenced by the experiences of their owners with these supplements. In Slovenia, a significant number of pet owners (62%) who had used CBD for themselves also administered it to their pets. Furthermore, when interviewing individuals with cats experiencing behavioral issues, those who had personally used CBD felt more at ease in providing it to their feline companions.
First of all, no matter what peer impressions or market indicators tell us, NEVER use human CBD products for your dog. CBD, or any cannabis/hemp derived products, should never be mutually shared between humans and dogs. It’s perfectly fine to use a human formula for yourself, and a dog formula for the dog. Same goes for other pets. Use the formula specified for that type and breed of species.
A study conducted by Wallace et al. using mixed-methods revealed that the motivations behind using CBD to alleviate chronic pain in both humans and dogs were somewhat similar. A majority of participants believed that hemp products were a viable treatment option for both humans (45%) and dogs (44%). Additionally, a considerable percentage of respondents (50% for humans; 56% for dogs) considered it to be the best option for pain relief.
Nearly half of the participants also expressed a preference for CBD derived from natural sources and favored cannabis over traditional medications for themselves and their dogs. It is worth noting that human subjects consumed more marijuana/cannabis (THC > 0.3%) than what they administered to their dogs (76% versus 26%, respectively).
This discrepancy can be attributed to the known toxicity of THC in canines. However, both groups used a similar proportion of hemp isolate (THC < 0.3%) and hemp broad or full spectrum (THC < 0.3%). The phenomenon of anthropomorphism, where CBD use in humans and pets, is viewed similarly and has been observed in other aspects of pet care as well.
Veterinary professionals have the potential to greatly influence the popularity and sales of CBD products through education and recommendations to their clients. However, the current situation does not reflect this potential. According to a national survey in the US, only 12% of pet owners who had used CBD supplements for their pets reported receiving a recommendation from a veterinarian. It remains a word of mouth or internet sensation. We’ll discuss overall market trends in the next post.