If you are on this page, it is because you have probably already heard about CBD (or cannabidiol) and its benefits on humans and pets. But if you are here, it is because you still doubt…

Despite the many positive experiences of other pet owners, one question still burns on your lips: “Do veterinarians really approve of CBD?”

Let’s not keep you in suspense, the answer is:

Yes , more and more veterinarians are approving CBD as a natural and gentle solution for dogs and cats.

Moreover, many animal health professionals recommend it as part of their practice.

This is the case, for example, of certain holistic veterinarians, or those who favor alternative medicines, such as herbal medicine, aromatherapy, acupuncture, etc., but not only that.

Many veterinarians with “traditional” methods have a positive opinion on CBD and its benefits on animal welfare.

Today we’re going to explain why so many veterinarians are endorsing CBD products and even selling them in their clinics.

 

Before Veterinarians’ Advice, Understanding CBD for Animals

CBD is a hemp extract , with many benefits for human and animal well-being. To learn more, check out the short presentation video below.

 

Why has the subject of CBD in veterinary medicine been taboo for a long time?

It’s true that at first, veterinarians were a little reserved when it came to giving their opinion on CBD for pets.

Remember that research into the benefits of CBD for animals and other hemp/cannabis compounds only really began a few years ago.

Unfortunately, as scientists began to discover the enormous potential of this molecule, the laws governing the sale of CBD and its use seemed to become increasingly stricter across the world.

For a long time, strict laws prevented veterinarians from talking about cannabis, and more specifically cannabidiol, as a natural solution for pets.

It was then impossible for them to recommend or prescribe it, even if they practiced in a region where medicinal cannabis had been legalized, such as in certain states in the USA.

The laws on the legality of CBD have thus taken a long time to be clarified, and even today, many people in France, and more widely in Europe, still doubt that it is an authorized substance .

Combined, these two reasons have long prevented veterinarians from talking about CBD, and even less from prescribing and recommending it as an alternative to certain aggressive medications .

Fortunately, mentalities are changing rapidly, as are laws, as is research.

Indeed, since the laws on CBD are gradually becoming clearer in all countries of the world, more and more foreign and French veterinarians are starting to talk about (and even recommend) hemp-based pet products.

Some veterinarians have even started selling CBD products in their clinics , such as oils , balms , and calming treats .

Botaneo , for example, now has a large network of retailers and local veterinarians selling their products throughout France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland.

 

Can veterinarians openly recommend CBD products for animals?

Since CBD, extracted from hemp, is legal in the United States, Canada, and many other parts of the world, many veterinarians are beginning to openly offer their opinions and recommend it as an alternative or support to so-called traditional medications.

Some veterinarians are now even speaking out in the media about CBD and its benefits for animals.

Dr. Gary Richter , a veterinarian in Oakland, California, for example, does not hesitate to speak out on the subject of CBD for pets.

In the blog of Holistic Veterinary Care , his veterinary clinic, he writes in particular; “ It is no secret that cannabis has a wide variety of medical benefits .

What may come as a surprise is that the use of cannabis in animals is nothing new.

Cannabis has been used in veterinary medicine for almost as long as humans have to treat common health problems.

Thousands of years ago, the ancient Greeks used cannabis to treat horses for colic (a common digestive disorder), inflammation, and even to heal war wounds!”

Similarly, Dr. Mahaney explains in a Spectrum News1 video that “ recent studies have shown that CBD may be effective in reducing seizures and improving comfort in animals with osteoarthritis .

He also adds that “ some owners give CBD to their animals to relieve symptoms of cancer or side effects of chemotherapy, or in cases of behavioral or anxiety problems .”

In March 2018, CannCentral magazine also featured an interview with Dr. Katherine Kramer , a veterinarian from British Columbia, who gave her opinion on CBD, stating that she “can no longer practice without it . ”

Dr. Kramer does indeed openly use CBD as part of her approach, particularly to treat health issues such as arthritis and inflammation, pain, anxiety , epilepsy/seizures, and even cancer.

She also reassures pet owners that CBD is safe and effective : “ Over the last five years, I’ve had many, many more happy stories than toxicities or issues with CBD. At this point, I can’t imagine practicing without it.”

These are just a few examples of veterinarians openly recommending and touting CBD as a safe and effective solution.

 

French veterinarians’ opinions on CBD for animals

In addition to veterinarians who have spoken publicly on the issue of CBD for animals, others simply prescribe it in their clinics. France included.

Because France is no exception to this underlying trend and this general craze for CBD, as a natural well-being ally for dogs and cats.

Indeed, while the Court of Justice of the European Union has just published a ruling explaining “that a Member State cannot prohibit the marketing of cannabidiol (CBD) legally produced in another Member State when it is extracted from the cannabis sativa plant in its entirety and not only from its fibers and seeds”, more and more French animal health professionals are speaking out on the subject of CBD for dogs and cats , and even recommending it in their practices.

Hélène Gateau, veterinary doctor , presenter and radio TV columnist, recently presented CBD in Michel Cimes’ magazine, Dr Good :

“ According to veterinarians, some animals are receptive ! But scientific studies are not yet sufficient to make it a miracle drug. So we can try without forgetting the other solutions that exist in phytotherapy.

The advantage is that CBD products are safe and, fortunately, there is no addiction .

Thierry Bedossa , a veterinary doctor, wrote in an article in the Dépêche Vétérinaire dated April 17, 2021:

“ A new class of pharmaceutical products with a promising future , both in human and veterinary medicine, products based on cannabidiol or CBD, one of the 750 active compounds of the Cannabis sativa plant, are the subject of a growing number of studies, aimed at specifying their safety and efficacy in various pathological situations.

Among them, the behavioral sphere turns out to be a particularly suitable field of application .

He further elaborates; “ The interest of CBD in the fight against canine epilepsy has been specifically studied and one experiment in particular has shown a significant reduction in the frequency of seizures in dogs .

In veterinary medicine, positive feedback is also reported for various conditions or situations, including cases of anxiety, sleep disorders, hyperactivity, aggressiveness, senile disorders or confusional syndrome in dogs and cats .

 

Why are veterinarians increasingly recommending CBD for dogs and cats?

We have seen it. More and more research validates the therapeutic potential of CBD.

Why? Thanks to the system responsible for managing the effects of CBD; the endocannabinoid system .

Research shows that this system is involved in managing a multitude of bodily processes and contributes to your pet’s homeostasis (balance), whether in terms of appetite, mood or metabolism.

Since this system is vast, so are the positive effects of CBD.

Among the diseases, health problems and behavioral disorders that CBD can help with:

• Joint Pain & Inflammation
• Stress , Separation Anxiety & Phobias ( storms , fireworks , veterinary consultation , etc.)
• Nausea & Vomiting
• Sleeping troubles
• Agitation & Aggression
• Appetite
• Epilepsy
• Cancer

For more articles on how CBD can help calm and relieve our pets, feel free to check out the dedicated section of our blog .

 

Where can I buy CBD for dogs or CBD for cats?

While CBD is approved and recommended by many veterinarians, brand choice remains essential.

There are indeed a multitude of different brands and products to choose from, but only one has won the hearts of animal professionals: Botaneo, the most popular and appreciated brand in the veterinary community.