By Luke Sumpter


Humans have a long history with cannabis plants. Over the years, we’ve used the species as a source of food, fibre, medicine, and recreational fun. In the modern era, more people use cannabis than ever before. More lenient legislation in some parts of the world means more households now have a jar of cannabis next to their culinary spices, and many people grow their own plants in spare rooms or outside in gardens.

Naturally, the sheer popularity of cannabis leads to a common question: What about cannabis and dogs or cats? We all know the herb boasts an impressive safety profile, especially when compared to other substances. But does that mean we can liberally dish it out to our furry friends?

Whether you’re looking to ease your dog's firework anxiety or relieve the symptoms of your cat's health condition, here’s what you need to know about weed for dogs and cats.

Cannabis for Dogs, Cats, and Other Pets

We’ve all heard stories of pets getting high, like dogs locating their owner's stash of edibles or cats getting suspiciously chill during particularly intense smoking sessions. While pets and recreational marijuana are a no go, can our household animals benefit from the therapeutic aspects of the plant?

Just like us, our dogs and cats get ill. Some of them develop severe acute illnesses, whereas others experience the typical signs of ageing, from aches and pains to arthritis. Before you consider giving cannabis to your dog or cat to aid their ailments, you need to know exactly how it works in animals.

The Endocannabinoid System in Animals

Cannabis works in a very similar way in pets and their owners. Cannabinoids interact with the receptors of many living creatures in an ultra-specific manner—via the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS plays a regulatory role within mammals and other animals. It works to balance our internal systems and keep us in a state of homeostasis.

The ECS consists of two main receptor sites—CB1 and CB2—as well as enzymes, and our own endocannabinoids. External cannabinoids, such as THC, mimic our own internal cannabinoids on a molecule level, which allows them to bind to these sites and create changes in the body.

Almost all animals have an ECS[1], from horses and parrots to snakes and nematodes. Your dog or cat has an ECS, and so does your goldfish. By administering cannabis to our beloved animals, we cause a temporary shift in their biology. Although this may prove beneficial when it comes to combating certain ailments, it can pose a serious threat to their health in some cases.

Medical Cannabis for Dogs and Cats

Cannabis Toxicity in Dogs, Cats, and Other Pets

We, as humans, are lucky. We have the luxury of being able to enjoy cannabis in a mostly safe manner. If we ever overindulge, we simply feel tired, hungry, and go to sleep. Unfortunately, the same doesn’t apply to our dogs and cats.

Although the research remains scant around the effects of THC in dogs and cats, evidence suggests that they experience toxic effects quicker and after lower doses than humans. In a similar vein that dogs possess a greater number of nerve endings their noses, they also have a much higher concentration of CB1 receptors in their brains.

Most of the time, cannabis consumption in dogs or cats isn’t fatal. The average joint contains around 150mg of THC, enough to possibly induce psychoactive effects when passively inhaled. Make sure though that your medical-grade THC stash is kept out of reach of your cat or dog, as if they were to sample those goodies, the consequences could be much more severe.

Is it Safe to Give CBD to Dogs, Cats, and Other Pets?

Cannabis plants feature a wealth of different phytochemicals, and THC represents one of over 100 cannabinoids. Many of these molecules need to be researched as their effect on dogs and cats remains unknown. However, CBD may present a viable option for your pet’s ailments under the right circumstances.

As CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, many people use it on a daily basis to reduce nervousness, soothe the muscles, and bring about a clear-headed and relaxed state of mind. Although—again—the research remains early and scarce.

  • Cannabis and Dogs: The Effects of CBD in Dogs

There is anecdotal evidence, as well as some research on dogs and marijuana. One early example of research shows promising results. A paper published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science explored the effects of CBD in dogs with osteoarthritis[2], age-related degeneration of joints. The results showed significant decreases in pain during the treatment. Interestingly, the researchers observed no side effects.

Another study performed at Colorado State University looked at the effect of CBD in epileptic dogs[3]. The initial findings showed that a massive 89% of dogs who received cannabidiol treatment in the clinical trial experienced a reduction in seizures.

Cannabis and Dogs: The Effects of CBD in Dogs

  • Cannabis and Cats: The Effects of CBD in Cats

Clinical trials regarding the effects of CBD in cats are practically non-existent. Currently, we can only rely on anecdotal accounts and preliminary evidence when it comes to giving CBD to our feline companions. So far, these reports suggest that CBD might help to:

  • Reduce aggression
  • Increase appetite
  • Decrease anxiety and stress

CBD Treats for Dogs and Cats

As CBD continues to boom in popularity, many product lines for pets are becoming available. Although some people simply give CBD oil to their animals, different types of treats also exist, so owners are sure to find a product that their dog or cat will love. There are cookies, biscuits, bites, even tablets and capsules, and they deliver accurate doses of cannabidiol.

CBD treats come in a variety of flavours, from standard bacon and cheese to those more unusual, like sweet potato, pumpkin or peanut butter. Browse online pet shops or pop into your local specialised pet shop to pick up some yummy delicacies for your cat or dog.

In terms of dosage, it’s generally recommended to start with 1mg of CBD per 10lbs of body weight for dogs and cats, with 3mg per 10lbs being the maximum. Current products contain safe cannabidiol levels for cats and dogs and they are available in a variety of concentrations per treat, depending on your pet's weight.

The cannabinoid works to soothe cats and dogs and may make them a little more relaxed and chilled out, or it may help with symptoms of their ailments.

Topicals

Several companies have also developed topical products for pets. These oils, balms and creams are designed to target the endocannabinoid system within the skin and alleviate symptoms of irritating skin conditions. They also contain other soothing ingredients, such as eucalyptus oil, shea butter, beeswax or grapeseed oil to name a few, which work together with CBD and exert their calming effects on your pet's skin.

Dogs and cats can experience a range of dermatological conditions, from rashes caused by food allergies to flea reactions and forms of eczema. CBD topicals help to reduce dryness, itchiness and soothe cracked noses and paws, caring for your furry friend's skin and consequently, their overall well-being.

The fact that medical marijuana is legal in some places, doesn’t mean that you can legally give it to your furry friend. CBD, on the other hand, continues to gain momentum as a viable option for dogs and cats. Many countries of the world have legalised this non-psychoactive cannabinoid in recent years. In these areas, pet owners can legally give CBD products to their dogs and cats.

What Is the Future of Medical Marijuana for Dogs, Cats, and Other Pets?

The use of medicinal marijuana for dogs and cats needs more research. Humans can legally use medical marihuana in many places of the world, and recreational cannabis is legal in some, for example Canada or parts of the US. This sparks interest, and naturally both pet owners and veterinarians start considering if weed can help treats dogs and cats as well. This will surely result in increased research on dogs and marijuana and development and introduction of new products.

Should You Give Cannabis to Your Dog or Cat?

Yes and no. We advise steering clear of giving your pet THC due to the potential for a toxic reaction. However, CBD might serve as a viable option for helping your dog or cat deal with a particular ailment. After speaking to your vet about the possibility, explore the ever-growing range of CBD products for pets to see which can be most beneficial.

External Resources:
  1. The Endocannabinoid System of Animals https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs https://www.frontiersin.org
  3. Preliminary data from CBD clinical trials ‘promising’ https://cvmbs.source.colostate.edu
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: