Why marijuana shouldn’t be used to treat your pet’s anxiety

Is that why Snoop Dogg is always so mellow?

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Only in California would cannabis and canines be seen as a viable pairing.

Various marijuana dispensaries across the state are selling cannabis products which are formulated specifically for pets.

From cannabis cookies to tinctures and oils, when it comes to fixing your four-legged friend’s ailments, there are options everywhere.

The formulations are marketed to pets in the same way that they’re peddled to humans.

According to testimonials, the pet-specific products are designed to relieve anxiety, nausea and pain.

One website selling cannabis capsules claims that by consuming the drug, your pet will “improve their quality of life.”

However, there is a significant lack of research into the effect that cannabis has on animals, so it’s no surprise that vets are strongly advising against freely distributing it to your canine and feline friends.

“There is no research that shows any benefit,” Ken Pawlowski told the LA Times.

“We’re not saying that there aren’t any, [only] there is no research out there that demonstrates the benefits or, more importantly, what appropriate doses of what compounds might be indicated,” the Californian vet explained.

He added that dogs may be more susceptible to toxins than humans due to the large number of receptors in their bodies and therefore could feel the effects of cannabis more strongly than us.

Despite the drug being legalised in various US states for human consumption by prescription, the law doesn’t apply to veterinary medicine and therefore it goes against federal law for vets to prescribe cannabis as treatment to animals.

The effects (and potential benefits) of the drug on animals remain unclear. However, there are concerns surrounding the compounds contained in forms of marijuana which could be highly toxic to cats and dogs.

“A study done in Colorado showed something like a fourfold increase in incidences of toxicity in pets once marijuana was legalised … and there are compounded issues of chocolate toxicity on top of the marijuana toxicity if it [involves] brownies, or xylitol [toxicity] in the case of some sugarless lollipops,” Pawlowski explained.