Dogs Accidentally Dosed on the Rise
New Research Study Using US Stats Sees Rise in Dogs Accidentally Dosed with Cannabis – LPC
Researchers from the University of Guelph found that dogs accidentally dosed with cannabis is on the rise in the US – and believe the same is happening in Canada.
“Dogs are not very discriminating in what they eat,” said lead author Mohammad Howard-Azzeh. “(They) are known to snatch food from kitchen counters and bedside tables as well as eat things off the floor or ground.”
Dogs are sensitive to the THC in cannabis. Although rarely fatal, it does put the pet under tremendous stress. That’s why cannabis safety applies to pets, too.
The researchers believe that there is a direct connection between the increasing popularity of cannabis and the rising number of dogs accidentally dosed. The fact that cannabis is becoming legalized in more US states likely plays a factor. The theory is that pet owners are more likely to bring their pet to a vet.
“There was an association between a reduction in penalties for cannabis use and possession and dogs being poisoned with cannabinoids,” said Howard-Azzeh.
US Stats on Dogs Accidentally Dosed Applies in Canada, Too – LPC
Researchers said that although they only studied stats from the US, the number of dogs accidentally dosed is likely rising here too.
“There is an education message in this, in that just like children, pets can accidentally ingest these products,” said David Pearl, a professor in the Department of Population Medicine.
“A growing number of research efforts are aimed at understanding the effects of less restrictive legislation on human consumption, health, and abuse of cannabis products,” Pearl said. “But little is known about the effects of these factors on dogs.”
Owen Allerton, owner of Highland Cannabis in Kitchener, said that the best way to avoid dogs accidentally dosed is to keep cannabis out of reach. Dogs can chew through the containers and packaging. Allerton suggests keeping all cannabis products “up high, out of the way, and in a sealed container”. This also keeps cannabis out of the hands of children.
However, some cannabis products are safe for dogs. Martha Stewart partnered with Canopy Growth to create a line of CBD drops for pets including dogs. This hemp-derived CBD can treat pain from arthritis and other ailments, just as it does in humans.
The study on dogs accidentally dosed was published PLOS Global Public Health.
Read the Full Story on the CBC News Website
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