As I was minding my own business this morning with a coffee in one hand whilst the other was poised over my laptop as I scrolled through my inbox, I was met with a sales email for a Cannabidiol (CBD) hemp-based tincture especially designed for my dog…. that I don’t currently have.

I read on as the email went into some depth to explain how fireworks or trips to the vets can be a major cause of unnecessary stress and anxiety for pets, all of which easily dispelled by a few drops of the good stuff (their words not mine!).

You only have take a stroll into a local Boots store or even the supermarket to find all sorts of products from food capsules, beard oils or face balms with CBD contained within. I am quietly confident that the consumption of CBD in various products will continue to rise…

Interesting I thought and maybe not completely surprising that such products are now available for our pets when they have been so very popular amongst us humans over the last few years. However, I would exercise a word of caution here, just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean it is legal. Likewise the internet is awash with on-line retailers inferring that CBD products marketed and manufactured for humans are suitable for tiddles the cat and spot the dog. Some of the inferences are subtle and would potentially mislead even the most discerning consumer..

Cleverly marketed as vegan, sugar free, gluten free and free from pesticides, even kosher, on paper what is there not like especially when the Kardashians are treating their cute pooches with the stuff on a daily basis.

Having worked very closely with several client in this space, I am tapped into some of the detail here with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate in the UK producing a clear statement back in 2018 concluding that veterinary products containing CBD are veterinary medicines and should be regulated as such needing a marketing authorisation to be sold or supplied.  Therefore, the message is clear; only a veterinary professional may prescribe a legally obtained human CBD product with it being an offence to administer a CBD product without a veterinary prescription..

So, I would suggest that a visit to the vets is the best way forward in the first instance who can carry out a thorough examination and prescribe the best way forward from there.

Alternatively, you could always grab a copy of Barbara Woodhouse’s book entitled ‘Walkies ‘to become more aware and well-tuned into your pooches behavioural issues!

To pick up a more general conversation around CBD products (cosmetics, novel foods) whether it concern the marketing or labelling of such products, DM me…