Maximum Yield Cannabis USA April/May 2018 | Page 36

heal
“
MANY PET owners are
sold on these treats and list
relief from inflammation and
joint pain along with renewed
energy levels as some of the
benefits their dogs have
realized since consuming
CBD-infused treats.”
Xylitol
Xylitol is essentially harmless to
humans but could be the kiss of death
to your dog or cat. Xylitol is classified
as a sugar alcohol and is a natural
sweetener derived from birch and
other hardwoods. It is used as a sugar
substitute in countless products ranging
from chewing gum to baked goods.
When a dog ingests xylitol, its system is
fooled into believing it has eaten glucose and
begins producing copious amounts of insulin. In
response, the cells begin taking up glucose from the
bloodstream. The sudden drop in blood sugar can
then cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), bringing
about weakness, dizziness, seizures, and even death
in a short time. Ingesting xylitol can also lead to
irreversible liver damage in dogs.
It doesn’t take much xylitol to cause harm. A six-pound
pooch will fall ill from eating just 0.3 grams. That’s less
xylitol than in a stick of gum. Essentially, any amount of
xylitol is harmful to your dog.
Doggy Treats
There are companies providing cannabis-infused dog
treats marketed as “beneficial.” These K9 snacks contain
oil extracted from hemp. Hemp is very low in THC and, as
a result, doesn’t have the psychoactive properties of other
medical marijuana products. Hemp is, however, very rich
in a health-promoting cannabinoid known as cannabidiol
(CBD). Many pet owners are sold on these pet edibles,
listing relief from inflammation and joint pain along with
renewed energy levels as some of the benefits their dogs
have realized since consuming the CBD-infused treats.
However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not
approved any product, edible or otherwise, containing
or derived from botanical marijuana. Therefore, no
standardized dosage has been established by the
industry or any federal regulating body, meaning the
firepower can vary greatly from product to product.
36
grow. heal. learn. enjoy.
This Bud’s for Him?
When it comes to willfully giving your pet marijuana, realize
you are making a decision for them. They have no voice.
Some owners blow marijuana smoke directly into their pet’s
nose as a form of delivery. Considering a dog’s nose has
some 200 million olfactory receptors and is leagues more
sensitive than our own, blowing hot smoke into their nose in
an attempt to get them buzzed could be quite painful to them.
It could even be considered cruel.
Ultimately, it is your decision to make. But before you decide
it might be cool to burn a doobie with Scooby, consider the
unforeseen consequences that may come into play if he does
get high. Along with the symptoms mentioned above, a dog
high on weed could fall down the stairs, change personality,
or go through any number of unexpected results. With so little
research to go on, it’s best at this point not to give your dog any
pot unless ordered by a veterinarian.
Alan Ray has written five books and is a New York Times
bestselling author. Additionally, he is a multi-award-winning
songwriter with awards from BMI and ASCAP. Alan lives in
Tennessee with his wife and two dogs: a South African Boerboel
and a Pomeranian/Wolverine mix.
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