Cannabinoid products are increasingly finding their way into veterinary care, even as many veterinarians say they lack the training needed to confidently prescribe them.
In a survey of veterinary professionals in Portugal, nearly 72% reported having prescribed or recommended cannabinoid products for animals, yet fewer than one in four considered themselves adequately prepared to do so.
Pain and anxiety emerged as the two most widely recognized potential applications. More than 91% of respondents identified pain management as an area where cannabinoids could be beneficial, while 82.2% pointed to anxiety. Sleep disturbances, appetite loss and spasticity were also frequently identified, suggesting interest in cannabinoid treatments across a range of conditions affecting companion animals.
Of the veterinarians surveyed, 39.3% said they had prescribed products containing plant-derived cannabinoids, while another 32.6% had recommended their use without issuing a formal prescription. The products discussed included formulations containing cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), with oils, capsules and extracts among the reported forms.
The findings come from research published in the Journal of Cannabis Research on October 17. Led by Karla Pinto of the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, the research team surveyed 135 practicing veterinarians between July and November 2024. Most participants, 88.1%, worked with companion animals.
One of the clearest findings was the demand for additional professional education. Although cannabinoid recommendations were relatively common among respondents, just 21.5% believed they possessed adequate knowledge to prescribe these products. Meanwhile, 94.1% expressed interest in additional training, and nearly 89% identified insufficient professional knowledge as a barrier to incorporating cannabinoids into veterinary practice.
Knowledge of the endocannabinoid system appeared to play an important role in prescribing behavior. Veterinarians who reported greater familiarity with the system were significantly more likely to prescribe cannabinoid products, even after researchers accounted for factors such as age and years of professional experience.
The survey also explored potential adverse effects. Among 108 respondents who answered questions about product-related reactions, 21.3% reported observing adverse effects, most commonly diarrhea and ataxia, a condition involving impaired coordination or balance.
Regulatory uncertainty was another recurring issue. Only 17.8% of participants correctly identified Portugal’s National Authority of Medicines and Health Products as the agency responsible for overseeing cannabis-based veterinary medicines. Portugal currently has no authorized veterinary medicinal products containing cannabinoids, despite the availability of various cannabis-derived formulations.
The survey relied on participants recruited through professional networks and social media, meaning the results may not represent all veterinarians in Portugal. It examined veterinary practices and perceptions rather than directly testing the effectiveness of cannabinoid treatments in animals.
Overall, the researchers found considerable interest in cannabinoid-based veterinary treatments, alongside substantial gaps in education and regulatory knowledge. They emphasized the importance of improving professional training and developing clearer guidance as cannabinoids become a more familiar part of veterinary practice.
