The History of CBD for Pets: From Ancient Roots to Modern Veterinary Science

A complete guide to cannabidiol’s origins and how CBD has been used to support animal health throughout history.

1. What Is CBD? The Basics Explained

CBD (cannabidiol) is one of over 100 naturally occurring compounds called cannabinoids found in the Cannabis sativa plant. Unlike THC, CBD is entirely non-psychoactive — it produces no intoxicating effects and is safe for animals when properly formulated and dosed.

For pets, CBD is derived from industrial hemp — a cannabis variety containing less than 0.3% THC. CBD works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a biological regulatory network present in all mammals — dogs, cats, and horses included — that governs pain, mood, immune response, and sleep.

2. Ancient History of Cannabis (2700 BC – 1800s)

The Cannabis sativa plant has been cultivated by human civilizations for at least 5,000 years — and animals have been part of that story from the very beginning.

~ 2700 BC — Emperor Shennong’s Pharmacopeia, China

The ancient Chinese text Shennong Bencao Jing documents cannabis for rheumatism and pain. Working animals — horses, oxen, and camels — were treated alongside humans with cannabis preparations.

~ 2000 BC — Vedic India: Cannabis in Animal Care

Ancient Ayurvedic veterinary medicine described cannabis preparations for livestock, horses, and elephants to support comfort, calm, and recovery from injury.

~ 300 BC – 200 AD — Greece & Rome

Greek physician Dioscorides recorded cannabis in De Materia Medica. Roman texts describe hemp preparations given to horses for digestive discomfort and pain support — among the oldest documented cannabinoid use in animals.

1600s – 1800s — Hemp in America: Cash Crop to Medicine

Hemp was widely cultivated in American colonies. By the late 1800s, cannabis preparations for both humans and animals were sold in pharmacies across America and Europe.

3. The Scientific Discovery of CBD

The transition from folk medicine to pharmaceutical science produced three landmark discoveries that make modern veterinary CBD possible.

1940 — Roger Adams Isolates CBD for the First Time

American chemist Roger Adams at the University of Illinois became the first scientist to successfully isolate cannabidiol from cannabis extract — the birth of modern cannabinoid science.

1946 — First Controlled CBD Animal Studies

Pharmacologist Dr. Walter Loewe administered cannabinoid compounds to laboratory animals. His pivotal finding: while THC produced clear neurological effects in animals, CBD did not — the first scientific proof that CBD is non-psychoactive in animals.

1963 — Dr. Raphael Mechoulam Maps CBD’s Chemical Structure

Israeli chemist Dr. Raphael Mechoulam — the Father of Cannabis Research — fully determined the chemical structure of CBD, then identified THC the following year, making precise pharmaceutical research into cannabinoids possible.

4. The Modern CBD Era & Legalization

A series of legal reforms and high-profile stories transformed CBD from a fringe topic into a mainstream wellness category — with veterinary applications driving much of the public interest.

2013 — Charlotte Figi’s Story Goes Global

Charlotte Figi’s experience with a high-CBD cannabis extract — documented in CNN’s Weed documentary — sparked massive public and scientific interest in CBD and its potential wellness applications for both people and animals.

2018 — The Farm Bill: Hemp CBD Becomes Federally Legal

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 removed hemp from the Controlled Substances List, legalizing hemp-derived CBD products nationwide — directly enabling companies like Peak Therapeutics to develop and market veterinary CBD products.

2018 — FDA Approves Epidiolex: First CBD-Based Drug

The FDA’s approval of Epidiolex validated CBD’s clinical legitimacy and established the scientific framework shaping veterinary CBD research.

2019 – Present — Veterinary CBD Research Accelerates

Cornell University and Colorado State University began publishing peer-reviewed studies on CBD in dogs and cats, examining its role in supporting comfort and overall wellness — with consistently promising outcomes.

5. CBD in Veterinary Medicine: A Full History

Ancient Beginnings

In ancient agricultural societies, cannabis grew alongside domesticated animals. Traditional Chinese veterinary texts from 300 BC describe cannabis preparations for working horses to support comfort and recovery. Ayurvedic practitioners documented similar use for elephants and cattle — observations that align with what modern science has since confirmed.

Which Animals Can Use CBD?

Dogs — The most studied species in veterinary CBD research. Cornell and Colorado State University have published peer-reviewed studies on CBD use in dogs, with no adverse effects observed.

Cats — Require species-specific formulations due to different metabolic profiles. Peak Therapeutics Yellow Label (50mg/ml) is designed specifically for cats and small dogs.

Horses — A growing area of interest in equine wellness. Peak Therapeutics offers equine formulations continuing a tradition of cannabis-based equine care stretching back to ancient Rome.

Small & Exotic Pets — Rabbits, ferrets, and birds also have endocannabinoid systems. Micro-dosage formulations are emerging — veterinary guidance is especially important for small animals.

Landmark Clinical Research

A 2018 Cornell University study found that dogs given CBD oil showed improved comfort scores and increased mobility compared to placebo, with no adverse effects observed. Colorado State University’s veterinary college has since conducted its own clinical trials with similarly encouraging outcomes.

6. How Peak Therapeutics Is Different

Founded by Dr. James Gaynor, a board-certified specialist in veterinary anesthesia and pain management, Peak Therapeutics was built on clinical rigor — not wellness marketing. Dr. Gaynor spent decades supporting animal comfort and wellbeing before channeling that expertise directly into our CBD formulations.

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7. Dr. Gaynor’s Book: Cannabis Therapy in Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Gaynor is not only the founder of Peak Therapeutics — he is also a co-editor of the definitive academic textbook on this subject, published by Springer, one of the world’s most prestigious scientific publishers.

Cannabis Therapy in Veterinary Medicine: A Complete Guide
Editors: Stephen Cital, Katherine Kramer, Liz Hughston, James S. Gaynor
Springer Academic Press — Peer-Reviewed

The gold standard reference for veterinary cannabis medicine — covering cannabinoid pharmacology, clinical applications across species, and dosing protocols. The resource veterinary professionals worldwide rely on for evidence-based guidance.

When our products are developed, they reflect the same rigorous clinical thinking that produced this textbook.

Conclusion

The history of CBD is not a recent wellness trend — it is a 5,000-year story of humans and animals finding support in the same plant. From Emperor Shennong’s ancient pharmacopeia to modern veterinary research, every chapter points to the same truth: cannabinoids and animal biology are deeply, fundamentally connected.

At Peak Therapeutics, that history informs everything we do. Founded by a veterinary pain specialist, built on clinical standards, and driven by genuine commitment to your pet’s wellbeing — your pet deserves the best. And the best has been thousands of years in the making.

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