Cannabidiol (CBD) products are becoming increasingly popular among humans and animals. With the use of CBD on the rise, pet parents and veterinarians alike are asking whether it might be a viable alternative for a range of pet health problems. Early research is promising, but working with a veterinarian who is aware of CBD treatments if you want to give them a go for your dog is advised. If you’d like to buy the best CBD for Your Pet, use cannabis delivery to your home.
Now that you’ve discovered the advantages and disadvantages of CBD for dogs, it’s time to learn about current CBD study, if it is safe to utilize in dogs, and whether it could be the best option for your pet.
What is CBD?
The primary active components in marijuana are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the ingredient that makes people feel high when they smoke marijuana. CBD, on the other hand, does not produce a “high” and appears to have several health advantages.
Although CBD products are only legal in a handful of states, people all over the United States may buy them both in stores and online.
However, the FDA has yet to determine if CBD is safe as a food additive, dietary supplement, or treatment in pets. Although one FDA-approved human medication includes CBD, no CBD-based pet medications have been authorized by the agency.
What kind of research has been done on the effects of CBD in pets?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of information on CBD use in pets. Currently, veterinarians’ professional experiences are followed or taken from very small research studies.
The steady rise in popularity and use of CBD in pets has resulted in an increasing number and size of these studies, both for veterinarians and pet parents, giving them more information on how to best utilize these goods.
Is CBD safe for pets?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t recognized any prescription or over-the-counter cannabidiol (CBD) products for use in animals, so the items on the market may not have been tested for safety or efficacy. And some businesses may make unverified medical claims about their goods without being reviewed or approved, either.
There are also issues with the quality of CBD products. The product may contain a different quantity of CBD than advertised, or it might be tainted with THC or pesticides. So, if you want to utilize CBD on your pet, you’ll have to do some extra investigating to discover how the product you’re choosing is produced.
Look on the brand’s website or contact the firm to ask for their Certificate of Analysis (COA). This public document verifies that the substances mentioned on the label are actually in the product. If a firm is unable to provide you with the most up-to-date COA, it is not a good idea to buy from them.
What are the risks of treating my pet with CBD?
The side effects of CBD usage in pets are comparable to those seen in humans. The most prevalent problems include decreased appetite, tiredness, and diarrhea. Typically, the more CBD you give your pet, the more likely they are to experience negative effects.
In most situations, these adverse reactions don’t require treatment. They are generally quite minor or improve with time. If these symptoms do not improve or get worse, you should see your pet’s veterinarian and keep a close eye on your pet to ensure that they don’t harm themselves.
Can CBD cause my pet to get high?
CBD does not produce a “high” or euphoric sensation. Some people, on the other hand, have reported that when they consume CBD, their dogs seem a bit unbalanced. If your pet appears to be “high” after taking CBD, there’s a good reason for it.
When choosing between CBD products, keep in mind that the label may contain important information about their contents. If the product is said to be “full spectrum,” it means it might contain up to 0.3 percent THC — the legal limit established by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. This tiny amount might be enough to induce this adverse reaction in your pet, especially if they are highly sensitive to it.
What forms of CBD are available for pets?
If your veterinarian recommends CBD for your pet, there are several CBD pet products to choose from, including oils, sweets, topical treatments (lotions, gels, creams), and more. It’s frequently given orally or sublingually. When you first start giving CBD to your dog, bottled oils with droppers may be preferable since it is easier to drip small quantities rather than having a set dose in a tablet, capsule, or treat.
Are human CBD products safe for pets, or do I need CBD products specifically intended for pets?
Products meant for humans have the same CBD that would be found in products designed for pets. So, human CBD might be OK to give to your pet, but you’ll want to follow any recommendations from your vet. If the product is not made specifically for pets, it is important to read the label to double-check for ingredients that could be toxic to pets like chocolate, certain essential oils, and artificial sweeteners.
Besides being made without these harmful ingredients, pet-specific oral CBD products are usually also flavored with your furry friend in mind — chicken and fish chews, for instance. Be aware that some CBD products have a grassy taste that can make it more difficult to give to your pet. If you find your dog or cat turning their nose up at the product you’ve chosen, try disguising it in a spoonful of peanut butter or your pet’s treat of choice.
What CBD dosage should be used for pets?
Since there aren’t any FDA-approved products for use in animals, and we don’t have many studies looking at safety and efficacy, further research is needed to determine more exact doses. If your veterinarian recommends CBD, make sure to follow their instructions since dosing may vary depending on why you are using the product.
One study looked at the efficacy of CBD oil in helping to alleviate symptoms of osteoarthritis in dogs. Researchers found that 2 mg per kilogram of body weight given twice a day reduced pain without owners reporting any side effects.
However, blood test results suggested that there may have been some damage to the liver. This is why it’s important that your vet is involved in making sure that your pet is being monitored appropriately.
As with humans who have never taken CBD before, it is important to start your pet on a low dose and raise it slowly.
For example, you can start with one-quarter or one-half of the dose on the label to see how your pet reacts to a small amount of CBD. If your pet does not experience symptom relief, your vet may have you give another dose of the same amount in 30 to 60 minutes and continue to see how they respond.
Because there isn’t much research available on using CBD in animals, we don’t know the safest maximum dose. It is best to discuss what dose is safe with a veterinarian who has experience using CBD to help your pet’s condition.
What pet health problems might CBD help manage?
CBD has shown benefit for animals in a range of conditions including, but not limited to, inflammatory problems, seizures, pain relief, and anxiety. Using CBD for pet health problems is based on the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The goal of the ECS is to achieve and maintain balance of all processes in the body. This is thought to be the reason CBD may have so many potential benefits.
Keep in mind that every pet’s ECS functions a little bit differently, so CBD may work better for some than others.
Pain
Once absorbed by an animal’s body, CBD may play a role in lowering inflammation and relieving pain. While experts are still learning exactly how CBD may relieve pain, it’s believed to affect the ECS and other nerves that are involved in creating pain sensations. More specifically, studies have shown that reducing joint inflammation relieves osteoarthritis aches and pains in pets.
Anxiety
Much like humans, many pets experience anxiety, leading to several troublesome behaviors like urinating inappropriately. CBD is thought to ease nervousness and provide feelings of calm. Experts believe this is because CBD may activate some of the same areas of the brain as serotonin — the hormone that helps us feel happy and relaxed.
Seizures
CBD has been shown to help with epilepsy in dogs by lowering the frequency of seizures when used in combination with traditional antiseizure medications. Although experts don’t fully understand how CBD treats seizures, it is thought to prevent nerves in the brain from firing too much and lower the number of electrolytes believed to have a role in seizure conditions.
A prescription CBD medication called Epidiolex was FDA-approved for two severe seizure conditions called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome in humans in 2018. It is also approved for the treatment of seizures associated with tuberculosis sclerosis complex. However, studies have not been conducted for its use in animals, so it is not recommended to use it in pets.
How can I tell if CBD is helping my pet?
Because our pets cannot tell us whether they are feeling better, the most reliable way to tell if CBD is working is to watch them and their behaviors. After giving a dose of CBD, keep a close eye on your pet to see if their symptoms seem to be improving or not. Depending on the condition your pet has, symptom relief may happen in as soon as 30 minutes or take up to a few weeks of consistent use.
As discussed before, CBD impacts every animal differently. If your vet recommends that you give it a try, you may go through several brands, doses, or forms to find what works for your four-legged companion. But even though finding the right product requires patience, it is worth it to see your pet be their best, happiest self.
The bottom line
Emerging research suggests that CBD may help with several pet health conditions, including anxiety, chronic pain, and seizures. Although we need more studies to confirm its benefits, many pet parents already use CBD with great results.
Because these products haven’t been reviewed or approved by the FDA, you should discuss using CBD with a veterinarian who has experience treating pets with CBD before starting anything new. Together, you’ll come up with a plan on how to safely help your furry friend feel the best they can.