These days there’s a CBD product for everything. There’s CBD edibles, CBD oils, CBD-infused skincare products, and even CBD dog treats!
You’ve likely heard all about the therapeutic potential of hemp-derived CBD for humans, and might have considered using the cannabinoid to help out your furry friend as well. Before giving your pet a dropper of your own CBD tincture, here are some facts you should know.
What Pet Ailments do People Treat With CBD?
People use CBD to help their pets deal with a whole slew of various issues. Some pet parents give their animals CBD for anxiety to help them through thunderstorms or celebratory occasions like The Fourth of July where fireworks often make an appearance. This can come in handy for pets who have separation anxiety, or fear of the vet.
Our dogs age much faster than we do, and all that running can have a big impact on their muscles and joints – especially larger dogs. Some research finds that cannabidiol can be helping in alleviating chronic pain in your pooch without any nasty side effects.
Another study suggests that using CBD for cat seizures may help our feline friends with conditions like epilepsy, and drastically improve the quality of their life.
It’s become so popular, that even mainstream companies are taking notice as evidenced by this Petco CBD oil.
How Does CBD Work In Pets?
CBD is an acronym of cannabidiol, which is a type of compound known as a cannabinoid.
Nearly every mammal on the planet has what’s known as an endocannabinoid system, or ECS for short. The ECS plays a vital role in ensuring homeostasis in an organism by playing a role in regulating all sorts of functions such as memory appetite and sleep. It does this by sending messages across the system through neurotransmitters called endocannabinoids.
When we, or our pets, consume external cannabinoids like CBD or THC, they interact with our ECS much in the same way endocannabinoids do and help regulate our bodily functions.
What Kinds of CBD Pet Products are Available?
A quick google search will turn up all kinds of results for CBD pet treats, CBD oil for dogs, CBD oil for cats, and other pet-specific CBD formulations.
Which of the options will be better for your pet will heavily depend on your pet’s unique needs. For example, if your dog is already on medication that is metabolized through the liver, and CBD oil formulated for canines can be a great option that will help maximize the cannabinoid’s efficiency. One of the key benefits of CBD oil is that it’s absorbed sublingually, and doesn’t have to be processed through the digestive system.
If you have a finicky cat who doesn’t like to hold still for a tincture dropper, disguising the CBD in a delicious treat may be your best bet.
When looking for a suitable CBD oil, make sure to avoid anything labeled hemp oil or hempseed oil. Hemp seeds don’t actually contain CBD, and many unscrupulous manufacturers will try to pass these products off as genuine CBD oil.
Can I Give My Pet Human CBD?
Can I give my Dog CBD designed for humans? What about CBD designed for cats?
The short answer is: yes. Basically, there’s no chemical difference between the CBD for dogs, CBD for cats, and the CBD for humans - as long as it is just CBD alone. However, it is recommended that you stick to the formula designed for your specific animal as it will make dosing much simpler. This is especially important if you are a novice with cannabinoid oils yourself.
How Much CBD Should I Give My Dog?
The appropriate CBD dosage for dogs will heavily depend on the breed and size of your particular dog. Things like your pup’s pain levels and unique temperament will also play a role in determining the correct dose. Giving your dog too much CBD is unlikely to cause any lasting harm to your animal, but it may make them uncomfortable and should be avoided. For that reason, it’s always best to start low and titrate up slowly as needed. A good starting dog CBD dosage is 1 mg per 10 pounds of the dog’s total weight.
How Much CBD Should I Give My Cat?
Like dogs, appropriate doses will vary from cat to cat and it’s always best to start low and work your way up. Follow the same formula of 1 mg per every 10 pounds to begin with, and work up if your cat requires more.
Many vets now recommend CBD for their four-legged patients. Since your vet likely already is familiar with your animal asking for their recommended vet CBD dosage can be a great idea as well.
