CBD For Pets: What It Is And How to Use It?
For a large majority of pet owners, their furballs are as important as a family member. Every year, Americans spend over $136.8 billion on their pet’s welfare. The average annual spending on dogs adds up to $1533 per year. Mind-boggling, right? Well, not really, considering that 66% of American households own a pet. Just like humans, pets are also prone to injuries, diseases, and mood issues.
With the concept of nuclear families, loneliness, and dropping birth rates becoming the norm in advancing times, the number of people willing to spend the rest of their lives with their pets is also increasing drastically.
Pet owners are always in search of natural foods, supplements, and treatments to keep their pets happy and lively. CBD (cannabidiol)-infused treats and oils are becoming quite popular among pet owners because of their natural healing and therapeutic properties.
Studies have shown that CBD works effectively on both humans and pets. That’s why pet lovers are quickly adopting such natural alternatives in their pet’s healthcare routine.
But for new pet owners, this idea of giving a hemp plant-based product might be a bit scary, considering how the studies are still in the preliminary stage. Don’t worry, though; this article will explain everything from what CBD is for pets to how you can use it safely.
What Is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring compound found in Cannabis sativa plants (hemp and marijuana). It belongs to the category of plant compounds known as cannabinoids.
Hemp and marijuana plants have over 100 cannabinoids. CBD and THC are both dominant cannabinoids. Hemp plants have high levels of CBD, whereas marijuana plants have high levels of THC.
Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t have intoxicating properties; that’s why you and your pets will not feel sedated or high after consuming CBD products. All the pet and human products are made using hemp-derived CBD extract, and the THC levels are strictly kept under 0.3%.
In fact, most pet CBD products don’t have even slight traces of THC. CBD is mainly known for its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-anxiety, and sleep-supporting properties.
There are plenty of anecdotes from pet owners across the web who had a positive experience with incorporating CBD treats and oils into their pet’s healthcare routine. CBD oil for small, medium, and large pets can greatly improve their mobility and overall wellness.
How Does CBD Work For Pets?
Both human and pet bodies respond to CBD administration in similar ways. Humans and pets have an endocannabinoid system spread throughout their bodies. The endocannabinoid, or ECS, is a complex cluster of cell signaling networks that are responsible for maintaining a state of balance in organisms by controlling various biological processes.
The endocannabinoid system mainly consists of certain enzymes and receptors that interact with internal and external cannabinoids to maintain balance. The large number of physiological processes controlled by ECS include sleep, immune response, appetite levels, memory, inflammation, metabolism, memory, temperature control, pain levels, emotion processing, anxiety levels, and more.
CBD, when taken through oils, treats, or gummies, gets mixed in our bloodstream and targets the CB1 and CB2 receptors primarily. Instead of directly binding with these receptors (as seen with THC), CBD influences their working in a certain way.
Now we don’t know the CBD’s exact way of working in pets, but since both humans and animals have similar ECS systems, it’s assumed that the working is also similar.
And it’s not just based on assumptions. Studies on canines show that CBD-infused treats or oils help dogs stay calm and less anxious during long trips and when their owner leaves them at home when going out for work.
Other than separation anxiety, CBD for pets also works on their mobility, and seizures, and also provides relief from surgery pain. But more on that later, let’s first take a look at how to give your pets CBD effectively.
Best Ways To Give CBD To Pets
There are plenty of ways to incorporate CBD into your pet’s routine. Cats, for example, are quite moody and peculiar in terms of what they eat. If you have a stubborn feline queen or king at home, then the best way is to mix a few drops of flavorless pet CBD oil in their wet food, or you can also sprinkle some drops in their kibble bowl.
If your pet is docile and doesn’t give you a hard time, then you can drop the CBD oil or tincture directly in their mouth as well. Dogs comply more often than cats; that’s a universal fact.
But of course, exceptions are always there, and some dogs are even more snotty than cats. For such picky pets, you can opt for CBD-infused treats. They are specifically formulated with a meaty texture and flavor, with a precisely measured dosage of CBD, and can be given at any time of the day without any hassle. You can also opt for CBD paw rolls and nose salves, as they can provide localized relief from skin conditions and inflammation.
Benefit Of CBD For Pets
The most common use case of CBD for pets is separation anxiety. CBD helps pets to remain calm and stress-free when their owners go away, and it also helps them sleep better during loud noises.
CBD also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help your pets by providing relief from discomfort after injury and by improving their mobility. In older pets, CBD is effective against joint pain and osteoarthritis-related conditions.
Further, CBD for pets is also effective against epilepsy-induced seizures, which are quite common in older pets, rescued pets, and pets with a history of trauma and abuse. Next, CBD can also improve your pet’s coat texture and keep their skin healthy by keeping it hydrated and nourished. It can also improve digestion and overall cardiovascular function.
Usually, CBD doesn’t show any side effects in pets. As long as you follow the dosage instructions given in the product box, your pet won’t have any issues with it.
The Final Note
To sum it up, just like humans, CBD is equally effective for pets. It works on their endocannabinoid system and provides natural relief from pain, separation anxiety, digestive issues, and more.
Just make sure to give them CBD oils and treats that are specifically formulated for pets. It’s better to keep your pets away from human CBD products, as they have certain flavors and ingredients that may not be suitable for animal consumption.
Pet parents should always buy CBD oil for their furry friends only from reputable brands like Colorado Botanicals. With reputed vendors, there’s assurance of quality and transparency, and it’s in the best interest of your pet’s health.
It’s always recommended to follow the dosage chart given on the website product package; in most cases, CBD dosage is divided according to the animal’s weight and age. That’s all. Keep your pets active, take them for walks, play with them, and use CBD-infused treats to reward them.
