Why CBD Can Help Pets
As a pet owner, you make sure that your fur babies are well cared for at all times. However, pet care is more than just buying top-tier food and showering them with affection. You also have to make sure that your dog or cat is happy and healthy.
Fortunately, there is a new way to keep your furry friend in good shape. CBD oil has quickly become the go-to treatment for many ailments, from insomnia to joint pain. However, while most people know that CBD works well on humans, it turns out that many of the benefits extend to pets.
Although there hasn’t been much research on CBD’s effects on animals, early results look promising. So, if your pet has one or more of the conditions listed below, you may want to see if CBD can help.
What is CBD?
The acronym stands for cannabidiol, which is a compound derived from the cannabis plant. There are two primary cannabinoids in cannabis, with the second being tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC. While THC can get you (or your pet) high, CBD doesn’t have any psychoactive effects.
To ensure that CBD oil remains THC-free, the product is often derived from hemp. Unlike marijuana, hemp contains very little psychoactive cannabinoids. In the U.S., for cannabis to be legally declared hemp, it has to have less than 0.3 percent THC.
Thanks to recent legislation making cannabis legal in most states, more research is being done on how CBD oil can affect the body. Again, many of these studies focus on humans and not pets, but since CBD doesn’t seem to have any significant side effects, it’s safe for most species.
How Does CBD Work?
All mammal brains have what’s called an endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system helps regulate a variety of bodily functions, including sleep, pain receptors and immunity. The body produces cannabinoids naturally to keep the ECS working well, but not all bodies produce enough.
Fortunately, the components of CBD oil can mix well with the ECS to help fill in any gaps or abnormalities. Also, because CBD is natural, it doesn’t create any toxic side effects. Currently, there are no known cases of overdosing or harmful reactions in either humans or pets. However, as more research is conducted on the interaction between CBD and animals, that may change.
In addition to regulating brain chemicals, CBD oil is a potent anti-inflammatory. Inflammation can cause a wide array of physical problems, from joint pain to headaches. In many cases, CBD is far more potent than other anti-inflammatories such as fish and omega-3 oils.
What to Know Before Giving Your Pet CBD Oil
So far, there has been quite a lot of anecdotal evidence to suggest that CBD can have many of the same effects on pets as it does on humans. Also, since CBD isn’t restricted by the government, pet owners can buy it freely without worry.
That being said, you want to be careful about administering any kind of treatment to your pet, just in case there are any complications. Here are some top recommendations on how to give your dog or cat CBD.
Opt for Chewables
At CBD Unlimited, we’ve developed the first dog-friendly chewable tablet. Our product is designed to taste great so that it’s easier to give to your pet. Concentrated CBD oil can have an unpleasant flavor, which can make it challenging to give to animals. Fortunately, dogs love our Phyto-Bites.
For cats, it can sometimes be better to put a little CBD oil on their paws. Then, the cat will lick the oil off when cleaning itself. Most cats don’t like the taste of CBD in any form, but they don’t seem to mind as much when licking it off themselves.
Start Small
Although overdosing doesn’t seem to be a problem, you still want to be careful when administering any kind of medication. One issue for dogs is that they can come in many shapes and sizes. So, the potency of CBD should be adjusted accordingly. We recommend starting your pet on a small dose and increasing the amount over time. This way, you can watch for any adverse reactions and taper down the dosage if necessary.
Consult Your Vet
Now that CBD is becoming readily available across the country, vets are coming around to the idea of using it for treatment. While hard data is still scarce, your pet’s veterinarian will understand more about how CBD can interact with its body. Some vets will recommend CBD for various ailments, while others may not. Regardless, it’s a good idea to get a professional opinion before starting a treatment plan.
The Top Benefits of CBD for Pets
As a pet owner, it can be heartbreaking to see your fur baby in pain. Fortunately, CBD can alleviate many health problems, including the ones listed below. If you’ve tried other treatments before or want to avoid anything with harsh side effects, CBD may be the solution.
Stomach Health
If you’re familiar with marijuana usage, you may have heard that smokers will get the “munchies” after getting high. This side effect happens because of the CBD in cannabis, not the THC.
It turns out that cannabidiol has a double benefit when talking about stomach health. First, it will stimulate appetite, and then it will reduce nausea. If your dog or cat gets sick regularly, a dose of CBD can help curb vomiting or diarrhea.
Even better, early evidence indicates that the benefit exists when toxins or chemicals are the source of nausea. For example, if you have to give your pet medication that can lead to appetite loss, a CBD dose can mitigate that side effect.
Appetite stimulation can also help with older pets who may not be eating enough. If your dog or cat is underweight, CBD might be the answer.
Reduced Anxiety
The world can be a scary place for dogs and cats, particularly those who go outside regularly. Common anxiety triggers can include fireworks, thunderstorms, unexpected visitors and other animals.
Some pets can have worse anxiety than others, which can lead to a variety of side effects, such as nervous peeing, shaking and diarrhea. Fortunately, CBD seems to alleviate these symptoms and help make your pet much calmer.
The reason CBD works well for anxiety is because of how it interacts with the brain. One job of the endocannabinoid system is to regulate natural brain chemicals, including serotonin. Serotonin is what allows us to fall asleep, and a lack of it can lead to anxiety and panic attacks. Since CBD can stimulate serotonin production, it creates a calming effect.
Also, this chemical can affect appetite and digestion, which is why CBD aids in stomach health.
Pain Relief
One of the more potent effects of CBD is that it acts as an anti-inflammatory. Since pain is often caused by inflammation, cannabidiol can relieve many sources of pain. For example, older pets may suffer from arthritis, which limits their mobility. After a CBD dose, the joints and tendons become less inflamed, leading to lower pain and a more active lifestyle.
Reduce Seizures and Epilepsy
Currently, a lot of research is being conducted on CBD and its effect on people with epilepsy. The FDA recently approved a CBD-based medication for use on patients as young as four. Epilepsy occurs when brain functions become abnormal, which can trigger seizures. These abnormalities can be caused by chemical imbalances or brain trauma.
Since CBD helps regulate the ECS, it can reduce the chances of getting a seizure. Best of all, if a pet is currently experiencing a seizure, CBD can provide quick relief. Even if your dog or cat doesn’t have epilepsy, CBD can reduce other spasms and tics.
Potential Side Effects of CBD
Until more research is done on CBD and animals, most of these side effects are anecdotal. However, be sure to watch out for them when administering CBD treatments to your pet. While none of them are particularly harmful, they can lead to discomfort.
Dry Mouth – One common result of CBD is lower saliva production. This usually happens in dogs, which means that a tablet could make your pet thirsty. Be sure to refill your dog’s water dish before giving a treatment.
Drowsiness – Some pets are naturally sleepier than others, with most cats sleeping up to 20 hours per day. In those cases, CBD may not have a noticeable effect on your pet’s habits. However, if your dog or cat is usually more active, a dose of CBD may cause drowsiness. This is a result of the anti-anxiety properties of the compound.
Low Blood Pressure – Fortunately, if your pet’s blood pressure does drop, it’s likely a mild inconvenience. Usually, this side effect manifests as light-headedness. Your dog or cat may appear woozy for a little while, but it shouldn’t last too long.
Buy Phyto-Bites Today
At CBD Unlimited, we’re proud to offer one of the best-quality CBD treatments for dogs. We have two varieties – one for smaller dogs and one for large breeds. They go to work fast and can help your pet in many different situations. For example, during Fourth of July celebrations, one Phyto-Bite can have a profound effect on your dog’s anxiety. Visit our website to find out more and to order yours today.
