Is your pet suffering from pain? Does your fur baby have a chronic condition that won’t go away?
Consider trying CBD oil for pets. This natural remedy is quickly gaining popularity amongst pet owners and holistic veterinarians who are looking for alternative treatment methods.
Before you rush off to buy CBD oil for pets, read this article. It will give you a better idea of what CBD is, how it can help, and how to find a trustworthy product.
What is CBD Oil for Pets?
According to Harvard Health Publishing, “CBD stands for cannabidiol,” and is, “the second most prevalent of the active ingredients of cannabis (marijuana).” CBD is also found in hemp, a plant that is closely related to marijuana.
But CBD isn’t going to give you or your pet a high because it doesn’t have the same mind-altering effects that THC produces.
Instead, CBD’s interactions with the endocannabinoid system promote good health, giving this chemical substance the ability to improve your four-legged friend’s well-being.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), “cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid receptors...which help maintain balance in the body and keep it in a normal healthy state.”
That means you can use CBD oil to control the endocannabinoid system and ultimately benefit your pet’s health.
There are many different health issues that CBD oil can treat or help manage. Some of those issues include:
- Anxiety
- Chronic pain
- Chronic inflammation
- Arthritis
- Digestive disorders
- Nausea
- Cancer symptoms
- Seizures
- Decreased appetite
- Depression
Is CBD Oil Safe for Pets?
The benefits of CBD oil for pets sound great. But is it safe? That’s always a smart question to ask before giving anything new to your faithful friend.
The ASPCA says, “there are many unanswered questions about the effects of marijuana and CBD in pets. But research into these effects is underway.”
The ASPCA is right. We don’t know everything about CBD. Clearly, more research is needed.
However, that doesn’t mean you should scrap this alternative treatment method. As long as you take the proper precautions, feel free to try it. And that applies anytime you give your pet something new.
Although we don’t know all the potential side effects, we do know that CBD’s interactions with the endocannabinoid system can help your pet gain better health.
So, if you are careful your pet can enjoy the benefits of CBD oil while staying safe.
The AKC gives the following recommendations:
- Always give the proper dose. If you need help figuring out how much CBD oil your pet should have, keep reading. We are going to talk about that in just a bit.
- Watch out for side effects, such as dry mouth, low blood pressure, and drowsiness. If you notice any unwanted reactions, consider reducing the current dose or stop giving your pet CBD.
- Start slowly, giving your pet a small dose. Make sure no negative reactions occur before gradually increasing the dose. Follow this pattern until your pet is taking the full dose.
- Look for a high-quality CBD oil. You definitely want to find a brand you can trust!
- Seek advice from your veterinarian. Although veterinarians are prohibited from prescribing CBD oil, they are allowed to discuss this alternative treatment if you bring it up first
How to Give CBD Oil to Pets
It’s safe to give your pet 1-2 doses of CBD oil per day. The exact amount your pet takes will depend on several factors, such as:
- Your pet’s weight.
- The specific health problem your pet is dealing with.
- The strength of the particular CBD oil product.
To help you figure out the correct dose for your pet, we have provided some general guidelines. But keep in mind, your pet’s particular dose is based on his or her unique needs.
You should start your pet off with a low dose. If no signs of improvement are seen and your pet seems to tolerate CBD oil, increase the dose until you notice the positive effects taking place.
The following guidelines will help you find your pet’s low, medium, and high dose:
Low Dose: Divide your pet’s weight by 10 (Ibs ÷ 10) to get the total milligrams for your pet’s low dose.
Medium Dose: Multiply the low dose by two. The formula looks like this: (Ibs ÷ 10) * 2
Large Dose: Multiply the low dose by three. Here’s the formula: (Ibs ÷ 10) * 3
It’s very unlikely for your pet to overdose on CBD. However, you should be on the watch for adverse reactions whenever you start giving your pet CBD oil or increase the dose.
How to Choose the Right CBD Oil Product
CBD products for pets come in various forms. Some examples include:
- CBD oil-infused treats
- Oil tinctures
- Capsules
- Hemp-infused Balms
It’s important to note that CBD products for pets aren’t regulated, which means you will need to be extra careful when choosing a product for your furball.
The product you pick should meet the following standards:
- Organic
- Toxin-free
- Cold Pressed (Avoid buying CBD oil from companies that use dangerous processing methods involving probation, hexane, and butane.)
- Independently tested with a certificate of analysis (COA)
- Less than 0.3% THC
And always read the ingredient label before buying any CBD oil products for pets. If you notice any unfamiliar ingredients, do your research. Look those ingredients up to find out what they are and how they can affect your pet.
In Conclusion
CBD oil for pets seems to be more than just a passing trend. Although much research still needs to be done before we can fully understand how CBD works and what its effects are, this natural treatment method shows great promise.
We advise you to be careful when giving your pet something new like CBD oil, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try it. If you keep a close eye on your pet, stick to the correct dose, and choose a high-quality product from a reliable company, CBD oil shouldn’t cause your pet any trouble.
CBD oil has many great benefits, making it worth a try. Who knows? It could be just what your four-legged pal needs to start feeling better!