Do you know that many of the active CBD consumers are non-human? Well, you heard that right. Now, even pets can enjoy the benefits of CBD. Studies reveal that CBD can help in treating a variety of medical conditions in pets. If your furry friend gets sick after a long car drive or suffers from an anxiety attack after a thunderstorm, CBD might help them.
If you’re a pet parent looking to give CBD to your pet, you might want to understand everything about CBD and its impact on your pet’s health. Before you leave, you will understand how CBD can benefit your pets and what you should know before giving CBD products to them.
CBD products for pets
Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive chemical substance produced by the Cannabis plant. Around the globe, people buy the best CBD products at CBDfx for a variety of purposes. Starting from pain relief to alleviating symptoms of depression, CBD is effective in helping to treat several medical conditions.
CBD products available in the market have paved a natural and non-intoxicating way for your pets to deal with illnesses. Some famous CBD products for pets include CBD oils and CBD treats.
The real question is, Do they work the same for pets? The answer is yes. Apart from the love, you and your pets share similar endocannabinoid systems. CBD can have impacts on various parts of your pet’s body, including their brain and heart.
Over the years, CBD products have had their share of doubts and questions. But the good news is that CBD products are safe for your pets.
Benefits of using CBD for pets
As a pet lover, it must be hard for you to see your pets suffering. Here, you will see how CBD can benefit your pets. There are a lot of health benefits that your pets can garner by consuming CBD. Some of them are:
1) It helps in relieving pain and inflammation.
The non-intoxicating cannabis compound has anti-inflammatory properties. It boosts the overall immunity of your pet by improving the immune system’s responses. From anecdotal evidence, it is clear that CBD can help in relieving neuropathic pain. It also helps in managing seizures.
2) It helps promote skin health.
Ticks or skin diseases can damage your pet’s skin. bmmagazine suggests proper usage of topical CBD products as they can be quite beneficial in promoting your pet’s skin health. It also helps in improving the coat texture of your pets.
3) It helps in alleviating anxiety.
Just like us, bouts of mental issues like anxiety are common in pets. CBD can help your pets manage several conditions that can have grave impacts on their health otherwise. If not treated, pets might make extreme moves like running away or hurting themselves.
4) It helps promote bone health.
With age, the joint and bone strength of pets deteriorate. CBD can improve bone health. It also helps in appeasing the effects of arthritic pain in pets.
Apart from this, CBD can also help in treating canine osteoarthritis. Researchers say that this medical condition affects over 20% of dogs that cross the age of one. Some of the effects of canine arthritis include bone pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility.
CBD products can also help with gastrointestinal issues in pets.
How does CBD affect your pets?
Pets have two types of cannabinoid receptors. They are CB1 and CB2 receptors, and they bind actively with molecules of CBD. Thus, these receptors play a vital role in regulating the immune and nervous systems of your pets.
The endocannabinoid system has three main constituents. They are endocannabinoids, enzymes, and receptors. During times of stress or injuries, the endocannabinoids bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Reportedly, dogs have more CB1 receptors in the brain. Thus, the elimination of CBD is slower in dogs than in cats. This property demands more doses of CBD in cats than in dogs to maintain blood CBD levels.
How to choose the right product for your pet?
There are many types of CBD products that are available in the market currently. You should choose the right product that will match your pet’s requirements and conditions.
- CBD oils
CBD oils or tinctures contain broad-spectrum or full-spectrum CBD extracts apart from carrier oil. As your pets orally ingest these oils, the rate of absorption of CBD by their bloodstream increases. You can also adjust the doses as per your pet’s requirements.
The main disadvantage of these oils is that pets might not like the taste of CBD extracts. It is advisable to administer CBD oils on the sides rather than on the tongue directly.
- CBD treats
Our paw friends love treats, don’t they? CBD treats and chews have CBD oils infused in them. Your pets will love to have CBD treats as they are tasty and healthy.
- CBD topicals
CBD topicals are an effective way for pets to garner the benefits of CBD. Just like human beings, our pets also have an endocannabinoid system in their skin. Thus, direct exposure to CBD can help in fixing skin issues and aches.
Pills and capsules containing CBD oils are also an efficient way for your pets to utilize the health benefits of CBD. They can serve the best for pets that do not like treats and CBD oils.
Side effects of consuming CBD.
Overdosage of CBD can have side effects on our pets. Some of the common side effects are:
- Dry mouth: Improper consumption of CBD can lead to reduced saliva production and can cause dryness of the mouth in pets.
- Low Blood pressure: CBD, when given in high doses, can lead to lowered blood pressure.
- Drowsiness: Overdosage of CBD can cause drowsiness. It usually happens when a pet parent gives excess CBD to their pets to relieve anxiety.
Things you should know!
After a vet prescribes CBD for your pet, you might have to keep a few things in mind.
- Always go for third-party lab testing before giving any CBD product to your pet.
- Oils are the best form for your pet to consume CBD.
- Always keep the quality and popularity of the brand in mind before buying CBD products.
Bottom line
Hemp-derived products are legal and safe for your pets. Now, this might sound too good to be true. But, CBD products for pets have little or no risks with proper dosages. CBD products can not get your pets high, and they are non-intoxicating.
Proper research will help you find the best CBD product for your pets.
