You’ve probably heard the buzz around CBD and all its health-boosting properties. CBD is legal in all 50 states, it won’t get you high, and it won’t get you addicted!
If you’ve suffered from specific health complaints and CBD has had positive effects, it might be time to see if it has the same great results on your four-legged furry friend.
There are plenty of CBD products for pets now on the market, and they are available in tasty treats that they’ll just love.
Your pets can experience many of the same health issues as humans have, be it anxiety or arthritis, as they get older.
CBD can help alleviate many of these issues and provide your pet with a better quality of life. In this article, we are going to explore everything you need to know about CBD and pets.
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol. This is one of over 80 chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. It is non-psychoactive and doesn’t produce a “high” like its counterpart, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD also doesn’t have any significant side effects.
CBD is produced in the leaves and buds of cannabis plants. You can purchase it in oil form, as an edible, or even in dog treats.
The properties of CBD are what make it so great for your pet. The benefits range from reducing inflammation, to lowering anxiety, to relieving pain. CBD has even been known to help with seizures and seizures.
How Does CBD Work?
CBD interacts with your body through the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is a large network of receptors that are found throughout the body.
Your body naturally produces endocannabinoids, which interact with these receptors. CBD works by sending signals to these receptors, and changing the way they work.
The ECS plays a role in many different processes. Some of these include mood, pain, sleep, memory, immune health, motor control, appetite, and digestion.
When CBD interacts with your ECS, it influences how these natural activities take place.
The Most Popular Benefits of Using CBD for Pets
As we mentioned above, there are plenty of positive effects that CBD has on your pet. Some of the most common physical and behavioral changes that you may see include:
- Reduced pain levels
- Improved mood
- Reduced inflammation
- Reduced anxiety and stress levels
- Better sleeping patterns
- Increased energy levels
- Better socialization skills
If you notice any of these changes in your pet after giving them CBD, you should definitely stick with it!
But be sure to talk to your vet before you start giving them CBD, so that they can make sure that it’s safe for your pet.
They may want to check your pet’s blood work to ensure that there aren’t any drug interactions or that your pet isn’t suffering from any other underlying condition that could be worsened by CBD.
Discussing this with your vet beforehand will help ensure that you get the best results out of using CBD for your pet!
In addition to physical changes, you may also notice a change in your pet’s behaviors as well.
For example, if your dog is always anxious or nervous when they go out on walks, they may become more calm and relaxed when taking CBD. This is especially important when you have a high-energy pup that never seems to tire out!
You may also notice a change in their mood when they are around other pets and people. In fact, some dogs do become more social while taking CBD! These behavioral changes can really help improve your pet’s quality of life as well as yours!
When Should Your Pet Start Taking CBD?
You should speak with your veterinarian about whether it’s safe for your pet to take CBD before starting them on a new supplement.
Generally speaking, we recommend waiting until your pet is at least 6 months old before giving them any sort of supplement, including CBD.
This will ensure that they have built up a strong immune system before starting them on new substances.
However, if you have a very sick pet that needs immediate relief from their pain or inflammation, you can ask your vet about starting them on CBD before the six-month mark. Just be sure to keep tabs on how they react to the supplement!
If you notice any stomach problems or other side effects during this time, then you should discontinue use. If not, then you can continue until they reach the six-month mark!
Be sure to speak with your vet if you have any specific concerns about their age or health status if you plan on giving them CBD regularly!
Is it Safe for My Pet?
CBD is completely safe for your pet as long as they don’t have any underlying conditions which could be worsened by the supplement.
If your pet has never had any exposure to THC or CBD before, then there may be an adjustment period when they first start taking it.
Some of the common side effects include vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms should disappear within the first week or two after starting CBD treatment.
As long as these don’t persist for too long after starting CBD treatment, then it should be perfectly safe for your pet! If you notice these side effects persisting longer than two weeks after starting CBD treatment, then you should speak to your vet.
How to Give Your Pet CBD
There are many different ways to give your pet CBD. The most common methods include:
Orally – You can give your pet their daily dose of CBD in the form of a treat, or you can add it to their food. This is probably the most convenient way of giving them CBD, but you will need to watch out for any allergies that they may have!
Topically – CBD oil is also available in a topical ointment. You can rub this into your pet’s skin, and it will help with localized inflammation and pain in that area. This method is most commonly used for arthritis in older pets.
Inhalation – You can also have your pet inhale CBD via a vaporizer. Just make sure that the vaporizer you are using is safe for pets!
Regardless of which method you choose, it’s important to start off with relatively low doses of CBD and then work your way up as needed.
It’s always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to giving your pet a new supplement or medication!
Some pet owners even like to mix CBD with their pets’ food so that they don’t have to worry about giving it to them every day. This way, if your dog or cat doesn’t like the taste of the CBD oil, then they won’t be as likely to spit it out.
The Bottom Line
Pets suffer from a wide variety of specific conditions that can really impact their quality of life. These may include arthritis, joint pain, anxiety, cancer, seizures, digestive issues, and much more.
If your pet suffers from one of these conditions, then you should definitely consider using CBD with them.
Some people find that CBD works best when combined with other medications or supplements.
For example, if you wanted to battle cancer in your pet, you could use chemotherapy drugs along with CBD treatments.
However, we recommend speaking to your vet before adding anything else to your pet’s medications and supplements!