Pet owners love their pets just as parents love their children. That’s why when our animals are in pain, we do everything we can to relieve their pain. Many times, pet owners make a trip to the vet and don’t find a solution for their pet. Or, the solution is too costly, and the owner needs an alternative.
More and more people are turning to CBD for relief. While many people benefit from CBD, we have learned that pets benefit too.
But before we get into this subject let’s clear up a common misconception people have around CBD and that it’s the same as marijuana. While CBD is derived from the cannabis, the marijuana plant, CBD is not psychoactive. This means, your dogs are not getting ‘high’ like people would from using marijuana.
The reason CBD does not give the ‘high’ effect that marijuana does is because it is made up of cannabinoids that come from the cannabis plant. CBD does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is the ingredient in marijuana that gets people high. In fact, pet owners should avoid giving their pets any product that includes THC.
So what is CBD? Well, pet CBD oil is similar to NSAID’s (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and it is used as a product to enhance your pet’s quality of life in a more natural way.
Why Use CBD for pets?
Today CBD is used by some pet owners to treat their animals for pain caused by several conditions. These conditions might include general pain management, arthritis, anxiety, seizures, and even cancer.
Note: CBD does not cure these conditions; but it can provide relief for several of their symptoms.
Arthritis
Many pets suffer from arthritis and osteoarthritis as it is the most common inflammatory condition among dogs. Since CBD is classified as an anti-inflammatory drug, CBD can be a substantial treatment to relieve arthritis symptoms for your pet. In fact, Research shows that pets who are given two daily doses of CBD experience less pain from arthritis.
General Pain
Just like humans experience general pain, pets do too. So, what do humans take when they are experiencing pain? Anti-inflammatory medicine! Here your pet can benefit too, so if your pet seems like they are in some pain, talk to your vet and try a dose of CBD for a few days. They may perk right back up!
Seizures
There have been several studies dedicated exploring the relationship between CBD use and seizure reduction in humans. Here, studies have found that those who experience seizures have experienced fewer seizures once they started using CBD.
Not as much research has been done related to seizures in pets and CBD. There is however, some researchthat suggest that CBD could be useful in reducing seizure frequency in dogs. It is important to note that the research also shows that those animals who did experience a reduction in the number of seizure episodes were taking CBD, in addition to their traditional anti-seizure medication.
Cancer
CBD is not a cure for cancer in animals, although we wish it was!
Like humans though, pets experience various uncomfortable symptoms caused by cancer. There has not been nearly as much research on CBD and cancer in pets as there has been on humans, but of the little research that has been done, it has been found that pets who undergo chemotherapy might benefit from CBD treatment, as it will help with nausea. This information was learned through testing of rats and ferrets.
Anxiety
Anxiety is the number one reason of why people use CBD and it has been found that CBD can be just as effective to treat anxiety in pets.
Pets experience two different types of anxiety: situational and behavioral.
- Situational anxiety happens when your pet becomes frightened by situations such as fireworks, thunderstorms or new people.
- Behavioral anxiety can be caused by many things but most commonly pets get separation anxiety.
CBD can provide relief for the following anxiety symptoms:
- Pacing
- Panting
- Whimpering
- Trembling
- Aggression
- Uncontrollable urination
- Nervous licking
- Loss of appetite
Here the Research shows that CBD works by interacting with the body’s naturally occurring endocannabinoid system to ease and calm anxiety organically.
The endocannabinoid system is a newly discovered system that medical researchers are still trying to test and understand, but what researchers have found is that the body has cannabinoid receptors throughout the central nervous system including the organs and brain. When our pets naturally release endocannabinoid chemicals, they bind to the receptors that stimulates the body’s ability to create serotonin, a natural mood stabilizer that helps control anxiety.
So if your pet experiences anxiety, CBD might be a life changing product to make them more comfortable and at ease!
Potential risks of CBD for dogs
So far, CBD is found to be very safe for dogs. But like anything else, CBD must be taken in moderation, and at the recommended dosage. When taken in high quantities, it has been found to cause pets to become sleepy or sedated.
Important note: you should always talk to your vet about offering your pet CBD. Although it is very safe, there may be some drug interactions and it would be better to be safe than sorry.
How much CBD can you give pets?
CBD comes in many forms, but most commonly, pets ingest CBD orally. Just like other medications and remedies it is important to follow the correct dosage.
Studies on using CBD for pets with pain symptoms generally use a dose between 2-8mg/kg, with most using the lower side of that estimate (about 1-2mg per pound of body weight) twice daily.
Can vets give my pet CBD?
No, veterinarians are forbidden from prescribing CBD and are not able to instruct clients to buy CBD products.
However, veterinarians are happy to talk to clients about the potential risks and benefits that you (the owner) have come up with on your own. If you’re interested in giving your pet CBD, speak with a vet that has experience with CBD.
Where can I buy CBD for my Pet?
At CBD Catalog, we are proud to offer our customers Genesis Dog Treats. Our Genesis Dog treats contain less than 0.3% THC, so it is safe for your pet. These treats are cheddar flavored, so your dog will love them!
If this is your first time your dog is using CBD, we are happy to answer any questions you may have. Or, we recommend consulting with your vet to ensure our product is safe for your furry friend.