CBD and Pets | An easy guide to giving your pet CBD

Despite everyone wanting happy and healthy pets, sometimes some circumstances can make their lives more difficult. Things like fireworks, thunderstorms, and of course, vacuums (the house pet’s boogie-man), can all cause excess stress and anxiety for our furry family members. CBD and Pets have become an increasingly popular subject among the natural pet community. Giving your pets CBD oil can be a natural remedy, and just like in humans, it works with their endocannabinoid system to rebalance their mind and body. 

How does CBD oil products for pets work?

Cannabinoids like CBD and pets have the same bodily interaction as they would in humans because all mammals have an Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The Endocannabinoid System is a vast communication system that is composed of receptors, enzymes, and Endocannabinoids. This system is designed to promote homeostasis and bring our bodies into an optimal balance both physically and mentally.  Supplementing the Endocannabinoid System with CBD or other cannabinoids can help with Endocannabinoid deficiencies and has major benefits.  

CBD for Pets: What are the benefits?

There are bodies of evidence that suggest pet CBD oil and other cannabinoids have medical and therapeutic benefits for your pet, even though the FDA has yet to approve CBD. 

People have been giving their dogs, cats, and even horses CBD for many ailments, and those ailments are similar to the ones humans use CBD for.  CBD has been used to help your pet with anxiety, pain, post-surgery pain, osteoarthritis, IBS, and more.

Research on CBD and Pets

Supplementing your pets endocannabinoid system has the potential to help with various issues and the article, The Current State of Cannabis Research in Veterinary Medicine by Gary Richter in Today’s Veterinary Practice states that cannabis, in general, has become one of the most impactful natural medicines to be introduced into modern veterinary practice.  Here are some research studies on CBD and Pets. 

Osteoarthritis:  A study in 2018 showed that dogs given CBD oil for osteoarthritis had notable decreases in pain and an increase in physical activity. The best news? The dogs in the study had no noticeable side effects while the oil was being administered. Giving mobility is just a great benefit of CBD and Pets, especially if they are elderly.

Inflammation:  Inflammation is at the root of many different types of chronic pain, and CBD when ingested or applied topically, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. This suggests that giving pets CBD oil could help with many different kinds of pain including those from surgery, injuries, and even illnesses. 

CBD and Pets Anxiety:  This 2020 study on sound anxiety and dogs found decreased levels of cortisol after being treated with CBD suggests that CBD can help regulate anxiety in your pet. 

CBD may also help pets with these other health conditions:

• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Seizures and tremors
• Cardiac health
• Autoimmune diseases
• Cancer
• Shrinking Tumors
• Side effects of chemotherapy and radiation
• Chronic pain
• Arthritis

CBD and Pets: What should I buy?

With so many products out there, it can be hard to know which one would be best for your pet. Some good tips when buying CBD oil are:

Buy CBD products made for pets: Buy products specifically made for pets: Most companies that have CBD oil for pets will have that as a separate product, this is usually safer for your animals than ones made for people. 

Opt out of cheap products:  Don’t buy the cheapest products: Some companies use low-quality ingredients to mix with the CBD oil, and this can increase the chances of your pet having negative side effects.

Always check the testing: Look for 3rd party testing: This provides an impartial examination of the product and its CBD content ensuring that it’s high quality and has the amount of CBD the company says it does.

Don’t look on Amazon: Do not order CBD oil on Amazon: These products are usually hemp seed oil and do not have any Cannabidiol in them. Learn more about the difference between hemp seed oil and CBD oil here.

CBD from Hemp: Make sure the CBD oil you buy for your pet is derived from hemp and not from marijuana: This will ensure that it will not have psychoactive properties and potentially cause trauma for your pet.

Choose Drops over Treats:  CBD oil drops for pets are better than CBD treats: With oil drops, you have more control over the dosage and can find the perfect amount for your specific pet. 

How much CBD should I give my pet?

While some pets will react to small dosages, others will need more. We typically recommend starting your pet with 1 MG of CBD oil per 10 LBS of their weight. 

However, it is important to keep in mind that all animals, like humans, are different. They may be more receptive to smaller doses, or they may need a larger dose. Be consistent for the first week and keep track of your pet’s habits. You may need to increase the dosage to get the response you want.  

CBD and Pets: Is it safe?

According to this 2017 World Health Organization Report, CBD in its purest state is safe to administer to animals.  More research needs to be done on CBD and Pets, but currently, studies say there are minimal negative side effects to CBD.  One health concern comes from a 2018 study of CBD treatment dogs that noticed an increase in the liver enzyme alkaline phosphate (ALP) - although there needs to be more research it’s advised to have concerns when giving CBD to pets with known liver issues. 

Other side effects of CBD and Pets, especially when it comes to higher dosages, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, or increased exhaustion may be a reaction. These effects usually subside within a few hours.

Takeaway Points 

• CBD and Pets is becoming increasingly popular
• CBD oil works in mammals similarly as it does to people, helping the endocannabinoid system regulate the body and mind.
• CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that can help manage your pet’s pain.
• It’s important to buy products made specifically for animals, and that are high quality and made from organic ingredients as they will be safer and cause fewer side effects.
• Start with giving your pet 1 mg of CBD oil per 10lbs of body weight.