CBD For Pets: Navigating The CBD World For Your Furry Friends
You can’t go anywhere without hearing about the benefits of CBD, but have you considered if CBD for pets might be an option for your furry friends? Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is used frequently to treat a variety of symptoms in humans, and now many pet owners are using it to improve their pets’ conditions.
What is CBD
Cannabidiol or CBD is a derivative of hemp and cannabis plants used to treat pain, anxiety, inflammation, cancer, and other ailments. There is a misconception that CBD can get you “high” like marijuana. However, it generally contains little to no THC, which is the ingredient that has psychoactive properties. Unlike marijuana, CBD is legal in Virginia and is for sale at many stores and online.
Benefits of CBD for Pets
There have been no formal studies done on the benefits of CBD for pets. The American Veterinary Medical Association has yet to take a stance, and the FDA has only approved CBD usage for humans. However, there is anecdotal evidence from pet owners who claim it treats pain and controls seizures along with other benefits.
Humans use CBD to treat ailments such as:
Inflammation
Epilepsy
Fearfulness and anxiety
Spasms
Arthritis
IBS
Parasitic infections
Pain
Cancer
Nausea
Glaucoma
It’s believed based on anecdotal evidence and informal studies that pets can be treated for similar issues.
Picking the Right CBD for Pets
When picking CBD for your pets, you want to choose an organic oil. Look for an option that has no pesticides, fungicides, or solvents. Also, be careful when bargain shopping for CBD because many of the cheaper oils will contain toxic substances. It’s a good rule of thumb to opt for the best quality over the best price.
Administering CBD for Pets
It’s suggested that you administer CBD for pets as a tincture which is a concentrated liquid herbal extract. Since there have been no formal studies on CBD usage for pets, there are no specific dosage suggestions.
Some follow the rule to begin with 1 mg of CBD per 10 lb one to two times per day. Your best bet is to start with a small amount and increase the dosage over time until you determine the best amount for your pet. When your pet first starts taking CBD or when you change the dosage, you want to keep a close eye on him or her to make sure there aren’t any adverse side effects.
There are a few common side effects. Some pets get a dry mouth due to decreased saliva while others experience low blood pressure, which can lead to lightheadedness. Your pet might even feel slightly drowsy due to the calming effect CBD provides. Thankfully, CBD isn’t toxic, so your pet can’t overdose.
They might become sedated or have an increased appetite if they take too much, but they won’t experience any devastating effects.
Next Steps
Determining whether to provide your furry family member with CBD is a personal choice that can lead to tremendous benefits based on your overall goals for their health and quality of life.
Some of my clients use CBD to calm their pets’ nerves when staying home alone. CBD paired with being taken out for daily walks or having a pet sitter, eases the anxiety. There are many things you can do to improve the quality of your pet’s life. If you believe hiring a pet sitting or dog walking services is one of them, I’d love to chat with you! Click here to learn more about how Crate Escape Pet Care can help.