CBD has made quite a splash within the past few years. It’s quickly gaining a reputation as an easy health-booster, and not just because it’s now more accessible than ever.
People all over the world are turning to products containing CBD oil for everything from sleep relief from disorders to beauty-boosting skin creams. We already know that CBD is safe for human use, but the real question is, what about pets?
CBD Oil and Your Pets
No matter how much reading you’ve done about giving CBD oil to your furry friends, it’s completely normal to still be on the fence about whether or not it’s the right thing to do. Unfortunately, we can’t keep things simple for you, since the answer is, “It depends.”
Whether or not you give animal-friendly CBD oil to your pet is situational. It truly depends on the animal’s condition and how your pet reacts to certain substances. In most cases, it is completely OK to help your pet deal with anxiety, skin conditions, pain, and other ailments as long as the pet owner follows the recommended dosage.
How Your Pet Can Benefit from CBD
Cannabis Growing Canada, one of the largest ACMPR medical marijuana licensing services in Canada, says that “CBD oil has the ability to treat inflammation, or at least make it a whole lot better.” The anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol are to thank for CBD’s growing popularity, both for humans and their pets.
It Can Ease Anxiety
If you consider the ways in which you (a human being) can benefit from using CBD oil, the same goes for animals. It can help treat pain caused by inflammation when used topically or taken orally, and it can also help to ease anxiety.
If you’re wondering to yourself, “why in the world would my pet be anxious?”, the possibilities are endless. Animals experience anxiety just like humans do, only their anxious feelings don’t stem from stress at work or financial woes. Anxiety in domestic animals is more often caused by loneliness, boredom, and lack of exercise.
It Can Alleviate Pain
Anxiety isn’t the only reason to consider administering CBD oil to your animal, though. Just as we do, animals experience pain from arthritis, achy joints, limited mobility, and more. CBD won’t cure the actual disease that’s causing the pain, but it can at least alleviate the discomfort and improve your pet’s overall quality of life.
Research is inconclusive at the moment, but the American Kennel Club says this about CBD oil for dogs: “What scientists do know is that cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid receptors located in the central and peripheral nervous systems, which help maintain balance in the body and keep it in a normal healthy state.”
Whether the balanced healthy state refers to a less anxious mental state or relief from physical pain, CBD oil can help your pet. Many pet owners first consult with a veterinary for an expert opinion, which is especially suggested for animals with abnormal health conditions.
So, What’s the Verdict?
Before feeding CBD-infused treats to your dog or cat, it’s extremely important that you do your research. Find a highly-recommended animal-friendly CBD product, always follow the recommended dosage based on your pet’s weight (this isn’t a guessing game), and start out with the low end of the recommendation.
FAQs About Pets and CBD
Can I give my dog or cat human CBD oil?
Yes, but you’ll always find products labeled individually for either humans or pets – never both. This is because the FDA is not permitted to label products for consumption by both humans and pets. As long as you choose a reputable CBD oil manufacturer, pets can take human-grade CBD oil with no adverse side effects.
What is the recommended dosage?
This depends on two things: the product and the weight of your animal. The general rule of thumb is 1-5 milligrams of CBD for every 10 pounds of body weight, but always read labels to see what the manufacturer recommends. So for a 10-pound pet, a low dose would be 1mg, a medium dose would be 5mg, and 5mg would be the highest dose.
How long will it take for my pet to feel the effects of CBD?
You can expect your pet to start benefiting from CBD within 30 minutes to 1 hour after administering it. For chronic issues, it might take longer for your pet to experience any benefits, so it’s suggested that you give CBD oil a try for 2 to 4 weeks before moving on to another treatment method.