Explore the Question - Can I Give CBD To My Pet?
Can I Give CBD To My Pet? As a pet owner, you will always ensure that you get the best for your friend, and even as you start to include CBD into your day, you might be asking yourself, Can I give CBD to my pet? There are many things in the world of cannabis that are in the gray area, and so are cannabis and pets.
However, whenever we consider CBD, cannabidiol pet products have been considered safe for your pets and have a lot of amazing benefits for them. However, you still have to be cautious whenever you are giving CBD to your pet.
As such, we have made a guide to understand what is involved in giving CBD to your pet, the dosages, safety considerations to keep in mind, and all the other things involved in the process.
What is CBD for Pets?
For us to have a better understanding of CBD for pets, it is important that we first get familiar with cannabidiol. We will explain it in greater detail and how it interacts with the endocannabinoid system.
CBD is one of the cannabinoids that are in the greatest abundance. It is a class of natural compounds that occurs naturally in cannabis. It does not have the potential to get you high but instead will work to provide you with endless therapeutic benefits which are good for your health and mental well-being.
Just like us, our pets also have an endocannabinoid system which is a system of signaling cells that inform the body where it requires regulation or support. The ECS ensures that homeostasis is maintained in the body as well as carrying out other functions in the muscles and brain such as pain management.
Whenever we consume CBD, we are actively supplying the endocannabinoid system with more cannabinoids to ensure that it can clearly and effectively carry out all its functions. Experts have a theory that a similar process will happen whenever you give your pets cannabinoids.
As such, there are some manufacturers that have done the necessary research and developed CBD oil for pets that will cater to their needs more effectively.
What exactly is CBD oil designed for pets? These are CBD products intended for pets and have hemp oil and pet treats that have been infused with CBD for better animal consumption.
There are plenty of pet CBD products available in the market but to be on the safe side; you must always be very cautious about what you buy and how you give the CBD to your pets.
Can I Give CBD to My Pet?
If this is the main question bothering your mind, then the simple answer is yes. However, there are several things that you have to be aware of before you give your pet CBD. To begin with, you must understand that animals have fewer endocannabinoid receptors as compared to human beings, and as such, giving them the same amount of CBD that you would consume means that they will have a greater effect on them.
For this reason, the pets will be likely to become clumsier, vomit, and develop dehydration and diarrhea.
At the same time, the CBD industry tends to be largely unregulated, and while the pet products may indicate that they only have CBD in them, there are some hemp products that will contain a bit of THC.
THC is psychoactive in nature, and your cats and dogs can be allergic to THC. As such, it is important that you avoid giving them products that have any amount of THC in them. Broad-spectrum products are more ideal for your pets since they will be safer for your pet and they will not trigger any allergic reaction.
Additionally, you should ensure that you only buy pet CBD products that will provide you the certificate of analysis for their product. This will ensure that you have the test results and an analysis that demonstrates their quality and purity.
This is quite useful and will ensure that you are always on the safe side whenever you intend to give your pet CBD. Interestingly, it would be better for you if you maintain to buying full-spectrum CBD products or hemp oil for your pets.
These products do not have any included additives other than the MCT oil that usually acts as the carrier. For this reason, you will be able to ensure that your pets are getting the purity that they deserve.
However, this is not to mean that you will have completely eliminated the THC since full-spectrum CBD products are known to still contain a minute amount of THC. Mostly, this is usually below 0.3% which means that the CBD is no longer a cause of concern for you, and as such, you will be safer in the knowledge that your pet will not suffer from any allergic reaction when you give them CBD.
With the tiny amount of THC that is in the product, you will be able to ensure that the CBD is more completely and effectively absorbed, thanks to a process that is known as the entourage effect. For someone that would like to remain on the safe side and get rid of any amounts of THC in the product, it would be better to opt for CBD isolated that are purely CBD and do not have any traces of other compounds.
The ideal doses for your pets will be different based on their size and weight. Remember, different CBD products meant for pets will have different levels of CBD content, and as such, a dosage that you would consider to be reasonable for one pet will produce different results when you use it with another pet.
For this reason, it is important that you always look for the ideal dose for each CBD product for your pet, depending on whether you will be using it for your cat or dog. So, the final answer will still be a yes.
You can give hemp oil to your pet. However, it is still important that you always take caution whenever you do this since it is not possible to get any reaction from your pets to determine whether they enjoy the dose or not.
Is Hemp Safe for Pets?
In many CBD studies, researchers have been making use of animals for their experiments. There are also other studies that are still ongoing on pet CBD, its safety, and areas of application. These animal studies have been able to produce positive results.
For instance, Frontiers in Veterinary Science carried out a study to determine how effective CBD is on osteoarthritic dogs. The results that were obtained from this study found out that giving dogs 2mg/kg of CBD two times a day could be an effective way to increase the level of activity and comfort in dogs.
Pet CBD can be generally considered to be safe, but at the same time, it is crucial that you remember that there have not been enough cannabidiol studies on conventional pets. Even though it is considered safe for pets, this does not mean that there are no side effects that are involved, and the reactions will always be different for different animals.
For this reason, it wouldn't be risky to give your pet CBD, but the right doses are necessary for your pet to ensure that you are able to get the right kind of results and achieve the desired effect in your pet.
As you give your pet CBD, ensure that you do it carefully and slowly. The safest way is to give your pet 1-2 mg of CBD for every ten pounds of body weight. You can also try to increase the dosage by about 3 mg at a time when you notice that the dosage that you are using on your pet is not enough. This will ensure that your pet will be able to get a comfortable and more productive experience, and as such, you will be able to give them a dose that is enough for them.
How to Give Your Pet CBD
Tinctures are the best way to give hemp oil to your pets. You can also try pet treats and soft chews, which are better methods that are easier to consume. However, in terms of effectiveness, the best option for giving your pet CBD would be pet CBD oil.
It is a means that will ensure that you have the best, quickest absorption possible. However, not all pets are the same, and as such, their preferences in terms of consumption methods will be different, and you will have to look for a method that works more effectively with their temperament and personal preferences.
Try Using a Dropper!
In case your pet is comfortable with being fed through a dropper, this is one of the more effective ways to give them CBD. Ensure that you always measure the correct dosage while giving them the drops directly on the tongue.
This is simple and ensures that they have enough until the next dose. The amount will vary, and there is no ideal dosage recommendation. If you are still unsure of the ideal doses, ensure that you start with minimal doses and slowly increase over time depending on the reactions that you get from your pet when you give them the CBD. To be safer, it is important that you start with amounts that are based on the weight of your pet.
Mix their treat or food with hemp oil for pets
If your pet does not like the look and feel of droppers, you can try mixing the right dose of CBD oil in their food. Ensure that you let the CBD oil soak in before giving the food to your pet. Ensure that you make use of unflavored CBD oil to ensure that they are not spooked from eating their food comfortably. The effect of the CBD oil will usually kick in within an hour or so from the time they eat their food.
Opt for CBD soft chews or treats
There are pets that will not like CBD oil at all, and the best alternative, in this case, is usually feeding them CBD-infused treats, soft chews, and edibles. These treats come in varied strengths and flavors, depending on what your pet likes. Always choose a treat that you are sure that your pet will love. You can give them these treats once or twice each day for the best results.
Topical Application
There are shampoos, sprays, balms, and ointments for your pet that have CBD infused in them. These can be applied during and after a bath, and you can make use of them whenever you notice your furry friend be in discomfort or pain. These products do not reach the bloodstream of your pet, and as such, you can give them other doses of CBD whenever necessary.
Benefits of Hemp Oil for Pets: Why Give Your Pet CBD?
CBD has plenty of benefits for your pets. These include:-
- Your pet can manage chronic pain and joint pain
- It helps to alleviate anxiety
- It can reduce and control seizures
- It stimulates appetite
- It improves their overall comfort and mood
Helping you Understand Pet CBD to Its Fullest
- Generally, CBD is safe for your pets, but you should always ensure that you consult with a vet before the administration of the CBD to your pet.
- Only purchase CBD products that have a certificate of analysis to ensure that you know exactly what is in the product
- Consult a vet to know the right dosages for each of your pets. It is not recommended to use the right dose for all your pets since they all have different needs.
- Do not cut costs by opting for cheaper products. Always buy high-quality pet CBD for your pet.
We may not be veterinarians, but we have a good understanding of medical cannabis. Whenever it comes to CBD, we have experts that will give you the full benefits behind the compound. We will also ensure that you have accurate information whenever you need to give your pet CBD.