In recent years, there has been a huge trend in the health and wellness communities, and CBD has become a prominent buzzword, with claims that it can cure everything from anxiety to insomnia.
The substance has become a fan favorite, but its uses and benefits extend far beyond merely solving human problems – there can also be advantages for your pets.
While there is still evidence to be conducted on the benefits of CBD for animals, early studies indicate that advantages may exist, especially when it comes to pain relief, or helping to soothe anxious animals.
Before you make any decision, it is important to ensure that you have all the facts, so read on for everything you need to know and CBD for pets.
What Is CBD?
Before we take a closer look at the benefits of CBD for pets, it is a good idea to get an insight into the nuances of CBD and gain an understanding of just how it works.
As the name suggests, CBD, or cannabidiol, is part of the cannabinoid family, and this is a class of chemical compounds that occur naturally in a cannabis plant. Within the human body lies a system known as the endocannabinoid system, and cannabinoids interact with these to help the body maintain a balanced state of homeostasis.
One of the main concerns often associated with CBD is the risk of getting stoned or high, but this is a common misconception. It is another part of the cannabis plant, tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, which produces the high often chased by recreational users.
CBD, on the other hand, produces no such effects, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of the substance without any of the negative side effects.
When it comes to animals, this same endocannabinoid system is present, and studies seem to suggest that just like with humans, pets metabolize CBD in the liver. Whether the endocannabinoid system of animals handles CBD in the same way as humans remains to be seen, but early studies seem to be positive.
How Is CBD Administered to Animals?
The CBD pet care options available come in most of the same forms that the substance is used for human consumption, including edibles – mainly capsules and chewable treats – topical balms or creams, to be applied directly to the skin, or oils that can be added to food.
This allows you to choose the best option for your pet, and it is worth noting that different types of products can have different effects on dogs – just as is the case with humans.
According to a recent study, oils were the best fit for dogs, reaching the highest concentrations in the blood, and staying in the bloodstream for the longest. They also performed the most consistently across different types and breeds of dogs.
Each of the three main options has its own pros and cons:
CBD Treats and Chews
Edibles such as treats and chews are typically the easiest way to administer CBD to your pet. The chews are made with an oil base, and this is then infused into the treat or chew.
As the edibles tend to be tasty, they are easy to give your pet with minimal fuss. On the downside, there is less of an ability to control the dose up or down, and this can be an issue if you like to be able to control the dosage.
CBD Topical Products
In some cases, you may choose a balm or cream to be applied topically to your pet’s skin. CBD may be incorporated into lotions to help alleviate skin conditions, aches, and pains, and this allows them to be quickly and easily absorbed into the cannabinoid receptors that are found in the skin of your pet.
Topical application allows you to control the dose more easily, but can be tricky to administer – it is best applied to a shaved area or a space without hair. Preventing your pet from licking the site can also be very challenging, especially when it comes to curious cats!
CBD Capsules and Pills
Pills and capsules can be an easy way to attain the benefits of CBD oil, but with the oil suspended in a gel capsule.
They are great for travel and transportation, allowing you to maintain your pet’s medication on the move without worrying about the mess, but once again, you cannot control dosage and can be harder for your pet to take – we have all experienced the headache of trying to get a deworming tablet into a cat!
There is also some evidence that animals do not absorb the CBD as effectively in a capsule as they do in an oil form.
CBD Oil
Wherever possible, it is a good idea to try and administer CBD to your pet in oil form. This allows you total control over the dosage and makes it super easy to make adjustments.
Research also suggests that this is the fastest and more effective way of getting the product into your pet’s blood and that it has the longest staying power of any of the options we have discussed.
What Is The Difference Between Full and Broad Spectrum CBD Products?
Another consideration when choosing the best option is to take a look at full spectrum versus broad-spectrum products – the label of the item you choose will have one of these descriptions. Essentially, this tells you the compounds that are included in the product you choose.
- Broad-spectrum CBD products are extracted from hemp plants, and contain all of the compounds from the plant, with the exception of THC. Following the extraction of the substance, all traces of THC are totally removed with broad-spectrum CBD.
- Full-spectrum THC contains all of the compounds that are naturally found in the original hemp plant that the substance is harvested from, and this includes cannabinoids (both THC and CBD), as well as terpenes and flavonoids. It should be noted that any full-spectrum products will contain less than 0.3% of THC by dry weight, and all of the active compounds work together in order to provide boosted, amplified benefits to health, and this is known as the ‘entourage effect’.
- CBD isolate is another option you may encounter during your research. This is the purest form of CBD available and is created by extracting CBD from the plant and eliminating all other compounds apart from CBD, meaning that it is typically around 99% pure. According to the evidence, however, full or broad-spectrum options will usually have greater benefits for humans, and so it stands to reason that the same will apply to pets.
It is worth noting that terpenes may also be mentioned on the product you choose – these are the essential oils found in the hemp and marijuana plants, and these offer the distinctive taste and odor.
Every species will have its own unique terpene profile, and this is based on environmental factors such as the humidity, light, temperature, and soil quality where the plant was grown. Different terpenes can have different effects on the body and can boost the effects of medical benefits.
As an example, linalool is a terpene also found in lavender, and this has been proven to improve anti-seizure activity in humans and pets.
What Are The Benefits Of CBD For Pets?
While research and studies are still ongoing, there is early and anecdotal evidence that CBD offers a number of benefits for pets, and some of these include:
- Alleviating stress and anxiety
- Helping with moderate to severe pain conditions
- Reducing chronic inflammation
- Reducing arthritis and joint pain thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD, including restoring greater mobility and movement
- Alleviating digestive problems and nausea
- Helping symptoms of cancer
- Reducing post-operative pain and discomfort
- Treating epileptic seizures – several dog owners have reported improvements in seizures and symptoms of seizures, but scientific studies are still underway to help research and uncover this in greater detail
Choosing A CBD Product For Your Pet
If you decide to go ahead with a CBD product, the first thing you need is a conversation with your vet – we will take a closer look at how to do this in just a moment.
It is also important to do plenty of research; no two pets are the same, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Some pets will react differently to CBD and certain products than others.
You are the best judge of your pet, as the person who knows them best, and so will be in the best position to decide whether this is the right path to take. When choosing the right product, there are a few considerations:
Understand Your Pets Needs
Ultimately, the right product for your pet will depend largely on the overall health and wellness needs of your individual pet. Think about why you are considering CBD – is it to reduce anxiety or alleviate pain? Is your pet suffering from arthritis or allergies, or experiencing seizures?
Perhaps you are looking for the best way to complement or enhance cancer treatment? The needs of your pet will determine the product you choose, as well as the type of CBD you opt for – for example, systemic, or whole-body, products such as oil are best for anxiety, while a localized problem in a specific area – such as a sore leg – may be best treated by a topical application such as lotion or cream.
Check Reviews and Recommendations
Get your hands on as much information as possible – consult with other pet owners, read reviews, and ask for first-hand opinions and experience. If you know someone who has used CBD for their pets and experienced success, ask them about your pet’s conditions and symptoms, and discuss the treatments that did and did not work for them – this could be a good starting point. Compare the different products and treatment options available, read reviews, and gather literature – all of this will help you to make an informed decision.
Research The Company
Just as not all CBD products are created equal, the same applies to the companies creating the items. Before making your final decision, make sure you do plenty of research on the company, the product, and the manufacturing processes behind each of the items.
Make sure that the company you choose is open and transparent about its sources, policies, and testing procedures. In short, make sure that you totally trust the brand before giving their product to your pet.
How To Talk To Your Vet
As we have stressed, it is crucial that you talk to your vet before starting any treatment or new product, or introducing anything into your pet’s diet.
Getting your vet on side can be tricky, however; many of the studies and research pieces surrounding CBD are a work in progress, and state legislation may restrict the conversations your vet can have with you about the product – in some cases, even discussing or recommending the treatment can be illegal.
It is important to have a good understanding of the laws in your state, as the veterinary medical board will mandate the discussion permitted.
Make sure that you are always open and honest when approaching the topic, and keep the dialogue open. Emphasize the reasons you are interested in using the product, and share resources and literature to open the conversation and get recommendations if at all possible.
In some cases, the restrictions may limit the knowledge your vet has on the topic, but most will be able to offer expert advice on potential adverse reactions, and the best ways to reduce these, and these can be helpful in picking and using a product.
Final Thoughts
To date, most of the data and reported benefits of CBD come from anecdotal data provided by pet owners, but there is no denying that the substance has been reported to have a number of positive effects on humans. It stands to reason, therefore, that these same benefits may be enjoyed by pets, especially due to the presence of a cannabinoid system that echoes that found in their human owners.
As with any new change to your pet’s lifestyle, it is important to have a conversation with your vet before introducing CBD or any other substance. While most vets will be unable to prescribe CBD – this is illegal in many states – they will be able to offer professional, expert advice which is based on your pet and their own health and medical history.
