Benefits of CBD for Pets
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is derived from the hemp plant. The 2018 Farm Bill legislation legalized hemp but did not remove all restrictions on CBD. Instead, it left in the hands of the Food and Drug Administration. While companies may sell products with CBD marketed to humans and pets, they must get FDA approval before making any therapeutic claims.
With so many CBD products on the market today, it’s understandable that you are interested in learning the benefits it might have for your pet. Avoid giving your dog CBD oil designed for humans because they sometimes contain ingredients that are toxic to animals. There are some benefits you should know before starting the special CBD oil pets can use. Many of the studies done so far on CBD have been promising and people who have used this product for their pets report positive results.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a common problem for dogs and cats. Your pet might get anxious when you prepare to leave for work every day, before you take them to the vet, or when they hear loud noises. These situations are out of your control but that doesn’t mean you don’t want to help your fur baby feel more comfortable. CBD might be the answer.
Many pet owners like you have found that CBD helps their pet relax. When you use CBD oil for dogs at the optimal dose for your pet, you can expect your dog to be more relaxed. Too much might make him sleepy. Fortunately, it’s easy to find the right dose by starting small and gradually increasing the amount of oil you give him every day.
Pet owners often start with CBD oil for pets rather than CBD pet treats because it’s easier to increase the dose incrementally with oil. Because the FDA hasn’t approved CBD products for humans or pets except for one prescription medication for seizures in humans, there are no official dosage recommendations. Work with your vet to find the best dose for your pet.
Pain Management
Canine osteoarthritis is a painful condition that affects dogs’ mobility. It can be painful to watch your once vibrant and active dog lose his love for running around the yard because of this condition. CBD products may be able to help. Dog owners like you have used CBD to help their pets regain their range of motion and live their lives without pain. Instead of lying still most of the day and struggling to walk, some dogs that use pet CBD become active again.
CBD might not restore your pet’s energy level to what they had when they were a puppy but at the right dose, your pet may improve noticeably. One research study found that dogs who took CBD over the course of a month still saw improvement in their osteoarthritis symptoms two weeks after stopping the treatment.
Seizures
Seizures are the most common neurological condition for dogs. Whether your dog has been diagnosed with epilepsy or has infrequent seizures, you do everything you can to treat them so they can be comfortable as they live with this heartbreaking condition. This typically means putting your pet on prescription medication. Unfortunately, many prescription drugs have side effects. Pet owners who have started to use CBD products in addition to their prescription medicine have seen some great results.
If CBD is effective in controlling your dog’s seizures, it can certainly improve his quality of life. You’ll no longer brace for the next seizure and may instead relax with your dog and enjoy his company. Before giving your pet any CBD tincture or oil, consult your veterinarian to discuss how CBD might affect their current medication. Your vet may want to monitor your dog more closely and adjust their prescription medication if the CBD works to reduce the seizures.
Consult Your Vet Before Giving CBD to Your Pet
In every state but California, vets are only permitted to talk to about CBD if the pet parent starts the conversation. That doesn’t mean your vet isn’t knowledgeable about CBD or anxious to recommend it to you. If you have been thinking about using CBD and have questions, start the conversation, and listen to your vet’s advice. There’s a good chance they have been following the research and can steer you in the right direction.
It’s also important to talk to your vet before starting CBD because it could interact with medications your pet may already be taking. CBD could increase the potency of other medications. Knowing their patient is taking CBD will help your vet prescribe the appropriate doses of other medications. If you’re going to try CBD for your pet, be sure it is a product that is made for pets, not humans.
What to Expect When You Give Your Pet CBD
The amount of CBD for pets that is right for your pet depends largely on their size and age. Unless your vet tells you otherwise, it’s best to start with a small dose of CBD for dogs and gradually add more until your pet shows benefits from the product.
At the optimal dose, your anxious pet may be more relaxed in situations where they would normally have hidden under a bed or paced the room. Your arthritic pet might have more range of motion than before and might enjoy long walk again. If your pet has epilepsy, they may have fewer seizures.
When you start giving pet relief CBD or change the dose, watch your pet carefully for a positive or negative reaction. Too much might make your pet sleepy, give your pet dry mouth, or cause their blood pressure to drop. Be sure to keep a record of how much CBD pet tincture or oil you give your pet, their reaction to the dose, and your observation. Share this information with your vet to get their recommendations.
Giving CBD pet products to your dog could make a huge difference in their quality of life but if you want to make the biggest impact to your pet’s health, choose the manufacturer wisely. Research the company, look at the certificate of analysis, and talk to your vet about dosing. Instead of shopping based on price, search for reputable products. The best CBD oil for pets are made by companies that invest in certificates of analysis for their products are likely to cost more. They are also more likely to be effective than products from companies that aren’t willing to make that investment.