As CBD products become more and more popular, a new consumer market for the supplements has emerged: pets! Yes, your furry friends can reap the relaxing benefits of CBD too as tinctures and edibles for cats and dogs have hit pet store shelves. As a pet owner, you may be wondering about the benefits of CBD for pets. Well, look no further! We’re here to break down all the paw-sitives of CBD, and how they can help your furry friend live their happiest, healthiest life.
What is CBD for Pets?
CBD is a cannabinoid extracted from cannabis plants, typically in oil form. While it comes from the same plant as THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid that creates the mind-altering high in marijuana, CBD is not a psychoactive compound. Instead, CBD works to naturally calm the body and mind. When in its full-spectrum oil form, CBD works with other cannabinoid compounds to create an overall relaxing effect in the body. Full-spectrum CBD may contain trace amounts of THC, but due to federal regulations, CBD products can contain no more than 0.3% of the mind-altering substance. Rest assured, when your pup takes CBD, they’re not getting high too!
CBD works by connecting with cannabinoid receptors, parts of the central nervous system’s endocannabinoid network. Cannabinoid receptors are present throughout the body, and manage mental stress, as well as physical pain. When cannabinoids take in CBD, they disperse it to the body to calm sites of inflammation. CBD works in pets very similarly to how it does in humans.
What is the Typical CBD Dosage for Dogs and Cats?
CBD product doses are usually a bit lower in pets than they are in humans. A typical starting dosage of CBD for a dog or cat is 2mg per ten pounds of body weight. Depending on whether they weigh more, or have a higher metabolism, you can increase or decrease their doses as needed. It’s important to talk to your veterinarian before starting your cat or dog on a CBD regimen to make sure the products you choose won’t interact with existing medications or supplements your cat is taking for their health.
What Are the Benefits of Giving Your Pets CBD?
Now that we’ve broken down the basics of CBD for pets, it’s time to dive into some of the wonderful benefits cannabidiol products can add to your furry friend’s life.
- Decreased Stress – If you notice your pet is easily agitated by external stimuli like noise or other pets and people, or that they begin to get worried when you’re about to leave the house, CBD can be helpful in decreasing their stress level. CBD connects with cannabinoid receptors in the brain to reduce feelings of anxiety, which can help to make your pet feel more at ease during moments of overwhelm.
- Supports Healthy Joints – CBD has been shown to aid in reducing joint pain, and thereby supporting healthy joint mobility. Given this, CBD can be especially helpful for dogs and cats struggling with various forms of arthritis or mobility issues.
- Supports Healthy Digestion – Just as it calms joint inflammation, CBD is also known to help calm the stomach lining. Often, our pets’ digestion issues can be triggered by stress; as such, CBD can help in more ways than one, by calming our furry friends’ minds and their nervous tummies at the same time.
- Aides in Reducing Spasms and Seizures – As CBD relaxes the central nervous system, it can be helpful in aiding animals who suffer from nervous system issues like muscle spasms and seizures. While not a cure-all, studies have shown CBD supplements to support the overall management of seizures in the pets who suffer from them.
How Can I Give My Pet CBD?
There are a variety of ways that you can offer CBD to your pet. CBD is typically taken orally in the form of either a tincture or an edible treat. Tinctures are CBD oil, and usually come in a bottle with a stopper so you can easily drop the needed dosage amount into their mouths. If your pet is a little bit fussier, or just loves a good treat, you can try CBD edibles instead. CBD edibles are made when CBD oil is combined into the batter of a treat and then baked. If your pet suffers from dry skin or dermatological allergies, topical CBD creams made for pets could also be beneficial.
Giving your pets CBD is a wonderful, all-natural way to help supplement their overall health. Whether you’re looking to help your pet calm their mind, support their joint health, or ease their digestive issues, CBD can help your pets live their healthiest, most tail-wagging filled life. And with a variety of different forms of CBD, from tinctures, to edible treats, to soothing creams, there’s a wide scope of products to try to find the right fit for your cat or dog. What kind of CBD products do you plan on trying out with your pets?
