Despite all of the hype in the CBD pet space, there are some unanswered questions about using hemp extract on furry friends. If you're curious about feeding CBD to your pets, chances are you have concerns about its safety and legality.
While there's a lot we don't know about hemp CBD for pets, we can say it's a legal option in the USA. Also, thousands of pet-owners claim they never want to return to pre-CBD days. Although CBD might not be right for every pet, it's certainly having a positive effect in many households.
Why Do People Feed CBD Oil To Their Pets?
Most customers buy CBD pet treats for one of two reasons: pain relief or stress reduction. Unsurprisingly, these also happen to be the best-studied symptoms in most tests involving CBD.
Interestingly, there's one noteworthy study examining the effect of CBD on dogs with arthritis. Vets at Cornell University found that dogs who took a daily dose of CBD capsules seemed to have greater joint mobility and less pain than those who ate placebo pills.
There's also a University of Kentucky study that examined topical CBD on arthritic rats. Impressively, the CBD lotion appeared to reduce knee inflammation. While we don't know how these findings relate to dogs or cats, it strongly suggests CBD has anti-inflammatory properties.
As for CBD's stress-relieving effects, there's less data specifically tracking "paranoid pups." However, clinical trials are examining CBD's effect on people with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Researchers in Brazil and Japan claimed CBD had a beneficial impact on people with SAD versus placebo controls.
Since dogs and cats have endocannabinoid systems, CBD should have a similarly calming effect. Indeed, many pet-owners already use CBD oil to soothe pets during thunderstorms or loud fireworks festivities.
Could Pets Get Side Effects After Taking CBD?
According to the WHO's findings, CBD is safe for healthy adults and pets. However, that doesn't mean CBD-related side effects are impossible.
Thankfully, if pets experience adverse reactions when taking CBD, it's likely they'll be mild. A few common CBD side effects include fatigue, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Usually, pets only experience one of these issues if they take too much CBD oil. To reduce the risk of side effects, always feed your pet the minimum recommended dose of CBD and wait to gauge their reaction.
If you notice side effects, please stop feeding your pet CBD for one or two days. Once you see your pet is feeling better, try a lower dose of your CBD pet treats.
Does CBD Oil Make Pets Feel "High?"
CBD isn't high-inducing, so it shouldn't provoke any psychoactive side effects. However, a few CBD pet treats contain ≤ 0.3 percent delta-9 THC. It's unlikely this amount of THC will get your Samoyed "stoned," but it could make dogs or cats feel slightly "dazed."
There's little empirical data on how THC affects a cat or dog's endocannabinoid system. Each pet breed may have different tolerance levels for THC, so there's a slight possibility they could feel this cannabinoid's effects.
If you're extra concerned about THC exposure, you should focus on CBD pet treats in the "isolate" or "broad-spectrum" categories. Only "full-spectrum" CBD oils could have ≤ 0.3 percent THC. All other CBD pet products should contain zero THC.
Is Human-Grade CBD Oil OK For Cats And Dogs?
Some human-grade CBD oils might be "OK" for pets, but they aren't the ideal choice. Plus, since pet-friendly CBD treats aren't all that hard to find, why not opt for a product specifically made for dogs or cats?
ften, human-grade CBD oils don't have the proper dosage for a pet's body structure. Since dogs and cats are smaller than adults, they don't need as much CBD to have a substantial effect.
Also, some CBD products for humans have ingredients that are big "no-no's" for furry friends. As an obvious example, you wouldn't want to feed dark chocolate CBD treats to your dogs or cats!
High-quality CBD products for pets should consider all of these dosage and safety features.
Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean every CBD product that says its "pet-friendly" will live up to its expectations. Please remember to scan the Certificates of Analysis associated with your CBD pet treats. Only work with hemp companies that offer transparent third-party lab screenings so you can see what's in your CBD products.
How Do People Feed CBD To Their Pets?
No matter how hungry your Huskies are, adding CBD to a pet's schedule can be a bit challenging. This is especially true if you're putting CBD oil under your pet's tongue.
Yes, taking CBD sublingually has the highest absorption rate, but it's darn near impossible to accomplish with most dogs (and forget about cats!). That's why most pet-owners have to resort to sneakier methods to add CBD to their pet's routine.
Arguably, the best way to give your dog a hemp tincture is to mix a dose of CBD in a peanut butter-covered cracker. Since peanut butter is naturally sticky, they should get some of that CBD under their tongue while enjoying this treat.
If this peanut butter trick isn't working out, you could add CBD oil to your pet's regular food mix or water bowl. Some people also use pet-friendly CBD edibles for a super-simple dosing strategy.
How Many CBD Pet Treats Are OK Per Day?
Currently, CBD dosage is more of an art than a science, especially with pets. It's difficult enough to set CBD doses for adults, but it's next to impossible to figure out how much CBD would be suitable for every dog or cat breed.
Most CBD pet treats have a recommended dosage guide, but you shouldn't rely too heavily on these numbers. Often, smaller pets do just fine with doses lower than the recommended amount, while others need double the dosage of CBD.
It's always best to start at the lowest possible dosage and monitor how your pet reacts to these treats. Keep in mind CBD edibles take at least 30 - 45 minutes to enter the bloodstream, so you must resist the urge to indulge your pets early on!
Be sure to keep a notepad nearby and write how much CBD you gave your pet each day. You could increase this total dosage by about 10 - 15 mg per day until you start to notice the intended effects.
Does CBD Interact With Other Pet Medications?
Doctors still don't understand the intricacies of how CBD affects prescription pills, but there seems to be a reaction. Taking CBD with other medications could provoke side effects or alter the effectiveness of pet prescriptions.
Therefore, if your pet is on any medications, you need to speak with a vet before trying CBD treats. Although we don't know everything about CBD and pet meds, a certified vet should have expert guidance on supplementation.
Unsure About CBD Pet Treats? Please Speak With Your Vet!
CBD has a lot of promise in the pet care industry. From soothing stress to reducing inflammation, CBD pet treats could work wonders for many common conditions.
However, it's important to remember that pet-approved CBD oils are relatively new. It may take years to learn the specifics of how to use CBD for dogs and cats. Until that time, it will take a bit of trial and error to find the right CBD brand and dosage for your pet's needs.
If you have specific concerns about using CBD for pets, it's always best to speak with a certified vet. Ideally, you should talk with a doctor who has previous experience using CBD supplements with dogs or cats. Also, please only use the highest-quality, lab-verified CBD products for your cats and dogs.
To find some of the best hemp CBD pet treats on the market, we'd recommend checking out YesKana's portfolio.
