CBD Therapy for your Pets
It’s Halloween, and your pets are hiding from the spooky sounds—relentlessly ringing doorbells and scary strangers in the front yard are not always ideal for our furry friends. How can you calm them down without locking them away in their crates until the next morning? Never fear: CBD for pets is here. With pet-friendly CBD tinctures available for flexible drop-by-drop dosing, Fido may never fear again. But, anxiety is just one of many conditions that may benefit from CBD therapy, read on to learn more about a few of the others and to see if it’s right for your furry family member.
Is CBD safe for my pet?
Cannabidiol or CBD for short is part of the cannabinoid family, a class of chemical compounds naturally found in the cannabis plant. But unlike its cousin delta-9-tetrahydrocannbinol or THC for short does not get you high.
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp and its derivatives because they contain far less THC; legally, hemp must have less than 0.3 percent THC (and while we’re here, know that Fire Leaf tests rigorously to ensure that its products meet this threshold). Giving your pet CBD is not only legal—it’s also completely safe, at the right dosage and with responsible use.
Once proved non-psychoactive, CBD was investigated for its anti-inflammatory capabilities.
Scientists found that it binds to endocannabinoid receptors to control inflammation, which manifests in several different ways in various parts of the body. Just like humans, dogs have endocannabinoid receptors—in fact, one study showed that dogs have more receptors than humans do, so CBD could be even more effective in limiting your pet’s pain. Fire Leaf’s pet oil is designed with pet-friendly ingredients made with only cold-pressed, raw, organic hempseed oil and pure organic CBD isolate, Restore for Dogs & Cats can be added to pet food or fed directly into the mouth.
How can CBD help my pet’s ailments?
Just like in humans, CBD interacts with the receptors of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) of your pet (all mammals have it), which modulates sleep, appetite, pain, immune system, and more. A few drops of CBD oil may be helpful in treating several of your pet’s symptoms related to separation and noise anxiety, arthritis, cancer, and seizures. A lot of research is currently underway, but early studies point to many medicinal benefits of CBD oil for cats and dogs alike. This study found that dogs showed a significant decrease in pain after use of CBD oil at just 2mg twice per day.
Anxiety: whether your pet’s fears come from separation, unfamiliar noises, unidentifiable objects, or new people, CBD can help ease the tension that anxiety brings. Though research is in its early stages regarding CBD for pets, many veterinarians recommend the oil based on its ability to act on human systems.
Trauma: if your pet is a rescue, it’s possible that trauma from a past life can trigger intense reactions and outbursts. CBD helps to calm rescue animals down, relaxing them into the safer parameters of everyday life and allowing them to function through more stressful situations.
Arthritis: joint inflammation in pets works similarly to joint inflammation in humans—as such, treatment via CBD works similarly too. CBD is known to combat synovial inflammation (inflammation of the fluid that reduces friction between joints), especially when it contains ajulemic acid, a common cannabinoid acid.
Cancer: pets are diagnosed with cancer at an unfortunately high rate: one in three dogs end up with the illness during their lifetime, and a comparable figure exists for cats. The pain and symptoms associated with cancer can be difficult for pets, but CBD can help restore comfort during the toughest stages of cancer. Though specifics are still in development, several personal owner’s accounts like this one have told of pets’ relief through CBD oil.
Epilepsy/seizures: epilepsy can be challenging for pets, especially when owners may be at work during seizures. But early research has shown indications that epilepsy can be treated with CBD oils—so much so that the American Kennel Club’s Canine Health Foundation has begun an intensive scientific study to investigate the ways CBD can relieve epilepsy in dogs. The cannabis sativa plant has shown anti-convulsant properties, so the CHF is hoping to see that property transferred to CBD. If their hypothesis proves correct, CBD oil could be the answer to reducing and even stopping seizures.
Dermatitis/allergies: since the ECS also regulates the gut, CBD oil is also capable of relieving symptoms that respond to food allergies and sensitivities. It triggers muscles and enzymes necessary to the digestive process to help break down foods properly. Not only does CBD catalyze digestion; it also alleviates skin reactions like dermatitis by activating receptors that regulate skin cell growth and moisture.
How do I give my pet the proper dose of CBD?
CBD pet care products come in many forms, including treats, oils and topical creams and balms.
For maximum flexibility in dosing, the AKC recommends that you provide your pet’s CBD oils in a liquid form like Fire Leaf’s Restore for Dogs & Cats. With a dropper, you can easily adjust the volume of liquid your pet ingests, rather than relying on a solid food item to be properly dosed. It is also the most pharmacokinetic too, meaning the body utilizes it most effectively in this form. You simply add the oil to their food or placed directly on the tongue. Many dogs will lick it right off the palm.
With CBD therapy, starting low and working upwards is recommended. Factors like weight, the ailment or condition being treated, and the type of CBD product given will help determine dosage for your pets. But with the drops, 1.5mg per 5 pounds of body weight is an ideal starting point. Every pet is different, so be sure to consult with your veterinarian for advice, as well as monitoring your pet’s behavior and adjusting dosage accordingly.
Though still in developmental stages regarding pets, research points to many medicinal benefits of CBD oil for cats and dogs alike. This study in particular found that dogs showed a significant decrease in pain after use of CBD oil, as assessed by a veterinarian. As research progresses, we’ll be able to chart more uses for CBD oil in pets and optimize its ability to relieve our beloved four-legged friends.