How CBD Can Improve Your Pet's Overall Wellness?
Updated: Oct 16, 2019
Our beloved companions can oftentimes suffer from the same maladies that affect our quality of life. Joint pain, digestive issues, skin and coat issues and anxiety are just as familiar to pets as they are to the owners themselves. CBD has been proven effective for humans and because our furry companions also have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) it can be just as effective in treating their disorders too. Therefore, many pet owners have turned to CBD to help their pets live happier and healthier lives. If you're looking to help your dog or cat but are unsure about CBD, here's some important information on its use, benefits and risks.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol or CBD is a phyto-cannabinoid found in hemp as well as in the marijuana plant. It is one of 80 cannabinoids found in marijuana, Dr. Tim Shu told PetMD.com. Most people are familiar with THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid responsible for the “high”. CBD on the other hand is non-psychoactive and non-habit forming. CBD works in conjunction with the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system to help achieve balance or homeostasis.
How Can My Pets Benefit from CBD Oil?
As previously stated, CBD offers a myriad of potential benefits to our pets. CBD can help improve mobility, works to calm anxiety, is an effective pain killer, in addition to being anti-nausea and a great natural anti-inflammatory, it can also help reduce the severity and frequency of seizures and helps alleviate skin and coat issues.
Scientific research into the medical benefits of CBD for pets are currently underway, and the results of those studies are eagerly awaited. The American Kennel Club (AKC) is currently sponsoring a study to gather hard data on the effectiveness of CBD. Although the research has just begun and is in its early stages, the AKC cites strong anecdotal evidence to the effectiveness of CBD for dogs.
Is CBD safe for your pets?
Pet owners should use their best judgment when considering administering CBD. The overwhelming anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD is completely safe to add to your pets’ diet. However, the long-term effects of CBD use in pets are unknown. We recommend speaking to a veterinarian but keep in mind that it is unlikely that a vet in your state is legally allowed to suggest CBD treatment to you unprompted. It is likely that your vet can only answer questions if directly asked, according to Consumer Reports. If you're considering a CBD treatment plan for your dog and have concerns about safety, ask your vet for advice at your next visit. They can give you their expert advice or refer you to another professional with more experience to help guide you to the safest and most effective possible treatment plan.
How to incorporate CBD into your Pet’s Diet
Incorporating CBD into your pet’s regimen is rather straight forward. CBD pet treats and CBD oil drops, called tinctures, are the most popular methods in the marketplace today. Treats usually contain 5mg -10mg of CBD and there are numerous options to choose from in terms of flavor and texture. Tinctures bottles are usually 1oz and have an eyedropper cap for dispensing. The bottles come in different strengths, but 500mg appears to be the most popular strength. The CBD is suspended in hemp seed oil or MCT oil. Using the eyedropper, the oil is fed directly in the mouth of your pet or mixed into their food. Dosage is determined by the size of your pet as well as the conditions being treated but starting low is recommended.
If you’re looking to improve your pets health and wellbeing, or perhaps they are suffering from a specific malady referenced above, then CBD could possibly be the solution you've been looking for. Fire Leaf Extracts has a line of high-quality CBD products designed to improve the health, wellness and quality of life of pet owners and their pets.