CBD for Pets

If you are a pet owner, stop for a moment and think of all the things that you and your animal companion have shared over your time together. From forming your initial bond to deepening your relationship and the times you have spent together, you no doubt go through similar problems. Another thing you can both share is CBD as medicine.

Your pet's Endocannabinoid System

Just like us, almost all animals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that helps regulate their immune system, endocrine system, and nervous system. The ECS plays a critical role in keeping our pets bodies stable in areas such as appetite, sleep, mood, pain perception, stress, immunity, fertility, etc. When out of balance many conditions can occur leading to adverse side effects. Phytocannabinoids like CBD, CBG and CBN are produced by hemp plants and have been shown to balance our ECS similarly to endocannabinoids that our bodies naturally produce. Therefore CBD products can be used to get your pet mobile and wagging again. Studies suggest that dogs and cats have a higher concentration of ECS receptors compared to humans, so their ECS is more sensitive. This makes finding the right product and proper dosing key to your pets health.

How CBD can help with various conditions

A well-balanced Endocannabinoid System will encourage the ability to mitigate stress, depression, metabolic problems, inflammation, pain, and overall health. Using CBD can directly help with many conditions including separation anxiety, injury, arthritis, situational anxiety (travel or fireworks, etc), cancers, surgery, hyperactivity, excessive licking, allergies, nausea, etc. Recognizing the ailment and researching how CBD products could help is the first step in bringing your pet back to proper health.

Methods of consumption and types of products

There are many different methods of consumption for CBD products and it is important to think about which products might be best for your pet. Treats, Oils, Capsules, and Topicals are only a few of the many available CBD pet products on the market.

CBD Oil

CBD oil for pets is created the same way as CBD oils for humans; it is a CBD extract suspended in an oil carrier like coconut oil, hemp seed oil, salmon oil, avocado oil, etc. The type of extract and oil carrier can differ, so make sure to look through the product label to know what your pet will be taking. CBD oils come in different concentrations and are great for a variety of conditions from mild to severe because it is easy to control the dose with the dropper. CBD oils can be administered directly into your pets mouth or onto food or treats.

CBD Treats

CBD treats are definitely a pet favorite when it comes to CBD products. They come in many different forms: hard treats, soft treats, peanut butters, chicken, salmon, and more. Your pet is definitely going to find a favorite recipe. Depending on the amount of CBD, treats can be used as a daily supplement or aid to more extreme conditions in order to improve your pet’s wellness.

CBD Capsules

CBD Capsules can be great for any pet no matter what shape or size. They are a great flavorless option for picky eaters or just an easy way to add CBD to your pet’s current pill regiment. Capsules can be taken directly by mouth, added to foods, hidden in treats, etc. There are a variety of concentrations, so capsules are perfect for almost any condition and provide an easy pre-dosed method that will require little to no extra work into your pet’s daily routine.

CBD Topicals

There are CBD topicals available for pets as well. Topicals get absorbed directly into the skin and surrounding areas. They come in a variety of different formulations and can be great for skin issues, muscle and joint pain, or cracked paws.

Every pet is different. The best way to figure out what CBD product is optimal is to start off slow and try out different methods. Dosing will be key to this as well but you need to find a product they like and will want to take consistently.

What's the right dose for your pet?

The right CBD dosing for your pet can vary depending on the weight and condition. The general recommended dosing for pets is 5mg for every 20lbs for mild conditions and up to 10mg for every 20lbs for more extreme conditions. It is best to start off low and slowly increase your pet’s dosage in order to find what amount is most effective for them.

How often should my pet take CBD?

CBD can be used as needed for some instances or consistently for more long term conditions. For chronic conditions it is best to give them CBD consistently once or twice a day. For more mild or short-lasting conditions, CBD can be taken as needed; a couple hours before an event with fireworks, a plane or car ride, going out of town, prior to and after surgery, etc.

Finding a safe product

When buying a CBD product, you are going to want to make sure you are getting the best of the best for your pet. Not all pet products are created equal. Since CBD is still not approved by the FDA, it is still an unregulated product. Companies are self-regulating which can leave products and product labels inconsistent and confusing. You need to find a company you trust by doing some research on their products, their mission, and third party testing.

When reading a product and doing research it is important that everything is clear and easy to find. The packaging must clearly state what type of product it is, how many milligrams of CBD is in it, contains an easily accessible lab report, an explicit dosing guide and has approved ingredients. For more information on how to read CBD Labels please visit our blog post here