We love to share food with our pets, and we love to see them happy and healthy. But what about sharing our CBD? While humans shouldn’t share the CBD they take, there is CBD for pets so that you can share your CBD experience with your furry pal. But what CBD for pets is right for your cat or dog, and how does it work?
How does CBD for pets work?
Unlike CBD that you use, CBD for pets uses lower dosages designed for smaller bodies. The CBD used for pets is still composed of cannabidiol, a chemical compound from the hemp plant. Just like it can be for humans, CBD can be a great addition to your pet's health and wellness regimen.
How can your pet benefit from CBD?
You can use CBD for pets for any of the same reasons that you use it for yourself. While there are currently limited studies on the beneficial effects of CBD for our four-legged companions, many pet owners have found it to be a beneficial supplement for their pet's general wellness and happiness. CBD has an effect on serotonin in humans, which regulates happiness, mood, and anxiety levels. Changes in serotonin can affect these common issues.
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Arthritis
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Joint pain and inflammation
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Generalized anxiety and stress
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Situational anxiety
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Separation anxiety
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Chronic pain
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Immune problems
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Skin allergies
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Gastrointestinal (GI) tract issues
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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
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Pancreatitis
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Tumor and cancer pain relief
Whether you have a senior dog that can’t keep up on a walk or a senior cat that can’t jump due to arthritis, your pet may benefit from more serotonin. This includes if your pet has had joint problems, depression, inactivity due to chronic pain, or they tear up objects in the house because they can’t stand being alone with their separation anxiety. CBD for pets is a great addition to their nutritious meals.
Types of CBD for your pet
CBD Tinctures
You can use tinctures and CBD-infused treats to give to your pet. CBD comes in hemp oil tinctures and liposome hemp oil tinctures, which contain organic CBD oil that can easily mix in with pet food. It can come with other fish oils to appeal to your pet’s palette. Full-spectrum CBD oils contain other cannabinoids from the hemp plant that can help aid CBD in absorption.
CBD Creams
An easier option to use CBD for pets includes using CBD topicals and CBD creams. CBD creams can be used for skin conditions and can be applied directly to the area of centralized pain. Just put the CBD topicals or CBD cream on your hand and pet your pup or kitty. Gently brush your pet first before applying any lotion or creams to avoid excess fur sticking to your hands.
Edible CBD Treats
There are plenty of mouth-watering flavors out there for your pup, kitty, or small mammal friend. Treats come in the form of chews, peanut butter, and on-the-go bars. You may find that your fur baby is a picky eater when CBD oil is added to their food. CBD snacks are similar to treats, and you can give them to your pet as a reward. Giving CBD to your pet once a day at the same time of day will give them something to look forward to.
How to give CBD to your pet
When you give your pet CBD, you’ll want to give them low doses at first, and gradually increase it if needed. Typically, you want to start with 1-5 mg per 10 pounds and work your way up to larger amounts. You can use less CBD oil if they are in generally good health, and more CBD if they are in worse health.
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If you have a 10-pound cat, start with 0.5 mg or 1 mg.
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If you have a 100-pound dog, start with 10 mg.
It may take 2-4 weeks to see a difference in their behavior after you give CBD to your pet. Avoid changing the doses before this, or giving your pet more than what’s recommended. Pets won’t overdose on CBD, but they could have diarrhea and other unnecessary side effects. If your pet seems lethargic or sleepy after taking CBD, they may become too relaxed. If this happens, you can lower their dosage.
What should I look for when buying CBD for pets online?
When looking for CBD online, you’ll want to make sure the product has a low amount of THC (around 0.1%) or to be safer, THC-free. You’ll also want to ensure that the product was tested by a third party and that the product doesn’t list any harmful additives in the Certificate of Analysis (COA). That’s where you can see the contents of the CBD, including if it contains CBD at all. Some companies and marketplaces have incorrect information listed on the labels of CBD for pets, which is why it is important to look at the COA report first.
Before you add CBD to your pet's daily regimen, it’s important to visit the vet and ensure that CBD is a good choice for your pet. If your pet has had any behavioral changes, it can be due to illness or environmental stressors. Going to the vet beforehand will help rule out pre-existing conditions. Once your vet has given the go ahead, there are plenty of THC-free options available for your pup or kitty to try.
Summary
CBD for pets is safe for pets, and you’re able to control their dosages with a dropper from a tincture. Once you have found the perfect dosage for your pet, which you’ll be able to tell by their energy levels and activity, then you can move on to edible CBD treats that contain around the same dosage for on-the-go situations. If you give your pet too much too soon, they can experience discomfort.