CBD Oil for Pets: Man’s Chillest Friend

We’ve been sharing a lot of information on the benefits of CBD in humans, but what about man’s best friends… pets. Is there a CBD oil for pets that would help my dog or cat?

The answer is yes. Dogs, cats, and other animals are able to benefit from CBD for pets. Similar to the human experience, CBD for pets can reduce anxiety, inflammation, and various forms of pain. It is also being studied and researched carefully for seizures and more!

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is an all-natural compound called a cannabinoid found in cannabis plants. It is found in both marijuana and hemp in varying quantities. It’s important to understand the difference between hemp-derived CBD and marijuana-derived CBD.

Hemp contains high levels of CBD and low levels of THC, so it will not get your pet high. Marijuana contains low levels of CBD and high levels of THC, thus products derived from marijuana will get your pet high.

How CBD Oil for Pets Works

Dogs, cats, birds, horses and many other animals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) like humans. The ECS is what allows humans, as well as animals, the ability to process cannabinoid compounds like CBD and THC.

As we know, THC is the compound that causes a “high feeling.” This happens when THC interacts with our cannabinoid receptors in the ECS. When CBD is administered, your dog’s ECS will seek out stressed receptor points and help bring them back to homeostasis (balance).

When our cannabinoid receptors are stressed, we are deficient in cannabinoids. This is similar to having low energy when we are deficient in B vitamins. When we are deficient in cannabinoids, we can experience many symptoms such as anxiety, trouble sleeping, various forms of pain, brain or mental fog, and more.

When our pets are deficient in cannabinoids they also experience side effects or “dis-eases” in the body. Let’s take a look at what a cannabinoid deficiency in pets can lead to.

Anxiety

Believe it or not, pets can experience anxiety and nervousness in the same way as humans. Weather events, like thunderstorms, separation from their owner, travel (typically airplane or train), and fireworks can trigger anxiety in even the most stable animals.

Studies have shown CBD oil may help with anxiousness which provides welcome relief for dogs and cats (and their owners); allowing them to remain calm and relaxed through periods of anxiety-producing stress.

Hot Spots / Itching

Ever have a pet that is constantly itching and scratching even to the point of injury? Often times dry skin, seasonal or food allergies will cause pets to become uncomfortable and itch uncontrollably. CBD supports a calm mindset, reducing the urge to “naw the paw”. The best CBD oil for dogs contains carrier oils which are chock full of healthy fats to support and rebuild a healthy skin and coat.

Hip / Joint Pain and Arthritis

Playing fetch with Fido or flying a feather with Frisky is great exercise and good fun. Playing with our pets strengthens the human-canine bond and gives your animal a sense of fulfillment. All the fun and games can create sore muscles, fatigue, joint pain, and arthritis – specifically in older dogs. Certain breeds are also more susceptible to these conditions.

Like humans, dogs also benefit from quality rest and recovery. Promoting that recovery with cannabidiol could reduce soreness caused by inflammation and lubricate achy and stiff joints.

Epilepsy

A seizure is a serious disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed. They are very scary to witness – often occurring without identifiable symptoms and can occur for a variety of reasons. Epilepsy is a condition where seizures become reoccurring.

Existing treatments for epileptic dogs include a lifetime of prescription medication which can cause serious side effects. We aren’t veterinarians, but there are major trials evaluating the efficacy of CBD in dogs with epilepsy – check the link!

Other Benefits of CBD Oil for Pets

Other common ailments in animals that may be positively influenced by CBD include

• Excessive barking
• Lack of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Vet, groomer, or dentist induced anxiety
• Muscle spasms
• Aggression
• Lack of energy or general lethargy
• Excessive digging and rolling

How to Use CBD Oil for Dogs

CBD oil for dogs is simple and easy to use. The serving size is based on your dog’s weight and can simply be mixed into their food. Weights and serving sizes are roughly as follows, but definitely read the directions on the product you buy, as serving size will vary by the container size, and CBD content.

<25lbs – 5 drops

26-50lbs – 10 drops

>50 lbs – 15 drops

Understand these servings are merely a starting point. If you give your dog the suggested serving size above for 2 weeks and do not notice a positive change, double the serving size for week 2 and repeat until you find their sweet spot.

Conversely, if your dog seems too sleepy or lethargic when giving the suggested serving size, try cutting it in half and measure results from there.

At Third Coast Health, we love to chat all things CBD. Shoot us an email @ websupport@thirdcoasthealth.com if there is anything else you’d like to know about CBD for pets or leave us a comment below!