CBD Oil for Your Pet? 6 Reasons That Will Make You Say Yes

person Oksana Ostrovsky
calendar_today Aug 24, 2020

We all want the very best for our furry companions, and they deserve it. In the following guide, we’ll take a deep dive into the science behind using CBD oil for pets. By the end, you’ll understand all the facts you need to know to feel confident about treating your pet as well as they deserve.

We’ll have a quick discussion about the legality of CBD products for pets before moving on to a detailed exploration of the potential benefits. You’ll learn about what veterinarians are saying, what the major concerns are, and why consumers are currently giving pets CBD.

CBD oil for pets: Understand all the facts you need to know to feel confident about treating your pet as well as they deserve.

1. Are CBD Products for Pets Legal?
2. How Effective Are CBD Products for Pets?
3. Why Are Dog Owners Using CBD?
4. How Do Pets Benefit?
5. Do Veterinarians Approve?
5.1 The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
6. Why Buy Pet-Specific CBD Products?
6.1 THC Concerns
6.2 Dosing CBD for Dogs and Cats
6.3 Titration for Your Pet
7. Do Pet Owners Approve?
8. Final Thoughts on CBD for Pets

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1. Are CBD Products for Pets Legal?

Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp is now a legally cultivated plant as long as it contains under 0.3% THC by dry weight. The extraction of CBD from these hemp plants creates CBD oils and other products.

While hemp plants do not contain vast amounts of CBD, they do grow big and tall faster than just about any other plant. Through large-scale cultivation and extraction, these hemp plants can be used to create myriad products, including CBD extracts and concentrates.

The extraction of CBD from these hemp plants creates CBD oils and other products.

2. How Effective Are CBD Products for Pets?

From research, we know some interesting pharmacokinetics of CBD in dogs, which relates to the way the organism processes the substance. For example, we have seen an elimination half-life of just over four hours. This means that half the dose is processed in four hours, and this information can help determine how frequent dosing should occur. [1]

How Effective Are CBD Products for Pets?

WATCH: CBD for Your Pets!

The same study demonstrated that CBD has no observable side effects. On the plus side, the dogs appeared to experience a decrease in pain and an increase in activity with CBD oil. Finally, a dose of 2mg/kg of CBD twice daily increased comfort and activity in these dogs with osteoarthritis. [1]

Beyond osteoarthritis and pain, it has been noted that CBD is beneficial for epilepsy in animals, with potential for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. [2] (Click here to tweet)

The news isn’t all positive, as many conditions and situations have not yet been assessed by research. Furthermore, there are risks to companion animals, although these largely relate to CBD product quality and accuracy. [3]

These risks can be minimized by buying high-quality CBD products, such as our Liposomal CBD Oil for Dogs and Cats. Moreover, only buy CBD products that come with third-party laboratory results to indicate that you’re getting what you pay for.

As of now, there is less information regarding the long-term impacts of CBD on companion animals than humans. That said, there is no evidence of harm from long-term use; just an overall lack of research thus far. [2]

Based on human studies, tolerance development is possible in pets and should be considered by those giving CBD for long periods. Even pets may need a tolerance break or variations in dosing over time.

Tolerance development is possible in pets and should be considered by those giving CBD for long periods.

3. Why Are Dog Owners Using CBD?

Based on research, we have an understanding of the reasons more than 600 dog owners use CBD for their pets. For example, over 75% of respondents noted using CBD for an illness or conditions diagnosed by a veterinarian. (Click here to tweet)

Specifically, the most common conditions include: [4]

arthritis
anxiety
cancer
seizures

While using CBD for feline companions was less common, the reasons for use were largely similar. Furthermore, researchers suggested that studies on cats should explore: [4]

pain management,
improvement in sleep patterns, and
inflammation reduction.

Why Are Dog Owners Using CBD?

4. How Do Pets Benefit?

The primary benefits reported by numerous pet owners and supported by vets include improvements in mobility and anxiety. (Click here to tweet)

And just as with humans, physical issues are obvious while mental health concerns tend to be harder to identify.

Ever wonder why your dog is so happy you’re home after work? As far as they’re concerned, you could be gone forever each time you step out of the house. Being stuck at home may not be as enjoyable for these little pets as we may think.

CBD oil reportedly helps pets with anxiety.

Many owners tend not to realize that anxiety may be underlying problematic behavior, such as barking at every stranger. Our furry friends are so small compared to us and don’t understand everything the way we do. Can you really blame them for getting anxious with all these loud noises, bright lights, and constant stimulation inside and outside of the house?

If your pet isn’t very chill and appears to be constantly in a stressed state, CBD may help settle things down and reduce the suffering (and the problematic behaviors!).

If your pet isn’t very chill and appears to be constantly in a stressed state, CBD may help settle things down.

Mobility is a more obvious issue, pretty clearly seen as our pets move around. However, it can be more subtle, like dogs not wanting to go on walks, moving slowly with subtle limps, or even less playful activity.

Pet owners have reported visual improvements in pet mobility with CBD use. In fact, CBD may just add a little pep back into that pet that has slowed down. (Click here to tweet)

CBD may just add a little pep back into that pet that has slowed down.

5. Do Veterinarians Approve?

First, you should discuss the use of CBD with your veterinarian before using it on your pets. The primary reasons for this are that certain medications, medical conditions, or dog breeds may introduce complications. For example, toy breeds are said to be more sensitive to CBD products. [5]

One veterinarian discussed the fact that they run blood work before starting CBD for a dog or cat with follow-up tests to assess changes. This is a great topic to discuss with your vet. [5] (Click here to tweet)

Discuss the use of CBD with your veterinarian before using it on your pets.

5.1 The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is the leading advocate for the veterinary profession, representing more than 95,000 members. Regarding CBD, the AVMA enthusiastically wants to see well-controlled clinical research into cannabis-derived products to ensure safe and effective products for pets. [6]

As a safety note, it was mentioned that toxicity issues largely arise from exposure to edibles. These are often accidental and involve additional toxic ingredients like chocolate or raisins, which negatively impact the pet’s health. A couple of signs to look for are dribbling urine and staggering gait. [6]

The AVMA wants research to support confidence in the efficacy, quality, and safety of CBD products for pets.

Moreover, the AVMA wants research to support confidence in the efficacy, quality, and safety of CBD products for pets. They note promising potential in the treatment of osteoarthritis, epilepsy, pain management, and oncology. Finally, the largest concern with safety is related to the lack of FDA evaluation and approval of CBD products. [7]

6. Why Buy Pet-Specific CBD Products?

Do not use CBD products made for humans on your pets, as some ingredients that are safe for humans are toxic to pets. This includes certain CBD oils but is most often the case for infused edibles for humans with ingredients like chocolate. [5] (Click here to tweet)

Do not use CBD products made for humans on your pets.

Furthermore, CBD products made for pets have accurate dosing information. As pets vary in size, extra attention is needed to ensure that your pet gets the right dose. Since our pets cannot communicate with us, we have to exercise more caution with dosing. [5]

Pet CBD products will show the much-needed dosing information for your pet based on weight. As mentioned above, a conversation with your vet will help uncover issues that go beyond CBD dosing by pet weight.

A conversation with your vet will help uncover issues that go beyond CBD dosing by pet weight.

6.1 THC Concerns

The other concern is THC content, as this can lead to impairment in your pet. Stories abound of pet owners thinking something is wrong with a pet that accidentally consumed THC. The owner may think the pet is sick or had a stroke, but they are just baked.

What’s the Bottom Line?

With legal CBD products, the THC content will be under 0.3%. This information is essential to ensure that your pet doesn’t get an unwanted dose of THC. That said, it is worth noting that the vast majority of pets experience no ill effects from THC once they stop being so high.

With legal CBD pet products, the THC content will be under 0.3%.

6.2 Dosing CBD for Dogs and Cats

Always follow medical guidance provided by veterinarians when planning how much CBD to give your pet. The next place to look for information is from the CBD product provider themselves.

Based on anecdotal reports on dogs, typical ranges for dosing include 0.1–0.5mg/kg once or twice daily. More recently, research has shown that 2–2.5mg/kg of CBD twice daily appeared to be generally well-tolerated. Remember, the size of your pet matters. [8]

Follow medical guidance provided by veterinarians when planning how much CBD to give your pet.

Research has demonstrated that cats were able to tolerate doses of 2mg/kg of CBD relatively well. That said, cats appear to absorb or eliminate CBD differently than dogs, and more research is needed. The major adverse effects noted were excessive licking and head-shaking during CBD oil administration. [9]

It is worth highlighting that one of the major health risks for pets taking CBD is its potential interactions with other pharmaceuticals. If your pet is taking meds, do not start using CBD without talking with your veterinarian. CBD is known to interact with Cytochrome P450 enzymes, as do many medications. [8]

If your pet is taking meds, do not start using CBD without talking with your veterinarian.

6.3 Titration for Your Pet

A final note on dosing: animals cannot communicate with us through words (as you know!). And so one of the best things you can do to avoid potential side effects is slowly increasing the CBD dose you use over time.

Start off with far less than the optimal dose and increase to that level over several weeks. This is even more important for animals than for humans.

One of the best things you can do for your pet to avoid potential side effects is slowly increasing the CBD dose you use over time.

7. Do Pet Owners Approve?

Don’t just take our word for it; consider what pet owners are saying. In fact, after the FDA requested public input regarding the safety and efficacy of CBD, pet owners spoke up. While the FDA did not request pet-specific anecdotes or even mention pets in relation to CBD, Americans sure did. (Click here to tweet)

After the FDA requested public input regarding the safety and efficacy of CBD, pet owners spoke up.

This is crazy but amazing:

While the FDA did not mention pets, over 4% of over 4,000 comments received mentioned dogs. These pet owners described how CBD produced more dramatic benefits for their furry friends. Furthermore, they claimed that CBD works in different ways from standard pharmaceutical options, including demonstrating little to no serious side effects. [9]

With hundreds of pet owners feeling inclined to write to the FDA about the use of CBD for their pets, they must be onto something. For pet owners who have not yet tried CBD for your lovely little furry friend, check out what other owners are saying.

For pet owners who have not yet tried CBD for your lovely little furry friend, check out what other owners are saying.

8. Final Thoughts on CBD for Pets

As should be apparent by now, CBD offers plenty of potential benefits for pets. That said, there are also many uncertainties left to be explored. What we do know is that proper dosing and high-quality products are essential.

Don’t forget—it is strongly advised that you seek veterinary attention for your furry friend before administering CBD. This is especially important if your animal companion has medical conditions and pharmaceutical prescriptions.

In summary, helping your pet with pain, mobility, stress, or sleep issues may just be a few of the plethora of benefits from consuming CBD Oil. Pay special attention to dosing based on your pet’s size and health status. Ensure that you exercise extra patience when it comes to slowly increasing daily doses over several weeks to avoid potential side effects. [10]

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