As the CBD industry continues to grow the one area that is experiencing perhaps the biggest growth is CBD products for pets. This article will attempt to be a CBD for pets’ guide to help you know how the products work and answer what might be best for your dog or cat. We know that dogs and cats can consume CBD just like us and that their bodies process it in practically an identical manner. Therefore, unsurprisingly, the CBD pet market is booming.
But what is CBD for pets? What makes CBD pet products different than those made for humans? How do you start your pet on a daily CBD regimen? These are some of the most common questions we see at CBD Supply Maryland and will help walk you through CBD for your pets in this article.
What is CBD For Pets?
CBD or cannabidiol as it known, is one of over 100 cannabinoids found inside of the hemp plant. Cannabinoids are a part of the hemp plant that closely resemble things called endocannabinoids that humans and pets’ bodies naturally produce. Endocannabinoids work inside of a pet or human’s endocannabinoid system, which is a complex network of receptors located throughout the body. These receptors are in areas such as the brain, bones, skin, digestive tract, and more.
Endocannabinoid receptors help regulate crucial bodily processes, such as mood, temperature, inflammation levels, pain, and so much more. If the body struggles to produce enough cannabinoids, any number of these bodily processes could potentially be negatively affected.
Consuming phytocannabinoids (cannabinoids originating in plants) could potentially give the endocannabinoid system an additional boost. CBD is just one of the many phytocannabinoids naturally produced by the hemp plant. Hemp is additionally saturated with terpenes, which may have other applications.
In general, this CBD for pets guide will show that CBD helps pets like it does people. It can help with pain, inflammation, anxiety, digestive issues, and more. It does this by interacting with a pet’s endocannabinoid system to create relief.
Types of CBD Pet Products
This CBD pet products guide will look at the range of products on the market to help you understand what may be best for your dog or cat. Each product type has different benefits and uses that may be more appropriate for different pets or for different conditions.
Treats
CBD treats for dogs or cats are a common way for a pet to experience CBD. There are several benefits to taking CBD in a treat form. The first is that it guarantees an exact dose of CBD each time since each treat has a predetermined amount of CBD in it. Another benefit to taking CBD in a treat form is that the treats are often flavored in a way that make it enjoyable for your pet. There is turkey or beef flavored products for dogs. Cat CBD treats may come in flavor such as salmon or chicken that your cat will be likely to enjoy. In addition, there are CBD infused edibles for pets like CBD peanut butter. We haven’t encountered a dog yet that won’t take CBD in peanut butter.
The treats are also often enhanced with other natural ingredients to provide additional benefits. The treat for your dog or cat may have natural elements to help joint pain like glucosamine or it may have a calming agent like lavender in the product as well. When a pet consumes a treat, it is like taking other medicine in that it must work its way through the digestive system to be uploaded into the body. It can take about an hour or more for the CBD to have an effect because it must be processed through the stomach and liver.
CBD Oil
Pets can take CBD in an oil form just like people. A CBD oil or tincture can be a highly effective way for a dog or cat to take CBD. If your pet will allow you to give him or her CBD orally you can simply place some drops in their mouth in this way. If your pet won’t tolerate CBD given orally you can always place some drops on their food. Many oils are flavored in a way that pets will like. For instance, dog CBD oil may have a beef flavor, while cat CBD oil will often be flavored with fish oil to create a flavor that cats love.
CBD oil for pets comes in a standard medicine bottle. It has an eye dropper that allows you to measure out an exact amount of CBD per dose. This can be an effective way to guarantee your pet is getting a consistent amount of CBD. CBD oil can be a particularly effective way to give CBD to larger pets as the oils can have higher milligram strengths, which may be necessary for larger breeds to get enough CBD. Like a treat the CBD takes about an hour to have an effect this way inside of your pet’s body.
Topical Rub
Pets can enjoy the benefits of CBD in a topical form just like humans. A CBD topical product is applied directly to your dog or cat’s body. A CBD topical rub can be used for several reasons. One common reason to use a topical product is a skin condition your pet is experiencing. Since CBD has anti-inflammatory properties it can be helpful with conditions that cause irritation to the skin like psoriasis. In addition, you can apply CBD topically to help with joint or muscle pain and inflammation.
CBD Products For Pets
Most vets will agree that you should not give your dog or cat an intoxicating amount of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. There are plenty of reasons why you should not give your pet a product with THC in it.
First, dogs and cats do get high, but they experience the effects differently and more intensely than humans. In other words, a dog or cat on weed is no laughing matter and is in a high state of distress. If a pet has consumed marijuana, you may observe the following signs:
- Dribbling urine
- Walking like they are drunk (or high)
- Beginning to fall over while standing still
- Low heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Wide, dilated pupils
- Easily startled by sudden sounds
Hemp-based CBD products do not have THC, which means that they will not give your pet a high and they are safe for dogs and cats to consume.
Pet-Friendly Ingredients
Any legitimate CBD pet guide will always tell you to read the list of ingredients on the back of a CBD product. For one thing, you want to make sure all parts are pet-friendly and non-toxic to cats and dogs. You also want to make sure that, if your pet has any sensitivities or allergies, you avoid those ingredients altogether. A CBD pet company should always clearly print their list of ingredients on the product’s label. If you have further questions, you can always contact the company yourself.
Proper Milligram Strength
The key to having a successful CBD experience is choosing the right potency. The milligram strength refers to the amount of CBD within the product by the milligram. Pets naturally need lower amounts of CBD than we do because most of their bodies are smaller than ours. But exactly how many milligrams is right for them?
Any legitimate CBD pet company will state on the label which milligram strength is right for body weights. This is because a pet’s weight largely determines how many milligrams of CBD should be consumed each day for the best possible results. Again, if necessary, you can always contact the company if you are still unsure.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know what you are looking for after reading this CBD for pets guide, there are a few other things to remember. Just like if you were buying a health product for yourself, you probably would not simply go to any old store for medicine. The same applies to CBD for pets. You often get a better quality and stronger product for pets at a store that specializes in CBD than just going to any pet store. And, when you are going to a store for CBD it is often useful to look at the reputation of the store. Google and other review sites can be a helpful place to see what kind of rating the store has and what other people are saying. Just like for yourself, you should strive for the highest quality products for your pet as well.
