Is CBD pet friendly?

CBD has been gaining a lot of traction in the last few years. Anecdotally, there isn’t much this popular cannabinoid can’t tackle. From mood, to appetite to skin conditions, CBD seems to have all the answers. While this seems to be true for humans, does the buck stop there? Is CBD pet friendly?

What is CBD?

First things first, let’s talk a bit about what CBD is so you can make the best choices for your furry friends. You’re probably wondering what exactly is CBD. It’s true, it is derived from from hemp plants, but hemp is not the same as marijuana. The active cannabinoid in hemp is called CBD and unlike THC, it has no intoxicating effects. Don’t worry, you will not end up with a stoner pooch with a bad case of the munchies. While CBD does not cause the same type of reactions as its molecular sibling, it does have many arguably popular effects to several systems in the body, including the brain, skin, heart, eyes, stomach – and even mood.  Which is why it can have some far reaching and positive effects for your pets. So, Is CBD pet friendly?

How does it work?

So now you’re wondering, what makes mammals so special, besides the obvious? Well, in short it’s because we all have an endocannabinoid system. This unique communication system in the brain and body is made up of three components: receptors, endocannabinoids, and enzymes. Endocannabinoids are chemicals that occur naturally in the body. These are produced on demand to bind to the receptors, especially in times of stress, disease or injury.

Phytocannabinoids, like CBD, are produced by plants. They also bind to to the cannabinoid receptors, just like endocannabinoids. When a cannabinoid binds with a receptor it can help restore balance or homeostasis to the body. Noticeable affects may also occur to the immune and central nervous systems. While humans, dogs and cats all have an edocannabinoid system, dogs have the largest concentration of CB1 receptors in the brain compared to any other species studied so far. What this could mean for your doggo is that CBD may have even more effects than it does for humans.

What does it do?

Well, humans throughout time have used the herb to lessen the symptoms of glaucoma, as a sleep aid, and to stimulate appetite. Scientists are trying to figure out the full scope of how dogs might also be affected because CBD seems to impact us in similar ways. For dogs, what common users have noted so far is that CBD has shown correlations in reducing nervousness, seizures, and improve some skin conditions. CBD also has properties shown to decrease joint pain for your older pets suffering from arthritis. These effects and symptoms of use have yet to be verified by the FDA.

How do I know if CBD is right for my pet?

When it comes to CBD and your pet, the options are pretty vast, from delivery method to dosage; so how are you supposed to know what will work for your furry companion? Only you really know your pet so if you’re thinking about giving it a try – DO YOUR RESEARCH. Then, talk to your vet or holistic animal specialist. They can talk you through your options, any concerns you may have and products they might recommend. After all that, you’ll just have to try some products. Not all CBD products are created equal and not all pets will react the same way.

How do I decide which product will be best?

There are so many products available on the market and trying to pick just one might seem overwhelming. Here are somethings to consider that may make deciding a bit less daunting. If you aren’t certain how much to give your pet, try starting them out on a tincture with a measured dropper and low dosage. They often come in flavors your pooch will love, making dosing fairly easy and adjustments a snap to monitor. If you’re not sure how that will go over, tinctures are usually available in spray form as well. Use the mister to dose your pets water dish or food and they will be none the wiser.

However, determining just how much CBD your furry friend is getting is harder to monitor with this method. Many brands also offer CBD in treat form, making dosing the easiest of all. This might be an especially good option if your lil pooch is picky. Whatever delivery method you decide, a general rule of thumb is to start with a small dosage. Monitor the result and gradually increase, if necessary, until the desired effects are achieved.