Is CBD Oil Safe for Dogs and Cats?
Did you know there is CBD oil for dogs, and CBD for cats as well? If you’re not familiar with giving CBD to your pets, you probably have a lot of questions. Is CBD safe for pets? Will it cause my pet to get high? How much CBD can I give my dog? Do I need a special brand of CBD for cats? We have the answers you’re looking for.
CBD oil is a very popular remedy for all kinds of ailments in humans, but many people don’t know that can also be very beneficial for pets, too! Cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to alleviate nausea, anxiety, insomnia, and pain in both humans and our furry friends as well. To learn all about the benefits of CBD for dogs and cats, and to get answers to those questions above, keep reading.
What is CBD?
As a quick refresher, Cannabidiol (CBD for short) is a natural cannabinoid derived from cannabis plants like hemp.
Cannabinoids are chemicals that can help balance your endocannabinoid system (ECS) when ingested. The endocannabinoid system is one of the many natural systems found in your body, and a few of its roles are to regulate things like appetite, mood, sleep, pain response, and more. When CBD is taken, it can help balance the ECS to help promote sleep, improve mood, and reduce pain.
Although CBD is usually taken by humans, preliminary studies have found that it can also be very beneficial for pets as well.
Will CBD cause my pet to get high?
One of the biggest concerns pet owners have about CBD is whether it will cause their pet to experience a head or body high. You can rest assured in knowing that CBD is completely non-psychoactive, so it will not get your dog or cat high.
Although CBD is derived from cannabis, and other cannabinoids like THC can cause psychoactive effects, CBD does not. As we discussed earlier, CBD is an all-natural compound that is often extracted from hemp plants. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, so it is unable to cause a “high” sensation.
THC, on the other hand, is a cannabinoid that can cause psychoactive effects for both humans and animals. This is why it is important to only give your pet CBD oil that contains no THC.
Note that to be sold legally in the U.S., CBD products must have no more than 0.3 percent THC. However, some companies are not honest about their ingredients and the concentration of THC found in their products, so it’s crucial to only purchase CBD oil for dogs or cats from a reputable company.
What type of CBD oil should I give my pet?
If you’re looking for CBD oil for cats or dogs, there are plenty of oils on the market to choose from. Some companies offer specific types of CBD for pets. However, that’s not always necessary, and you usually pay a higher price for the same CBD oil that you can get for yourself.
As long as the oil is all-natural and doesn’t contain THC, it is perfectly safe to give to your pet. For example, our Wellness Garden Medicinals Sublingual Tinctures are completely pet-safe!
Benefits of CBD Oil for Cats and Dogs
More research needs to be done before we know more about how CBD helps our pets, but there is some early research that suggests CBD can provide a variety of benefits. Many people report that giving CBD to their dog or cat can help their pet manage certain ailments. In fact, dog owners have suggested that CBD has reduced pain, decreased anxiety, and even helped to control seizures in their furry best friend.
Anxiety Reduction
One of the biggest reasons people like to give their pet CBD oil is to help reduce anxiety. Lots of pets suffer from some type of anxiety, whether they get stressed from loud noises like fireworks or thunderstorms, or they have separation anxiety. If your cat or dog is especially anxious, CBD may help them to feel more relaxed and at ease.
Although many studies have been completed on anxiety and CBD, there is not a lot of research that has been done specifically on dogs or cats yet. However, many pet owners have reported that CBD works great in reducing the anxiety their pets experience.
Whether you simply give your dog or cat CBD before fireworks start going off on the 4th of July, or you give them CBD more frequently to manage their daily anxiety, it may help your pet feel calmer. Plus, the relaxing effects may even aid your cat or dog in getting better sleep at night, too!
Pain Relief
CBD is known to have potent anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce pain in both humans and pets. The anti-inflammatory aspect can be very helpful for dogs or cats who suffer from arthritis and other forms of chronic pain.
This 2015 study done on arthritic mice found that there was a significant decrease in the pain and inflammation that the mice experienced.
CBD has the potential to help your pet feel more comfortable when paired with their regular pain medications. Plus, CBD is not known for having significant side effects. This can make it a good all-natural treatment option to look into.
Nausea Relief
If your pet often has an upset stomach or lack of appetite, CBD may help. Cannabidiol has anti-nausea properties and it may help regulate appetite as well. However, keep in mind that a pet who vomits often or goes without eating for a couple of days needs veterinary attention.
Seizure Relief
CBD is currently used in a human medication called Epidiolex to treat epileptic seizures. Many believe that CBD could also be a good treatment for dogs suffering from epilepsy. The AKC Canine Health Foundation (AKCCHF) announced recently that it is sponsoring a large study to learn more about how CBD may be able to help dogs with seizures.
Many pet owners claim that administering CBD to their dog daily helps to manage the seizures their dog experiences. Speak with your pet’s veterinarian to see if CBD could be a good option.
CBD Dosage for Dogs and Cats
If you’re wondering, “how much CBD oil should I give my dog?” you should note that the amount varies based on a few factors. The right dosage for your dog depends on his or her weight, and the ailment you are hoping to treat. Ultimately, it’s best to speak with your pet's veterinarian about the amount they recommend.
A good rule of thumb to start with is 1-3mg of CBD per 10lbs. So for example, if your dog weighs 40lbs you may want to start with anywhere between 4mg - 12mg each day.
For example, with our Wellness Garden Medicinals CBD 300MG Tincture, ½ of a dropper is 1mL (10mg of CBD). So, you may want to start with ¼ to ½ of a dropper’s worth of CBD per day.
Helpful tip: If your pet doesn’t like the taste of the oil on its own, try adding it to some peanut butte, their favorite treat, or their food.
Speak to Your Pet’s Veterinarian First
As a pet owner, you want what’s best for your dog or cat. CBD may be a great option to help treat their pain, anxiety, or other ailments. However, it’s still very important to speak with your veterinarian before trying out new treatment options. While CBD is not known to have many side effects, it can negatively interact with certain prescription medications, so it’s important to ask a vet if CBD could work for your dog or cat first. It’s also crucial that you only purchase quality CBD oil that is pet-safe, all-natural, lab-tested, and that contains no THC.
Many pet owners swear by giving CBD to their dog or cat. If you’re interested in helping make your pet more comfortable with an all-natural supplement, CBD may be a good option to consider.
