The CBD wellness trend has been catching on like wildfire. If you do not use CBD yourself, then chances are high that you know of a friend or relative who does. After experiencing the beneficial properties, people have also taken to using infused products on their pets.
Pet CBD oil in various stores, both online and in physical locations, has been selling out by bucket loads. Regardless of the hype that continues to grow, some reluctant people are yet to start using the products. Their main concern is how safe these products are for use by their pets. In this review, we aim to address most of those concerns.
How CBD Oil Affects Pets
You may have seen several reviews detailing how CBD affects humans by now. The interaction between cannabidiol and the human body has been a source of numerous research. What about its effect on dogs, cats, and other animals?
It may shock you, but pets, like humans, have an endocannabinoid system. The CB1 and CB2 receptors that interact with CBD and THC in humans are present in animals’ Central and Peripheral Nervous systems. Take a dog, for instance. Its CB2 receptors influence the brain, the skin, the liver, the spleen, the bones, and the immune system.
CBD interacts with CB2 receptors resulting in feelings of relaxation and pain relief. These effects are due to their anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Due to the product’s effectiveness, there are speculations that the infused oils can prove helpful in dealing with a range of medical conditions.
The use of pet relief CBD oil for animals suffering from arthritis, cancer, anxiety, seizures, and pain is common. Pet owners report that the oil helps their pets when prone to stress, anxiety or even when they experience appetite problems. It is also important to note that veterinarians in the US cannot prescribe CBD for pets. They can advise on possible side effects and treatments in case your pets get any adverse side effects.
Dosage of CBD for Pets
The availability of CBD for pets is growing. These days, if you want a CBD oil pet, all you need to do is type in pet CBD oil near me, and several stores will come up in your vicinity. Though these results will give you a variety of products, what they will not tell you is what doses to give your pet.
Pets are similar to people in that they have different tolerance levels. What works for one animal may not work for another. There is a need to ensure that your cat or dog gets the right dosage to prevent negative side effects.
In determining dosage, there are three main things to note: your animal’s weight, the potency of the CBD oil, and your animal’s tolerance level. The weight is the main determinant, as the recommended dose is 1-5mg per 10 pounds of your pet. If your pet weighs 30 pounds, then the maximum amount it can take is 15mg, and the minimum is 3mg.
On the potency, the weight influences the product you buy. With the oil you purchase, the potency is for the whole volume. If it is 60mg for a 30ml bottle, then a single drop is 2mg. Lastly, you can take note of your pets’ tolerance levels from how they react to the CBD oils you offer them.
To be on the safe side, consider starting with low levels of CBD. As time progresses, you can continue adding the potency until you determine what suits the pet best.
Possible Side Effects of CBD on Pets
The application of CBD oils to animals seems safe. Scientifically there have been records of high Alkaline Phosphate (ALP). ALP is indicative of high liver value, which sometimes means liver damage. In dogs, scientists are unsure whether this means liver damage or an artificial finding on how CBD affects the lab measures.
All scientists and users agree that the main side effects stem from overdosing on the infused oil. When taken in large amounts, it is common to note that your animal becomes sleepy and sluggish. Some animals can even start vomiting and suffer diarrhea.
Whenever this happens, the best thing to do is feed your pet a lot of fluids. Water is preferable. After a few hours, your dog or cat will return to normal. In some cases, the symptoms persist past a couple of hours. To be safe, you can take the animal to a veterinarian. They will prescribe appropriate medications and may also go ahead to advise you on dosage.
Another important aspect to note is that some animals may be allergic to some additives in CBD oils. The best way to go about this is to review the contents of each product keenly. You can choose another if your pet is allergic to anything on the product. The beauty of these products is that they exist in a wide variety.
How to Choose the Best CBD Products
Now that getting infused oils is as easy as searching for pet CBD oil near me, it is up to you to be cautious about the product you buy. Every manufacturer attests to their products being the very best in the market. This tactic is a marketing strategy aiming at attracting as many customers as possible.
One can use some tactics to navigate the world of flattery in marketing strategies. Consider the following top factors when choosing a CBD oil brand for your beloved animal.
Organic Products are the Best
The main reason why organic CBD oil is better is because of the possibility of harmful additives. With inorganically grown hemp, the oils are likely to contain pesticides and other products that may be harmful to your pets. Companies that use organic hemp state this on their labels.
Cheap is Expensive
One of the ways of determining quality is through the price. High-quality products are often expensive. Low-quality products, on the other hand, are cheaper. The downside comes from containing substances that may harm your dogs and cats. It is always better to go for the expensive and safer brands.
Brand Analysis and Review
When buying pet products, ensure they have a certificate of analysis (COA) of their oils. These COAs contain a detailed analysis of all the cannabinoids in the oil. For the broad spectrum, the ones mainly contain only CBD. Also, the reviews of other users tell how effective the products are. If the reviews are poor and do not have a COA, then it would be better to steer away from such oils and tinctures.
Veterinary Consultations
Though the FDA does not allow vets to prescribe CBD products for pets, some veterinarians are knowledgeable about the concept. They know the right potency for your pets and the best products on the market. Before delving into CBD oils for your animals, you can consult a vet and get as much information as you need.
Full Spectrum Varieties are Better
In this case, the full spectrum does not mean THC-rich CBD oil. For pets, full-spectrum means that the product contains a variety of terpenes, cannabinoids, and other elements. Though THC is harmful to your animals, other cannabinoids may be beneficial. Full-spectrum CBD oils prove to be more effective than other types.
Go for CO2 Extracted CBD Oil
There are two main ways of extracting CBD from hemp and marijuana: CO2 and solvent extraction. Between the two, it is better to go with CO2-extracted CBD. This choice is because the solvent-extracted version contains trace amounts of butane, propane, or any other solvent. CO2 extraction provides a safer and pure product for your animals.
Conclusion
So far, the FDA remains quiet on CBD oil usage in pets. They are yet to publicize a dosage chart which may confuse common users who want to introduce the oils to their animals. Regardless of the same, these oils and tinctures are relatively safe for use with cats, dogs, and other animals. The only catch is with the dosage. If you want to ensure your pet’s safety, consider giving it the right dose. Overdosing can lead to negative effects.