CBD Oil for Your Pets: What Is It and What Does It Do?

cbd oil for your pets

Pets are an important part of any family. If your cat or dog is constantly anxious or even dealing with discomfort, it’s normal for you to want to find ways to put them at ease. Have you considered using CBD oil to help your pet get some relief? 

CBD oil is a product that has been gaining popularity in the U.S. these days as many people are now turning towards natural products instead of harsh pharmaceuticals to treat their pets.

Basically, CBD oil is a natural substance that comes from hemp. Hemp is a type of plant that was grown as a part of the cannabis family for thousands of years and has been used to produce oil for its medicinal properties. Oftentimes, people refer to the CBD oil extracted from hemp as “hemp oil” or “CBD hemp oil” but you may also see it called “cannabis oil.”

Benefits of giving your pet CBD oil

There are several benefits of giving your pet CBD oil. First, it can help reduce the discomfort that your pet may be experiencing by relieving pain throughout its body. For instance, CBD oil has been proven to help pets with arthritis, anxiety, and inflammation.

CBD oil is also an effective treatment for seizures in pets. In fact, research has shown that it can help decrease the frequency of seizures in animals with epilepsy. One study showed that CBD was very effective in reducing the frequency of epileptic seizures when given orally to dogs and cats.

Finally, CBD oil has been shown to have antibacterial properties; this is because it targets amoebas that cause bacteria-induced diseases such as giardia or E. coli that can often affect your pet’s health.

Is it safe to give your pet CBD oil? 

In general, CBD oil has not been associated with any serious side effects in humans or pets. In fact, the American Veterinary Medical Association has stated that CBD products pose little to no danger to animals that have been used in clinical trials. However, it is always best to consult with your veterinarian first before giving them CBD oil. This will help you identify the right dosage for your pet and will also ensure that you are using a reputable product.

The most common way to give CBD oil to pets is by adding it to their food or water. However, you can also try topical applications such as creams or lotions for pets who suffer from joint pain and inflammation or arthritis.

What Other Pet Health Problems Can CBD Oil Treat?

In addition to seizures and anxiety, CBD oil can treat many different types of pet ailments that are caused by inflammation and pain such as skin problems and cancer. In fact, CBD oil has been shown to help protect pets from cancer-causing cells that can be found in tobacco smoke.

“A vet in California who treats one of our employees’ dogs said that her clients are curious about using CBD for their animals’ general wellness as well as some of the following conditions: cancer; epilepsy and seizures; stress and anxiety; digestion and nausea; pain and inflammation due to joint problems; aging and degenerative diseases; and skin inflammation and allergies,” says Michael Flemmens, the VP of Technical Business Development at SōRSE Technology in Seattle. 

CBD products can also help prevent kidney disease in pets that are at risk of developing some form of the disease by reducing oxidative stress inside their bodies. This is because CBD products help boost the immune system within your pet’s body. In addition to these benefits, CBD products have been associated with helping improve symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease in pets and may also lower blood pressure levels.

How much CBD oil should you give your pet?

You can give your pet a dose of CBD oil that is higher than the recommended dose for a human. The amount of CBD oil you give your pet will vary based on the product you are using and the severity of their symptoms. Generally, the recommended dosage for dogs is about 1 gram per 100 pounds while the suggested dosage for cats is between 10-20 milligrams per day.

“Before purchasing a CBD product for your pet, I’d recommend consulting with your veterinarian first. If your pet is taking other supplements or drugs, it’s important to know how the CBD might interact with them. Your vet might also be able to discuss the format and dosage that would be best for your pet,” says Flemmens.

Can CBD oil be a substitute for pharmaceutical drugs? 

While there are many benefits to using cannabis products such as CBD oil, it should be noted that they do not have any active ingredients that act like drug medications. For example, CBD oil can be used to treat pain but it cannot be used to treat cancer.

There are some medications that may interact with cannabis products so it is always best to talk with your veterinarian before using CBD products. However, in most cases, providing your pet with a natural medicine such as CBD oil does not pose a serious risk to your pet in terms of their health.

Is CBD oil right for your pet?

Some pets may have an adverse reaction when they are given a marijuana product. When you give your pet CBD oil, they may experience some side effects that may include drowsiness, dry or red eyes, decreased appetite, or nausea in some cases. It is always best to speak with your veterinarian before giving your pet CBD oil so they can identify the right dosage for your pet and will monitor them closely during their treatment. 

“If you think your pet might need CBD because they are anxious, have mobility problems, have digestive troubles, or are experiencing other health issues, I’d recommend talking to your vet first about giving them CBD before choosing a product,” says Flemmens. 

If you think that your pet may have an adverse reaction after using cannabis products, you should call their veterinarian right away just in case there is an issue and they need emergency treatment for the situation.

“If you talk to your vet, do know that they can’t legally prescribe CBD because it has not yet been approved by the FDA,” adds Flemmens. 

What are the best places to purchase CBD products for pets?

In terms of where to buy products, many pet stores are carrying CBD, and there are plenty of options online as well. If a consumer is new to CBD, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out what the difference is between all of the products on the market today. Talking to your local pet store owner or a store employee about the CBD brands they carry and why they carry them can help narrow the choices down. 

Flemmens suggests that whether you are purchasing products in store or online, do some research before buying. He recommends asking and answering the following questions before making a purchase:

  • Are the products made with organic ingredients? 
  • Are the products pesticide, fungicide and solvent-free? 
  • Does the product have a Certificate of Analysis (COA)? 

“The COA is a document provided by the manufacturer that verifies how much CBD is in that product. You want to get the CBD you pay for, and the COA will verify that,” concludes Flemmens. 

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