Since a significant portion of the world is on government-mandated lockdown, there has been a rise of reports of our pets loving the extra attention and time spent. For many of us, our pets are family and we care for them immensely. We want to make sure that they are healthy and protected from any dangers in and around your home which could potentially harm them. CBD has been a hot topic in the realm of natural pet remedies. Some confusion over CBD’s safety for our furry friends has come from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) not allowing for CBD products to be labeled for both human and animal use. We seek to clear up this confusion and take a wider look at CBD and its benefits for pets.
Quick Refresher – What Is CBD?
CBD (short for Cannabidiol) oil is a naturally occurring chemical compound extracted primarily from the hemp plant. There is still some confusion around hemp and CBD oil’s legality. Hemp and marijuana derive from the Cannabis sativa plant. However, Marijuana has high levels of THC, (Tetrahydrocannabinol), a naturally occurring chemical compound and produces the psychoactive “high” experienced when consumed. On the other hand, hemp has an extremely low THC content, meaning that CBD has no ability to intoxicate you.
How Does Human and Pet CBD Differ?
There is basically no real difference between human and pet CBD oil-based products. The two are mostly interchangeable, meaning that CBD oil is generally considered safe for pets to take human CBD oil, and vice versa. The difference between CBD products for humans and pets tends to come in the flavouring of products. For example, CBD products made for dogs may use flavouring which is meant to taste and smell like bacon or other meat. As with your own CBD consumption, make sure that you are comfortable with the company you are purchasing your pet’s CBD products. The quality of the CBD that you and your pet are ingesting dictates its potential benefits and side effects.
What Benefits Can a Pet Receive From Taking CBD?
Studies show that all of CBD’s potential health benefits for humans are equally found to help pets. While more research is being conducted daily, CBD has been found to help the following ailments:
- Symptoms of cancer
- Anxiety
- Joint pain
- Seizures
- Appetite stimulation
Are There Any Potential Side Effects that Pets Can Experience?
While CBD is generally considered safe for pets, a few minor side effects that were identified in animals that took part of a study. Stephanie McGrath, a veterinary neurologist at Colorado State University based in Fort Collins, managed a study that reviewed potential side effects that occurred when giving CBD to 30 different beagles.
“Overall, the product was well tolerated clinically,” noted McGrath. “However, clinically significant adverse effects, particularly diarrhea and elevations in serum ALP levels, are noteworthy and warrant further discussion and research.” Alkaline phosphatase, known better as ALP, is a protein found in body tissues that plays a large role in bone development and liver function.
Although CBD is generally safe for animals, you must avoid giving your pet too high a dosage, especially for smaller dogs and cats. As always, read the product label to understand the full range of side effects and whether your pet may be affected.
How To Give CBD To Your Pet
Assuming that your pet is not a fussy eater, your pet can take CBD the same way that we do. The most straight forward way of administering it would be via a dropper by mixing it into their food (wet food is slightly more effective) or by soaking it into a treat.
If you would like more information about how CBD can benefit your pet’s life, please contact us at hello@serenitybox.com
