What is pet CBD? CBD is a naturally occurring plant-based compound in Cannabis sativa. It is extracted from the plant and does not contain any THC. As it does not contain THC, it is perfectly safe for pets. On this page, we are taking a look at the many health benefits of pet CBD products. As far as natural pet remedies go, it is generally safe. But, if your pet is on any blood thinning medication such as clopidogrel, you should avoid it unless your pet’s vet says it is okay. It has blood thinning properties that may interfere with blood thinning medication. Also, discontinue 7 days before your dog is going into surgery. That being said, general fish oils, green lipped muscle extract, and Omega 3 also have blood thinning properties. All three are best avoided when your pet is receiving blood thinning medication and should be discontinued before surgery.
TL;DR – Pet CBD products are highly recommended by vets for certain symptoms, like pain and anxiety. Ask your vet for more information if you are interested in using this form of cannabidiol for your pets.
Is CBD for Pets Good? Is it Safe?
It seems that CBD is safe for most pets. Compared to many other natural remedies that are available for pets, it is very “user-friendly.”
What we often forget is that many of the pets in our homes are omnivores. They can survive on diets containing both meat and plant-based foods.
CBD is quickly absorbed by your pet’s digestive system. Unlike prescription subscribed veterinary medications, the digestive system recognizes CBD as a natural compound. As such, it is quickly absorbed and put to good use.
If your pet is in pain or experiencing distress, placing drops of CBD on its tongue or underneath its tongue, releases the CBD much faster into your pet’s bloodstream. In case of anxiety, you can rub CBD oil on your pet’s gums. This is another way of releasing CBD quickly into your pet’s blood stream.
How To Use Pet CBD – Dosages
There are many forms of pet CBD. You can buy it as an oil, or you can try hemp dog treats. If you have not tried it before, it is best to start off slowly. CBD can probably aid in correcting a range of pet health problems.
There is no standard dose of CBD for pets that has been established, yet.
That said, the AKC recommends “Aim for about 0.1 to 0.2 mg per kilogram of your dog’s weight, given twice daily by mouth.”
Most cat informational sites recommend 1-5 mg of CBD for your cat, per serving.
Many pet owners have found it helps to treat a range of pet medical conditions and illnesses.
You can place the drops directly in your dog’s mouth, add them to his food or treats. On a hot day, your pet can benefit from having CBD added to its water bowl.
You can also give your own CBD drops to your dog or cat – just make sure it is a broad spectrum product so there isn’t any THC in it. CBD isolate products will suffice, too.
Is There a Difference Between Human CBD Oil and Dog CBD Oil?
As long as the CBD oil products don’t contain sugar or THC, it is fine to give ‘human’ CBD products to your dog.
Don’t give them too much, though. Sometimes the CBD products made for humans contain a higher dose than something like a CBD dog treat would.
What Is Pet CBD Good For?
Related read: Is CBD Good for Dogs?
CBD for pets can treat a range of health conditions and illnesses. As CBD is a relatively new pet remedy, more research is needed as with human CBD. However, so far, many pet owners are saying that CBD for pets have shown clear benefits when it comes to their pets’ health.
Pet health condition and illnesses CBD may help:
- Pain
- Anxiety
- All forms of arthritis
- Stomach problems
- Digestive problems
- Immune health
- Heart
- Stress
- Depression
- Behavorial problems
- Inflammation
- Possibly cancer
- Airway problems
- Eye sight
- Skin conditions
- Allergies and eczema
- Sleeping problems
This list is not all inclusive. There are possibly many other pet health conditions and illnesses CBD can help offer relief from. Arthritis in the paws is a very common health condition in larger and heavier dogs.
If you find that your pet has developed arthritis in any joint, CBD is perfectly safe to use alongside chondroitin and glucosamine.
How Much Is Safe to Give to My Pet?
You need to bear in mind your pet’s weight. For a large size dog such as German Shepherd, it is safe to give .2mg of CBD per kilogram of your dogs bodyweight.
Just like when it comes to humans, it is important to find out how much your pet tolerates. For instance, if you have a cat that is struggling, a couple of drops in its water or on a favorite treat would help.
Can you give it to cats? CBD is fine for cats and many other furry pets. On the other side, it may not be safe to give it to other pets including lizards and snakes. Their metabolism work slightly differently and CBD can possibly lower their body temperature.
Can I Use CBD As an Emergency Remedy?
If your pet is suffering from anxiety, it is perfectly safe to administer CBD to the pet. But, if your pet is bleeding or suffering blood loss for another reason, you should not give it CBD. As mentioned previously, CBD thins the blood and can make bleeding worse.
When your pet is experiencing bleeding, it is important to get him to a vet as soon as possible.
What Time Of The Day Is the Best Time to Give My Pet CBD?
When you are using CBD as a medical remedy for pets, the best time for a CBD product would be before it has its breakfast. For the CBD to achieve it maximum effect, wait for 30 minutes and then give your pet its food. That way, you have allowed the pet to absorb the CBD.
This method of administering CBD applies to giving it with a treat or directly into the mouth. If your pet needs a “top up” during the day, you should also make sure you allow 30 minutes before you give any food.
How Long Until I See an Improvement?
Related read: How Long Does it Take CBD to Work on My Dog?
It is hard to say. Many pet owners say that they have noticed positive side effects quickly. On the other hand, as it is a natural remedy, the CBD may need time to build up. This is particularly true when it comes to inflammatory disease.
Inflammatory diseases are not remedied in pets overnight. The same goes for humans. First inflammation needs to reduce and the inflammatory response needs to lower. Adding a higher dosage may not help.
Can You Give Dogs Human CBD Oil for Anxiety?
Sure, you can. Like we’ve said before, though, make sure there is no THC in it. Dogs cannot tolerate THC as well as humans do, even if it is in tiny amounts. Stick with broad spectrum CBD or CBD isolate products if you are going to give your dog CBD for anxiety, though.
Can Your Dogs Use the Same CBD Gummies for Pain Relief That You Use?
As long as the gummies are as natural as possible, and contain no THC in them, it would be fine for your pet to use the same CBD gummies for pain relief that you yourself use. Make sure that you get the dosing right, though. Generally, one gummy is one serving
Each gummy will have a set amount of CBD in it. For example, New Phase Blends CBD gummies contain 45 mg of CBD per gummy, which would be a bit too much for a pet to consume.
Summary
What is pet CBD? It is an alternative natural pet remedy that has a range of health benefits for your pet. CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it is found within cannabis plants. Most legal CBD is hemp-derived, though.
It is safe to use on a long term basis and benefits both young and senior pets.
American Kennel Club: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/does-cbd-work-for-dogs/
Cornell Veterinary School: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/
Forbes Magazine: https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilyearlenbaugh/2020/07/01/cbd-for-dogs-new-research-backs-canine-cannabis-use-for-osteoarthritis/
