Benefits of Giving CBD to Your Pet

You probably have heard of CBD or cannabidiol and the potential health benefits it provides humans. You may have seen various CBD products and CBD oils being sold at health and wellness stores and medical cannabis dispensaries. However, you may not know that dogs and cats can benefit from CBD just like humans.

What Is CBD?

CBD is made from the hemp plant’s leaves, stalks, and flowers. It can also be found in cannabis plants. Regardless of where it is sourced, CBD only contains trace amounts of THC—the psychoactive chemical predominantly found in marijuana. CBD derived from hemp plants contains almost no THC but far more CBD.

What Does CBD Do in Dogs and Cats?

Administering CBD to your dog or cat has similar effects as it does on humans. Pet owners can use CBD to treat a wide range of ailments and conditions, such as:

  • Seizures – CBD interacts with the brain neurons and neurotransmitters that trigger seizures. It causes an increase in the neurotransmitter GABA, which helps inhibit and reduce the frequency of seizures.
  • Pain – CBD can help reduce pain by inhibiting nerve endings and pain receptors.
  • Arthritis – CBD and hemp oils can be used to help treat arthritis. CBD can be applied directly to the joints or taken orally to bring relief.
  • Chronic Pain – CBD products and oils have been used to treat chronic pain as part of pain management.
  • Inflammation – CBD has been used as an anti-inflammatory to reduce inflammation and swelling.
  • Anxiety – CBD could help reduce anxiety and help your pet relax.
  • Insomnia – If your pet has problems sleeping, giving them CBD could help them get more restful sleep.
  • Cancer – CBD can be used to help alleviate some of the discomfort brought about by cancer. If you decide to start your pet on a cancer treatment plan, CBD also helps alleviate many of the side effects found with cancer treatments.
  • Dementia – While CBD cannot reverse the effects of dementia, it has shown some promise in slowing the symptoms associated with this condition.
  • Nausea and Digestive Problems – Hemp-derived CBD can help with nausea and digestive problems by alleviating the symptoms.
  • Boosts Appetite – If you put CBD oil on dog treats or cat treats, it could help stimulate your pet’s appetite. CBD doesn’t give you the munchies like THC. However, it calms the nervous system and improves digestion, so your pet will feel like eating more often.
  • High Blood Pressure – CBD can help lower blood pressure in pets diagnosed with high blood pressure.

As you can see, there are many benefits of CBD oil and reasons to give it to your dog or cat when you want to treat various conditions naturally.

Are There Any Side Effects of CBD in Pets?

CBD is a relatively safe product with very few adverse side effects. However, pet owners need to be aware of the potential side effects when considering giving it to their dogs or cats.

  • Reduced Blood Pressure – Giving too much CBD to your pet can cause a temporary drop in their blood pressure. Even though the drop is only temporary, your pet can have problems walking and balancing because they can feel dizzy until their blood pressure returns to normal.
  • Increased Drowsiness – When you are using CBD for anxiety or pain, you may notice your pet seems a bit sluggish because of the calming effects of CBD. Most of the time, your pet will just take a nap and, when they wake up, be full of energy.
  • Increased Thirst – CBD can cause dry mouth in dogs and cats because it reduces the amount of saliva produced. So, you want to make sure your pet has access to plenty of fresh water.
  • Diarrhea – Some pets will experience diarrhea as a side effect of CBD when they first start receiving it.
  • Nausea and Vomiting – Sometimes, pets simply do not react well to CBD and could become nauseated and vomit.

If you try CBD and your dog or cat experiences any side effects, you may want to discontinue usage or reduce their dosage.

How Much CBD Should I Give My Pet?

It depends on the type of CBD product you want to use. If you are giving your pet treats with CBD already in them, you should start off by only giving them a small amount to see how they react.

If you are using CBD or hemp oil, then you want to start with one or two drops. Again, you want to start out with a small amount of oil and then monitor its effects before making adjustments. You could also consult with your veterinarian to see if they have any recommendations or further advice.

What Type of CBD Products and Oils Are Best for My Pet?

The first thing you need to remember is not all CBD products are created equal. There are differences between what you will find on the market. You want to look for high-quality full-spectrum CBD.

Full-spectrum CBD products are made using multiple parts of the hemp plant or cannabis plant to improve the purity of the CBD oil or extract. So, by looking for this type of CBD, you will know you are giving your pet the highest-quality CBD.

Another thing you want to verify is whether the CBD is organic. Organic is better for pets because the plants were not exposed to harmful chemicals, pesticides, solvents, or fungicides.

Next, you will want to shop around and never base your purchasing decisions on the price of the CBD. The best quality CBD products will cost more. Furthermore, it will be free of additives, which you do not want. Lower-priced CBD products could contain additives, including herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals. Not to mention, it could be watered down and contain very little CBD whatsoever.

You can request certificates from the supplier or manufacturer of the CBD products you want to buy. The certificates show the amount of CBD in each of the products. The certificate will also show the amount of THC in the products. You want products that contain 0.03% or less THC.

Last, while there are plenty of CBD products with CBD already in them, like pet treats, it is often better to buy CBD in a liquid form, such as an oil, extract, or tincture. This way, you can control the amount of CBD you give your pet until you see how they react to it.

Quality Cat Doors and Dog Doors for Your Home

We hope you have enjoyed learning more about CBD for your dog or cat and the potential benefits it can provide. If you are looking for a modern cat door or dog door for your house, we invite you to explore our range of pet doors you can install in doors, walls, windows, sliding glass doors, and more.

If you have further questions or need assistance in selecting the correct style and size pet door, please feel free to contact Australia Pet Doors at 0437-644-330 today!

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