Last modified on October 16th, 2020 at 3:14 am
What To Know If You Want To Give Your Pet CBD
For a lot of people, a pet is precious. Dogs, in particular, provide an incredible level of loyalty and joy to their owners in general. One pet owner survey found that in 2019, there were almost 90 million dogs owned in the United States. This number is exceeded by the number of cats, which is nearly 96 million.
Small wonder then that companies are paying more attention to their CBD for pets range. There is no consensus opinion on whether CBD for dogs or cats is useful or safe. At present, there is no conclusive scientific data on the efficacy of CBD for pets. We are mainly relying on anecdotal evidence from owners who claim their pets enjoy relief from pain and anxiety after using CBD.
How Can CBD Work on My Pet?
We only became aware of the human endocannabinoid system (ECS) relatively recently. The belief is that cannabinoids such as CBD interact with cannabinoid (CB) receptors in the ECS. This interaction could help with a variety of issues. It so happens that animals have an ECS too. Even primitive animals have one. It means that animals also have CB receptors.
The likelihood is that your pet processes the CBD differently from humans. This is one of the critical issues that’s currently the subject of research. However, researchers believe that animals probably have the necessary mechanisms to benefit from CBD like humans. In theory, CBD for pets could help with anxiety, pain, and inflammation in animals.
While it appears as if CBD for pets is potentially useful, the same cannot be said for THC. Dogs, cats, and other animals will suffer from an intoxicating high if they consume THC. Adverse effects include loss of coordination, hypersensitivity to touch, incontinence, and vomiting. Animals may also have a lower temperature than usual, and a higher heart rate. Getting high on cannabis is probably going to be an extremely frightening experience for your pet.
Does This Mean CBD for Dogs Is Safe?
Not necessarily. Remember, we still need to learn more from research. The FDA hasn’t approved CBD, and there is no ‘dosing’ chart for humans or animals. Studies into large amounts of CBD in humans suggest that we can handle at least 1500mg of CBD a day without significant side effects.
We have no idea whether CBD for pets is toxic, or what could constitute a poisonous dose. It is almost certainly a level significantly below what humans can handle. Beyond that, however, there is little data. If you give CBD to your pet, monitor their reaction closely.
If there are any adverse effects, there are likely as follows:
- Lower Blood Pressure: In humans, extremely high doses of CBD could lead to a sudden drop in blood pressure. This may result in a temporary feeling of light-headedness.
- Dry Mouth: There is evidence that large doses of CBD could decrease the production of saliva. If this happens to your dog or cat, a likely side effect is increased thirst.
- Drowsiness: Many pet owners use CBD to help alleviate feelings of anxiety in their dog or cat. However, the potential calming effect may also lead to drowsiness.
CBD for Pets – What to Look for
Given the negative impact of THC on pets, it makes sense to opt for products with minimal amounts of that particular cannabinoid. If you purchase a full-spectrum product, for example, make sure the THC level is as close to zero as possible. Otherwise, buy CBD for pets that use CBD isolate or are broad-spectrum. Both options are free from THC.
What’s concerning is the lack of regulation in the market. Therefore, you need to make sure you buy CBD for dogs from a reputable brand that offers third-party lab reports. Carefully peruse this documentation to make sure the product in question is extremely low in THC. It should also have proof that there are no solvents, fungicides, or pesticides.
CBD for pets is potentially expensive. However, when the health of your dog or cat is at stake, it is unwise to penny-pinch. Top-quality brands may charge a little more, but it is definitely worth the extra expenditure.
Premium Jane is one of the top-rated companies in the entire CBD sphere. It now has a couple of CBD products for pets. The brand has ensured that these items contain the same high-quality CBD as what it sells to humans.
It sells CBD oil containing 250mg of the cannabinoid. Each drop contains around 0.4mg of CBD, so you have an idea of how much you’ve given your pet. Your dog will love the wonderful bacon flavor. Premium Jane also sells CBD dog treats, with 5mg of cannabidiol in each one. You can learn more about these products, and Premium Jane’s Satisfaction Guarantee, on its website.