CBD for Pets

Description:

CBD (cannabidiol) comes from the hemp plant. As with other compounds found within, CBD has been found to offer therapeutic effects.⁽¹⁾ Aside from offering benefits to humans, CBD is used to help pets who suffer from osteoarthritis, anxiety, seizures, cancer, and conditions related to the immune system.

How it’s Made:

CBD oil is created by extracting cannabidiol from the flowers and buds of hemp or marijuana plants. The plant cannabis sativa can be classified as either hemp or marijuana, depending on the amount of THC, the chemical that creates a high when consumed, in it.

Advantages:

What Types of Pet Conditions Are Treated By CBD?

Research is ongoing, yet doctors and owners use CBD to treat conditions including the following:

– Anxiety
– Behavioral disorders
– Alleviation of cancer symptoms
– Seizure disorders
– Diseases of the immune system

Disadvantages:

One of the most substantial impediments to widespread CBD use is the lack of regulatory oversight for such products. Even when CBD is extracted from hemp and not marijuana, the plant from which it is derived, there are no legal standards in place to ensure that the products available on the market actually contain any cannabidiol at all or that they do not contain harmful additives or contaminants.

History:

In 1940, an American chemist discovered the CBD cannabinoid. Scientists in the 1960s explored the potency of cannabinoids in the United States and on animals, including mice and primates. In 1970, however, strict hemp laws were passed criminalizing the possession, production, and use of all forms of cannabis. These laws inhibited scientists and researchers from exploring the plant further, diminishing the potential for further studies on humans and animals. As hemp laws and technology have advanced, so has our knowledge of the CBD cannabinoid and its effect on the endocannabinoid system of humans and animals.

Looking to the Future:

Cannabis presents new opportunities in the consumer packaged goods sector of the U.S. economy, but one of those opportunities—the development and sale of cannabis products for pets—is just as promising.

CBD for Pets FAQs

Will CBD Get My Pet High?

No, unlike THC, CBD does not offer psychological effects or “a high.” Therefore, you cannot “overdose” or take “too much” of CBD. You may provide your pet more than is needed to reach sought benefits, but you cannot give your pet too much. So, a negative related to dosage would be giving your pet too little to achieve the desired beneficial effect.⁽²⁾

How Long Will It Take for My Pet to Feel Benefits?

Each pet’s journey with CBD is different. However, for pain or anxiety, you may see a reaction/relief in about 15 to 30 minutes. You may need to observe your pet’s behavior in contrast to their baseline behavior to see if your pet is affected.

Can a Pet Be Too Old or Young for CBD?

There are no general restrictions related to a pet’s age and how CBD can influence a pet’s endocannabinoid system.⁽³⁾ However, it’s best to consult your pet’s physician about your intentions.

Can you Explain Terpenes and Cannabinoids?

Terpenes are responsible for a plant’s smell. The cannabis plant produces dozens of terpenes. Some believe that hemp oil containing all the cannabinoids and terpenes extracted from cannabis offers more benefits. ⁽⁴⁾ This is more beneficial than isolating cannabinoids. The synergy between compounds is referred to as the “entourage effect.” ⁽⁵⁾

Consult your about different varieties of CBD. Full-spectrum CBD are the least refined and contain the most terpenes and cannabinoids. CBD isolate is the most refined. Broad-spectrum products contain plant material but offer a milder taste than full-spectrum products.