I Love CBD, but Should I Give it to My Pet?
In 2018, The Farm Bill legalized hemp-derived CBD, and analysts predict the industry will reach $20 billion in the United States by 2025. Pet-specific products are projected to reach $125 million by the end of 2022 making them the industry’s fastest-growing segment.
So, you’ve experienced positive results from the use of CBD and if you are like me, you want others, including your beloved furry friends to benefit as well. I love my dog and want her to live the best and healthiest life, I imagine that other pet owners feel the same. Proper food, exercise, grooming, wellness check-ups, and pet insurance, are all a part of being a loving and responsible pet owner.
What Types of CBD Can I Give My Pet?
Just as they are available for human use or consumption, CBD products for animals come in the form of edibles or topicals. These products have been known to help relieve pain and anxiety, resulting in overall better health for both humans and pets.
This raises the question, is CBD the right choice for my pet?
I give my dog CDB for joint support and to reduce anxiety through the use of chews or tinctures. I find these products are effective and trust a naturally derived solution for her ailments. Dog Chews make for a tasty treat and applying a tincture to her food has eliminated the struggle of getting her to take a daily pill.
CBD and THC are psychoactive and it is essential to understand the difference between them, even though both come from the cannabis plant.
CBD is different than THC. CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid, or phytocannabinoid. These can have the same effect that naturally occurring compounds in the human body can have that are known as endocannabinoids.
Benefits of Pet CBD
It's unclear as to the specific benefits animals receive from CBD, researchers are still studying the impacts on humans as well. Humans and dogs have an endocannabinoid system, but whether or not CBD interacts with it in the same way experts think it does in humans remains to be seen. All that is known for now is that in dogs, like in humans, CBD appears to be metabolized by the liver and individual results vary.
If your pet is susceptible to or has liver issues, CBD may not be the right choice for you. Do not give your animal any product for its health without prior consultation from a trusted veterinarian.
THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, found in the cannabis plant and known for its psychoactive properties. A less scientific way to describe THC would be the part of the cannabis plant that gives humans the feeling of being “buzzed”.
THC is known to cause a toxic and fatal reaction for animals. Under no circumstances should an animal consume products containing THC, in the case that your furry friend is exposed, contact a veterinarian immediately for guidance.
Consult Your Veterinarian
Before incorporating any supplement into your pet’s health regimen, do some research, speak with other pet owners, and always consult your veterinarian. It is advised when selecting a CBD product for your pet; to read the COA(Certificate of Analysis) to ensure it has been tested for purity, free of THC, and harmful contaminants.