As much as people love CBD, it should come as no surprise that the excitement has moved into pet shops and veterinary clinics. Pets suffer from pain, inflammation, seizures and anxiety just like people do. They also have the same endocannabinoid system that humans do—meaning they can benefit from CBD in many of the same ways.
Is CBD Safe For Animals?
CBD isn’t psychoactive, so you don’t have to worry about your pet getting high while on it. But owners may still have some concerns about whether it will have any negative health effects. Unfortunately, the answer is unknown. Cannabis health research is already behind by decades. It’s unlikely that anyone will be prioritizing research into how CBD affects cats and dogs while there is still so little known about how it affects humans.
How Does It Affect Pets?
But it should be noted that all mammals share similar endocannabinoid systems. This system is how cannabis interfaces with the body, regulating certain functions and causing all of the positive health effects that are associated with the drug.
Since mammals and most other animals share this system, they should theoretically respond to cannabis in a similar—if not exactly the same—way that humans do. So cannabinoids like THC and CBD should have the same affect on your pet as it does on you.
Are There Any Dangers?
Since there’s no research available on the topic, it’s unclear what negative effects consuming the compound can have on your pet. Knowing what we do about the endocannabinoid system, however, it can be assumed that all the negative effects that CBD has on humans will also be felt by your animal. The American Kennel Club says pets could experience dry-mouth, drowsiness or lowered blood pressure while under the influence of CBD.
Paying attention to dosing is also critical when giving CBD to your pets. Animals are much smaller than humans and will require much smaller doses to get the same effects. Read up on recommended dosages for animals the size of your pet, but keep in mind that there are no official dosage recommendations out there, so you’ll still have to use your best judgment.
Buying Pet CBD
Shopping for pet CBD is easier than ever. Most CBD shops carry some sort of animal treat, and online shops offer an even wider variety of choices. Pet CBD products come in almost as wide a range as human products, and CBD-infused pet treats, extracts and topical products are simple to find. Most of these products have specialized formulas that will deliver the proper dosage to your pet based on species and size.
This is great news for pet owners since CBD is believed to treat depression, anxiety, pain and inflammation. A little CBD oil can go a long way in helping our furry loved ones with their health issues.
(Office dog Scout About approves this message.)